Purpose and Structure of Day Care

• Day-care programs are typically intended primarily to provide supervision for your child while you are unavailable, such as during working hours. Day care may be in a specific building if run by a government or organization, or in a provider's residence.
  
  The structure of day-care programs varies greatly from program to program. Some day cares are structured to provide a safe place for unstructured play, nap time and meal times. In these environments, your child will benefit from learning to play with others and develop social skills. Some day cares also provide toilet training.
  
  Some more advanced day-care facilities focus more intently on child development. These programs will not only provide the same care as those previously mentioned, but they may work with your child on appropriate manners, routines, play skills (such as sharing and taking turns) and perhaps some early literacy skill by providing toys and other materials that allow children to become familiar with letters, words and sounds.
  
  

Purpose and Structure of Preschool

• The aim of preschool is to prepare your 3, 4 or 5 year old for the school environment. Children who attend preschool typically enter kindergarten prepared to learn and with background knowledge that other students may not have, as preschool students benefit from being in an environment intended for learning, instead of solely play.
  
  The preschool day is structured in order to provide routine for children. There are specific times for eating, napping, playing and engaging in learning activities. Often, preschools focus on building early literacy skills as well as background knowledge by having story times or "circle time," during which children engage in meaningful discussion or learning important information such as colors, shapes and numbers.
  
  During learning times, preschools focus not only on content, but on the skills necessary to be successful learners. Children are taught important listening skills as well as behaviors such as hand-raising and turn taking that will be crucial to their quick assimilation to the kindergarten classroom at age 5 or 6.
  
  Preschools also often incorporate music, memory games and structured centers into the day in order to engage children and provide more learning opportunities that are developmentally appropriate for young learners. Additionally, children in preschools are often encouraged to practice independence, from pouring their own juice to learning how to independently resolve conflict with classmates.
  
  

Experience and Credentials

• In a day-care facility, the minimum you should expect is that the provider, and any others who work for her that will be helping to take care of the children, is certified in CPR and first aid. The certification of the provider in these areas is crucial in order to ensure your child's safety.
  
  Depending upon the organization operating the day care, and in what state the day care is located, certification requirements may vary. Some states require day-care workers to have specific certifications, particularly a 90-Hour Childcare Certification. Of course, experience gained through coursework in Early Childhood Education is ideal, though rarely required.
  
  Most preschools will require that any lead teacher in the school have at least a 90-Hour Childcare Certification. Many preschools, including the government run Head Start programs, are now requiring a bachelor's degree in early childhood education in order to teach in a preschool. These schools are the most ideal environment if you are seeking a rich learning environment that will adequately prepare your child for kindergarten.
  
  

Costs

• For both types of programs, cost can vary tremendously. Day-care options can range from as low as $200 per month to well over $1,000 per month, depending on your location and the facility.
  
  Preschool programs can range in cost as well. Those that are operated by private corporations or are highly elite are likely to charge more, while some church or government-run programs can cost little or sometimes nothing.