Choosing a childhood education program is an important decision for parents.
An excellent early childhood education (ECE) program provides young children with the academic, social, and personal skills necessary to not just survive but thrive in school over the years to come.
But when it comes to choosing a program for your little one, where do you begin?
You’ve heard about preschool and pre-kindergarten, but what’s the difference? Is your youngster more suited to one than the other?
In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more so that you can make the best decision for your young learner moving forward.
Is pre k and preschool the same?
Both preschool and pre-k benefit children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. They both focus on learning combined with playtime to offer children a well-rounded education.
Both prepare children for the school years ahead, but while there are many similarities, there are also distinct differences that parents should know before making any significant decision.
Difference between pre-k and preschool
The significant difference between preschool and pre-k is the age at which children start. Preschool is typically 2 to 4 years old, while pre-k generally is 3 to 5.
However, age is not the only factor that determines school readiness. A child’s stage of development also comes into play as a factor in deciding which type of ECE is most suitable for them.
Note that all children develop at their own pace, so there’s no better or worse; no need to compare one child to another.
However, another major difference between both types of ECE is that preschool is more focused on playtime with some structure throughout the day, while pre-k is more academic. There is more focus on structured learning and development activities than free play.
These early years are full of rapid development, which is why you would notice a long list of differences between the average 2-year-old and the average 5-year-old.
A child’s stage of development influences how much they can learn and how well they will fare in a preschool or pre-kindergarten classroom setting.
What is preschool?
Preschool is a learning and development childcare program for children ages 2 to 4.
Learning occurs through simple activities and lessons, such as identifying letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. There is some structure to a typical preschool day, but the program is typically loose.
Group activities are common, and playtime is a large part of the school day.
While preschool doesn’t usually teach hard skills like math and science, they promote social skills, fine and gross motor skills development, and adherence to a general routine.
Preschools don’t usually run full-time. Most preschools operate three to four days a week and may finish early in the afternoon.
Some preschools can adapt to your needs to organize childcare support until you can arrange for someone to collect your little one from school, but this comes down to the capacity of each preschool.
What is pre-k?
Pre-k is an ECE aimed at slightly older children from 4 – 5 years old.
Unlike preschool, pre-k takes a more structured approach to the typical school day.
Students are introduced to more advanced learning, i.e., hard skills, such as math, science, and literature, and the school day typically reflects that of a typical school schedule.
The goal of pre-kindergarten programs is to prepare children for kindergarten and the structural, academic, and personal/emotional demands that come with it.
In general, it’s harder to enroll a child in pre-k than in preschool. Why? Because younger children or those whose development reflects a younger age will likely feel overwhelmed in a pre-k program learning environment.
Younger children and those who need more developmental support may struggle to keep up with the pace and demands of pre-k classes, so pre-k centers are usually strict on admission.
Again, the goal of pre-k is to ensure that a child is ready for the kindergarten classroom and the elementary school years that follow.
Is my child ready for pre-k?
You may be wondering if your little one is ready for pre-kindergarten education. As mentioned earlier, most pre-k programs require that children be slightly older than preschool age, so the enrollment period is around 4 to 5 years old.
However, we also mentioned that the stage of development is a significant factor in determining pre-k readiness.
So, what other factors do early childhood educators look at when deciding whether or not to accept a child into pre-k?
1. Attention
Is your little one able to sit still for long periods? Many children struggle for long periods, but sustaining attention is necessary during lessons.
If your child can demonstrate sustained attention and focus on tasks, these are good signs that they are suitable for pre-k.
2. Independence
Children are naturally strongly attached to parents and close caregivers, but attending preschool requires a level of comfort with being away from home for the school day and not seeing you or other close caregivers.
Of course, preschool is also ‘away from home,’ but hours are shorter, and attendance days are less frequent.
If your child struggles with proximity and attachment, they may be better suited to less formal and less frequent preschool than the more structured and longer hours in pre-k.
3. Personal skills
Potty training is a part of many preschool programs (but not all). So, if your child is still learning about basic skills like potty training, hand washing, and dressing themselves, they’re more suited to preschool than pre-k.
Preschool, in this context, works more like a daycare where these basic skills are taught (though it’s essential also to support these skills at home.)
Mastery of these skills is a standard prerequisite for admission into pre-k programs.
Is pre-kindergarten necessary?
Some parents worry about the quality of education they arrange for their children. They mistakenly believe pre-kindergarten is necessary for young children and that they’re at a loss without it.
While it’s true that pre-k means in-depth kindergarten prep and a chance to get started on early hard skills like math and science, it is not necessary.
Many children who only attend preschool and not pre-k still do incredibly well in kindergarten and school in general.
Although pre-k isn’t necessary for school success, there are evidence-based benefits that highlight the advantages of pre-kindergarten education.
The benefits of pre-k
One of the major benefits and most vital selling points for pre-k attendance is that it promotes school readiness.
School readiness refers to a child’s stage of development regarding linguistic, cognitive, behavioral, and social skills, all of which play a crucial role in their transition from home to a formal school setting and which help them perform in school at an optimal level.
What is school readiness?
The following dimensions largely determine school readiness:
- Literacy and language skills – vocabulary, receptive language skills, expressive language skills, reading ability
- Thinking skills – the concept of cause and effect, object permanence, curiosity about the world in general
- Self-control – understanding and application of appropriate behavior in the classroom, patience, development of problem-solving skills, ability to take turns
- Social and emotional well-being – confidence, self-esteem, eagerness to take on new challenges, ability to interact successfully with other children
When a child demonstrates ability and readiness per the areas outlined above, they’re likely to survive kindergarten and the school years after and thrive.
However, that’s not to say that preschool isn’t worth it. Preschool is a great learning environment that promotes social and behavioral skills that children still carry over into kindergarten and beyond.
Moreover, sometimes parents choose to enroll their child in preschool simply due to the child’s age and developmental stage.
Children can spend time in preschool, then move on to pre-k, or attend preschool and move straight into kindergarten and still have a chance to succeed and do well in school.
Conclusion
Pre-k and preschool are not the same. Pre-k is aimed at slightly older young children (3-5 years old), while preschool is aimed at a younger age bracket (2-4 years old).
In this context, age may just be a number, as a given 3-year-old may be further developed in some areas than a given 4-year-old. At the same, most pre-k programs wouldn’t admit a 2-year-old, while kids of that age are often accepted into preschool.
Determining your child’s preschool or pre-k readiness comes down to your child’s individual needs and development, so it’s wise to consult several sources before making a decision.
Visit early childhood centers with your child and prepare questions you may like to ask to help you figure out what’s best for your little one moving forward.