When it is time for your child to attend daycare or preschool, parents have a choice to make. This choice can be even more difficult depending on the work schedules of parents and how much or how little other family members are involved in your child’s life. For some, full-time daycare is the best option, while others prefer part-time preschool for their child. What is the best option for your child, Full-Time Daycare vs Part-Time Preschool?
When determining whether full-time daycare or part-time preschool is the better option for your child, several factors should be considered. Whether you select full-time care or part-time care, your child can develop new interpersonal skills, including cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
Full-Time Daycare vs Part-Time Preschool
Although both full-time daycare and part-time preschool provide a wide range of benefits for your child, the decision is yours. Depending on your living situation, lifestyle, and job, your child may require either part-time or full-time assistance.
For instance, your child may not have much experience being away from you on a daily basis. Also, your child may not have had much interaction with other children. If either of these is the case, a part-time preschool may be the better option. This is, in part, due to the child’s limited socialization and how part-time preschool can help prepare them for full-time daycare.
If your child is accustomed to being around multiple children and does not require constant supervision, full-time daycare may be the best choice. With full-time daycare, your child can continue their growth while learning new subjects and interacting with other kids.
The Benefits of Full-Time Daycare
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, early childhood interventions have been shown to improve educational success, health, social functioning, and economic well-being. This study revealed that a full-day preschool intervention was associated with increased school readiness skills, improved attendance, and reduced chronic absences compared to a part-time program.
Your child will participate in a structured routine alongside other children in a full-time daycare setting. There are many benefits of full-time daycare:
- Cognitive growth that promotes creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking
- Social interaction and development including conflict resolution, collaboration, and empathy
- Structured environment routines that require organization and responsibility skills
- Emotional development, such as confidence-building, developing self-esteem, and managing emotions
- Academic growth with educational aspects targeting math, language, and science
Full-time daycare programs provide children with a nurturing environment, allowing them to learn and grow, develop self-confidence, and meet milestones along the way. Despite the advantages associated with full-time daycare, there are several benefits of part-time preschool.
The Benefits of Part-Time Preschool
The benefits of part-time preschool can range from child to child. Additionally, part-time preschool may be a better fit for you and your child, given your work schedule or other job responsibilities. Busy families may opt for part-time preschool because of the unique schedules offered by the school.
Some of the many benefits of attending a part-time preschool include:
- More flexibility for families with unique work hours, multiple children, and those with specific obligations
- Cost-effectiveness and affordability
- Interactive learning and play-based activities
- Cognitive development stimulation
- Social and emotional skill honing
- Preparation for your child to be accustomed to a full-time classroom environment
- Opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s education and development
- Encouragement for your child to become more independent by offering opportunities for them to make choices by themselves
Part-time preschool may be the better option for your child due to your family situation or any obligations you may have. Other factors to consider include your child’s cognitive development, attachments to others, and overall independence.
Where to Find Full-Time Daycare and Part-Time Preschool
Whether you’re seeking full-time daycare or part-time preschool for your child, our school provides options for you and your family. At Future Minds Montessori School, we offer convenient childcare alternatives for those with specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about our full-time daycare and part-time preschool options.
