When parents decide that their young kids are good to go for learning, preschool or nursery
school is a first stop place for them. But wait, are these two the same or different things?
The common factors between preschool and nursery school
Both school types cater to the needs in learning development of young kids, but there are a few
more factors preschool, and nursery school have in common.
Provide a learning environment before kindergarten – Generally, the accepted age for
kindergarten is five to seven years old throughout the US. When kids are not eligible for their
primary education yet, they can go to nursery or preschool. Both offer a fun and child-friendly
environment typically filled with play-based activities.
Playtime is a way of learning for young kids. They notice shapes, colors, letters, and other
things through plays. And by playing, they also develop learning fundamentals that include
communication, problem-solving, and social skills. Thus, young kids have an empowering place
learning and training ground for their primary education in preschool or nursery school.
Help parents child care and development – Nursery or preschool is not filler while waiting for
kindergarten age. It offers a nurturing community for young kids and their parents. These
institutions have child carers and educators who look after young pupils for the entire schooling
time. On top of these, they have a solid background in early childhood development apart from
being good at getting along with kids.
Moreover, a preschool or nursery school is also active in doing programs and projects for the
kids. These include providing field trips, healthy meals, a safe and secured campus, and child-
friendly facilities and materials.
The difference between nursery and preschool
Sometimes, preschool and nursery are almost identical. It is all about the preferred term to use.
However, there are still noticeable differences when we go into the details.
The age – Nursery schools accept kids from three to five years old, similar to preschool. But it is
also typical that nurseries are open to accommodate one and a half to two years old. These also
serve meals that can be more than two times a day. It primarily depends on the agreement or
hours that kids stay in the school. Parents can choose full-day, part-time, or drop-in (if a school
has this policy). Since one to two-year-old kids require different feeding needs, they most likely
get more meal times than lunch and snack time.
On the other hand, a preschool can have a nursery program or class to cater to two to three-
year-old kids, as Rainbow Preschool and Child Center has.
The curriculum – Typically, preschools have more structured classes than the nurseries. The
curriculum is well-defined to accommodate young kids’ gradual needs and development. One of
their main goals is to make young pupils kindergarten-ready soon. Nursery schools can offer the
same mission, but they’re usually inclined to prioritize child care and play-based activities.
Other policies – If you notice, the difference comes down to a nursery school and preschool
policies. The former accommodates more the needs for child care. For example, they are more
willing to accept not yet potty-trained kids than some preschools. The latter incorporates child
care along with developing learning skills in young children.
References:
https://lifefamilyjoy.com/preschool-vs-nursery-school-exactly-difference
https://www.berrypatch.com.au/5-benefits-of-play-based-learning/
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