Finding a childcare option to support your child’s learning and wellbeing can feel overwhelming, but understanding the real differences between an early learning centre and daycare offers you a major first step.
In this article, we provide answers on how each option supports children’s growth, the benefits of early learning centres, and what families should keep in mind when making this choice.
So, if you’re looking to give your child a great start and build their sense of belonging in the early years, keep reading.
Understanding the Difference: Early Learning Centre vs Daycare
Both options are aimed at providing support for children, but early learning centres have an emphasis on helping children start their education and build confidence for when they start at school.
What do families really need from a childcare provider?
- Ideally, a location that’s convenient for the parents and provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for children.
- Early childhood educators provide top-quality care and support to each individual child.
- A range of different types of learning experiences.
How do early learning centres set themselves apart?
- Learning centres offer more than basic day care. They aim to develop skills for each child, preparing them for success in the future.
- The centre will have the planned and published curriculum aligned with early school expectations.
- As well as learning, they will build social skills, a positive approach and self-confidence for the children.
Key Features of Early Learning Centres
- Well-trained staff who create activities to connect with children, promoting their well-being and meeting their learning needs.
- Structured education tailored to meet the needs of each child and their learning capabilities.
- A blend of outdoor and indoor learning to keep the children interested, active and curious.
Key Features of Daycare
- Daycare services are often needed by parents who need help with child care to suit work or family needs.
- Children enjoy spending time with other children and adults, but the main areas of focus are comfort, supervision and safety.
- Children get to play, make new friends and socialise, helping support their emotional and social growth.
The difference between day care and childcare centre approaches
Daycare meets essential needs like safety, comfort and supervision, while early learning centres also integrate teaching and skills development via a structured approach, including:
- A range of activities to help develop a wide set of capabilities.
- Different types of learning areas, such as several different rooms, plus indoor and outdoor sessions, to help children develop a love of variety.
- Young people exposed to such group learning methods and shared play understand how to build relationships and are well prepared for school.
Daycare: A Different Focus
Traditional childcare or daycare centres offer a solution for busy families, taking care of their children when they have work or family commitments.
Purpose and Approach
- Normally, a child care centre will meet the basic needs of each child, including hygiene, meals, supervision and a safe area while parents attend to work, study or family commitments.
- Ideally, a day care centre is located conveniently for working parents and offers extended or flexible hours.
- Childcare workers in daycare centres focus on the child’s well-being and making sure they feel welcome and have a sense of belonging.
- While some daycare centres may introduce simple learning, such as numbers and letters, this isn’t their main aim, which is simply to take care of the children.
How Daycare Centres Support Children
- Opportunities for play-based activities help children to develop capabilities such as relationship building and shared experiences with their peers and childhood educators.
- Indoor and outdoor play, rest times and meals all help to ensure a balanced day in support of the children’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.
- While there is no formal education, a range of learning experiences from group activities to creative games and outdoor play help build the children’s confidence and sense of inclusion.
Choosing What’s Best for Your Child
Selecting the best care for your child is about much more than just supervision. You want an environment where your child’s learning, wellbeing, and individual growth are truly supported.
Key Aspects to Consider
- My child’s strengths and interests. Your chosen learning centre or childcare centre should recognise the individual talents, differences and interests of each child. The inclusion of areas like mathematics and science, language or creative play means your child’s learning is fun for them and has meaning.
- Wellbeing. The mental health of children should be at the heart of early childhood education. The learning experiences offered by your Centre will help children build life skills like managing emotions, forming healthy relationships and resilience.
- Location and flexibility. Parents should benefit from the selected centre too. Make sure you pick a centre that’s located conveniently for you and offers flexible or extended hours to meet your requirements.
Why Mount Peter Early Learning Could Be the Right Fit for Your Family
Here at Mount Peter Early Learning, we’re committed to supporting each child through meaningful learning environments and experiences across all key areas.
We provide structured and play-based programs aimed at developing children’s general capabilities and supporting their mental health and well-being.
Conveniently located in Mount Peter, we offer more than just daycare; we’re the place where your child’s well-being, learning, and their future are at the heart of everything we do.
Get in touch today to book a visit or speak with our team about how we can support your family.