Preschool, Daycare, Learning Center???

I think for the most part they are the same... Oh, and you forgot one... "learning boutique"... Yes, my daughter attended a "learning boutique" that had a preschool program. I thought it was hilarious, but it was a great NAEYC accreditate center. My center was open from 7a-7p, which I thought was great.

I don't think you can judge a program based on what they call themselves, and I don't think what they call themselves necessarily reflects the purpose, objectives, or quality of the program.Both my boys attended a private preschool at a church, and they call it their "Child Development Center."I visited several different settings before deciding which way I wanted to go. I knew I wanted 2, 3 or 5 day options (so the kids could go less than a full week as 2-3 year olds and ramp up to 5 days for pre-K), and that I only wanted a half-day program (9 to 1). I knew I wanted a program that was geared toward preparing them for kindergarden - this program works closely with the kindy teachers at the local school, so they know what the expectations/requirements are and plan their pre-K learning accordingly. Finally, I knew I wanted a program that teaches certain values and handles behavior issues a certain way, so I looked for a good fit in that regard as well.I think all programs will let you visit - if they don't I wouldn't consider them. It can really give you a good idea of what goes on there and it's a great way to get a feel for which program(s) will be a good fit with your needs/wants/expectations.Cate

Absolutely....what PP said. Sometimes the title has to do with what ages they have.....I know for the most part, development centers, learning centers start their programs and licensing from 6 weeks up through Kindergarten, some have kinder and 1st grade as well. My DD is at one of those at the moment. The preschool I will eventually change her to is a good preschool associated with my church, has a solid reputation with licensing and word of mouth, but they are only licensed from 2 years to 5 years old. So since my DD is 14 mo old, she has to be at a different place that has the whole program from 6 weeks on until she's old enough to go to the preschool that I want her in.

In our area the "preschools" are typically half-day, school-year programs...these are often affliated with churches or K-12 private schools. They are more academic and are not really used as a daycare option for working parents...most of the children who attend have SAHMs or parents who work part-time or out of their homes. The child development centers, learning centers and daycares in our area are more geared toward working parents and offer full day hours (6-6:30 is typical around here).

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Daycare & Learning Center mean the same thing around here. They are you typical child care centers most aren't accredited educationally as a (preschool) My daycare actually is :) Preschool is typically done by our public school district, but its typically privately funded (pay tuition). Unless your child has a delay then it's free beginning at 3 years old. My Daycare hours are 6-6. The previous please we were at was 6-6:30.

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My daughter goes to a tutoring center after school for homework help, etc. I actually asked the woman who runs it about the difference and she said that there are different regulations/licenscing requirements since she isn't open all day like a daycare would be (she's open in the morning and afternoon into evening, like 3-7). So some of it is the hours. There are probably different definitions based on this and different types of licensing. Daycares and "learning centers" are the same. Preschools have more limited hours, in my experience. Each state is different too. I live in Maryland.

I work in Licensing in my province in Canada and daycare, preschool and school age care all have different requirements in the legislation affecting hours of operation, staffing levels, staffing qualifications, number of children per group and age of the children. For example here: preschool - max 4 hours/day, staff ratio is 1:10, one staff must be provinicially certified Early Childhood educator, the other can be certified as an assistant, max group size is 20, children ages 3-5 with all becoming 3 before the end of Dec daycare - max 13 hours/day, staff ratio is 1:8, certified ECE must be present at all times, the second can be assistant and third can be "responsible adult (which has educational requirements too), max group size is 24, children age 3-5 with max 2 between 30 mo and 36 months school age care - can only operate at times of school closure ie. before and after, pro days etc, staff ratio is 1:10 if children in K and gr.1 are present, otherwise if gr.2+ then ratio is 1:15, max group also depends onthe grades attending, educational requirements are Responsible Adult so...hopefully if you are still questioning you can contact your local licensing office. We also put this information on our website for parents to access, since we don't expect them to know it or remember it between one child and the next!