The key difference between creche and preschool is that a creche is a place where babies, toddlers, and children are looked after when their parents are at work or not around, whereas a preschool is a place that provides education for children between the ages of three to five or six years.
Although children in creches do not have an age limit, children who receive preschool education are between three years to six years. But this may vary from one country to another.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Creche
3. What is a Preschool
4. Creche vs Preschool in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Creche vs Preschool
What is a Creche?
A creche is a daycare center where babies and children are cared for throughout the day when their parents are at work or when they are not around. The children are taken care of by trained supervisors with the assistance of caretakers. The children can eat, play, and rest in a creche. Creches run from morning to evening until the parent returns from their workplaces. Many parents who engage in jobs tend to use creche when they go to work.
There are private creches as well as company creches. Some companies provide creches for their employees. Children get the opportunity to develop their cognitive skills while they are in a creche. Therefore, like schools and nurseries, creches also focus on the development of the children. They basically focus on physical development activities, reading activities, and creative activities. Most of the time, in creches, children are encouraged to have a nap after lunch. Thus, children are able to spend their time freely and interactively while developing their skills when they are under the shelter of a creche.
What is a Preschool?
In preschools, children are provided with an education and experience to make them ready to receive primary education. Activities related to the development of early childhood of children are conducted in these institutes. The age limit for preschool entrance starts from four to six years, and this may vary from one country to another according to regional locations. There are well-trained and qualified teachers in preschools to teach children.
Preschools are open for three to four hours of the day and do not run for long hours. In preschools, children are provided with the opportunity to learn while playing. Through this combination, they receive the chance to develop their cognitive skills, problem-solving skills, as well as self-confidence. Not only learning skills but also social interactions of the students are also highly improved through preschool education.
What is the Difference Between Creche and Preschool?
The key difference between creche and preschool is that a creche provides shelter for babies, toddlers, and children throughout the day when their parents are at work, whereas preschools provide education for children between four to six before they receive compulsory education. The other difference between creche and preschool is that the age of children who go for creche varies between a large range, starting from two weeks to six years, while the age limit for preschool education starts from four to six years. This age limit can be different from one country to another.
Moreover, although creches provide time to have a nap during the day, preschools do not encourage children to have naps during the learning time. Whatever the difference, both creches and preschools provide skill-developing activities, making the children more interactive.
Below is a summary of the difference between creche and preschool in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Creche vs Preschool
The key difference between creche and preschool is that a creche provides caring for the children, including babies and toddlers, when their parents are at work or when they are absent, whereas preschools provide education for the children, making them prepared to receive the formal education.
Reference:
1. “Crèches and Daycare Centres.” BabyCenter India.
2. “Preschool Education – Modern Theories.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Daycare Attendee” By Shadowguy97 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Kid-toys-play-preschool-childhood” (CC0) via Pixabay