Both daycare centres and kindergartens are institutions specifically designed for young children. However, they are two different institutions that serve different roles in a child's learning experience. They differ in the following ways.

Role in Child's Development

Daycare is an institution whose main goal is to offer supervision and care for young children when their parents are out of reach. It offers parents a safe environment to leave their children and provides the necessary environment, guidance and recreational activities.

On the other hand, a kindergarten is a form of preschool where children between the ages of three and five go to. It serves as the first school for most children. It helps children learn more about the environment around them and introduces them to schooling.

Hours of Operation

A daycare mainly offers care for a child in the absence of their legal parents or guardians. Therefore, the parent can drop off their child and pick them up later after work, errands or when they become available. So, a child can be in a daycare centre for a few hours.

In contrast, a kindergarten is a form of preschool where the child learns during their early years. Thus, they go either half-day or a full day, depending on the institution's operating hours.

Categories of the Institution

There are two main categories of daycare centres. It can either be a for-profit centre, which is owned by a group of individuals. A for-profit centre charges a fee and aims to make a profit. However, a license is needed to start a daycare centre. Alternatively, it can be a non-profit daycare centre managed by a municipal or local government, which tends to be cheaper than a for-profit centre.

In comparison, there are also two types of kindergarten. It can be a lower kindergarten designed for young children between the age of three and five, and the main focus of the kindergarten is on play-based activities. 

A kindergarten can also be an upper kindergarten, designed for older children from the age of five years. An upper kindergarten often focuses on offering an educational experience for the children.

Activities the Children Engage In

In a daycare centre, children are subjected to activities that promote their skills. Majorly, they focus on play and subject-based activities to increase the curiosity and skills of young children.

On the other hand, a kindergarten focuses on age-appropriate activities to help the children develop—for example, initial learning experiences like counting or saying out the alphabet in order.

Child education is important, and understanding the difference between a daycare centre and a kindergarten helps you, as a parent, make an informed decision. Contact a kindergarten to learn more.