Preschool Teacher vs. Daycare Teacher: What Are the Differences?

If you love working with children and have a passion for teaching, you may be wondering if you should become a preschool or daycare teacher. Both of these positions work with young children, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we compare the job titles preschool teacher and daycare teacher, and we discuss the similarities and differences between the two.

What is a Preschool Teacher?

Preschool Teachers work with children aged 3-5 in a structured educational setting. They develop lesson plans, teach classes and assess student progress. Preschool Teachers also create a safe and positive learning environment, manage student behavior and work with parents to support their child’s development. In some cases, Preschool Teachers may also be responsible for additional duties such as preparing snacks or supervising recess.

What is a Daycare Teacher?

Daycare Teachers work in early childhood education settings to provide care and instruction to young children. They create and implement lesson plans that focus on the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children. Daycare Teachers also develop activities to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits. They maintain a safe and clean environment for children to play and learn. Daycare Teachers typically work with children aged 3 months to 5 years old. Some Daycare Teachers may also be responsible for supervising and training assistants and other staff members.

Preschool Teacher vs. Daycare Teacher

Here are the main differences between a preschool teacher and a daycare teacher.

Job Duties

Preschool teachers and daycare teachers may share some job responsibilities, such as playing with children, helping them develop social skills and teaching them basic education topics. However, there are differences in the duties these professionals have at their schools or facilities. For example, a preschool teacher typically focuses on educating young children in areas such as reading, writing and math. They also use playtime and other activities to help children develop socially. In contrast, daycare teachers tend to focus more on providing care to children rather than educational services. They may provide meals for the children, ensure they take naps and clean up any messes they make.

Job Requirements

To become a preschool teacher, you need at least a high school diploma. Some states also require preschool teachers to complete a formal training program or earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. A CDA credential is a nationally recognized credential that requires completing 120 hours of coursework and 600 hours of work experience in a child care setting.

Daycare teachers typically need at least a high school diploma as well. Some daycare centers may prefer candidates who have completed a formal training program or earned a CDA credential. However, it is not always required.

Work Environment

Both preschool teachers and daycare teachers work in environments that are safe for children. This means they both work in clean, well-maintained facilities with low levels of noise and distraction. They also ensure the areas where they teach have adequate lighting and ventilation to protect the health and safety of their students.

Daycare teachers may spend more time outdoors than preschool teachers because many daycares provide outdoor playtime as part of their curriculum. However, this doesn’t mean that all daycare teachers spend all of their time outside. Some may choose to use indoor spaces like a gymnasium or auditorium for activities such as music class or dance lessons.

Skills

Both preschool teachers and daycare teachers work with young children, so they need to have excellent communication skills. They also need to be patient and understand that children learn at different rates.

Preschool teachers typically work with children who are between the ages of 3 and 5. Because they are working with slightly older children, they may use more advanced teaching methods than daycare teachers. For example, they may teach using a curriculum or lesson plan and focus on preparing their students for kindergarten. Daycare teachers, on the other hand, work with children of all ages, including infants and toddlers. Their primary focus is on providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children in their care.

Both preschool teachers and daycare teachers need to have CPR and first aid certification. However, daycare teachers may need to have additional certifications, depending on the state in which they work. For example, some states require daycare teachers to have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

Salary

Preschool teachers earn an average salary of $39,307 per year, while daycare teachers earn an average salary of $33,063 per year. Both of these salaries may vary depending on the location of the school, the size of the school and the level of education and experience the teacher has.