Selecting an early education program for a child is a crucial decision that will determine the learning experiences of the child in the future. When choosing schooling for their little ones, parents come across “nursery” and “preschool.” Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to two different developmental phases of early childhood education, each of which has its objectives, strategies, and age-appropriate children. Comparing a nursery and a preschool will help parents make the right CBSE school in Sharjah centred on their child’s development.
Age Group: The First Distinction
The main difference between a nursery and a preschool is the age of the children that they are designed to accommodate.
Nurseries mainly cater to young children, mostly those below three years of age. These places are designed to offer a secure and stimulating place for infants and toddlers to learn and develop. Nurseries are meant to cater for the development of very young children and provide them with items and tasks that foster sensory and motor skills.
Preschools, on the other hand, are for slightly older children, normally those between the ages of three and five. They help the children transition to the more formal learning setting that is provided by schools. Preschools play a crucial role in narrowing the gap between early childhood and the academic year of kindergarten. For instance, a parent who is planning to put their child in a kindergarten in Sharjah will first have to take the child to a preschool to prepare him or her for the newly challenging learning routine that awaits them.
Developmental Goals: Cultivating vs. Training
As for the developmental goals, it is important to understand that nurseries and preschools operate with children of different ages, and therefore, the goals are different as well.
Nurseries focus on the general development of a child and do not only focus on the academic aspect of the child. The activities in a nursery are mostly play-based and developmental and assist the child in areas such as walking, talking, and interactions. The emphasis is placed on creating a comfortable and safe environment for the child to play in and to develop independently.
Preschools, on the other hand, are meant to equip the child with readiness for the academic challenges of the upcoming classes. The curriculum in a preschool is relatively more formal and acquaints the children with basic ideas in reading, writing, counting, and reasoning.
Activities are usually implemented in preschools to prepare children for school, such as obedience to instructions, group activities, writing, and drawing, among others. Many parents eyeing a CBSE school in Sharjah often look at preschools as the foundation of their child’s schooling and an easy transition to primary school.
Curriculum: The Play-Based Approach vs. Structured Learning
The curriculum is another area where nurseries and preschools differ in a very big way. Nurseries have a play pattern in their curriculum so that a child can learn through play, exploration, and handling of objects. It is focused on the promotion of core skills, which include language, motor, and socioemotional development. The activities also aim at entertaining the children, making them happy to go to nursery, and making them look forward to going to nursery the following day.
Preschools, on the other hand, may have a more set program with a focus on pre-literacy, pre-writing, and mathematics. It is a curriculum that is meant to prepare the children for the more structured academic curriculum of kindergarten. For instance, the curriculum in preschools that are affiliated with elementary schools in Sharjah may comprise lessons in simple arithmetic, alphabets, and storytelling to prepare the child for the next level. Preschool education is formal, and this makes the child disciplined and focused in his or her studies for formal education.
Hours of Operation: Flexibility vs. Consistency
The other difference between nurseries and preschools is the number of hours that the two are open for business. Nursery schools are more flexible with their timings as compared to reception classes and are usually for those parents who have to go to work and need to drop their children off for full-day care. Some nurseries are open from morning until evening, thus offering meals and nap times to very young children. This flexibility makes nurseries suitable for parents with busy working schedules who need child care during the day.
There is, however, a slight variation in that preschools follow a timetable comparable to that of an elementary school. Most of them operate from as early as 6:00 a.m. to as late as 6:00 p.m., though some of them provide extra care services to parents who require extra hours. The regularity in the number of hours in preschool enables children to adjust to the school day schedule, and this is particularly useful when joining kindergarten. Parents considering a kindergarten in Sharjah might find this consistency helpful in preparing their children for the regular school hours they will encounter in the future.
Staffing and Qualifications: Carers vs. Educators
Staffing in nurseries and preschools also has differences in terms of qualifications and training. In nursery schools, the carers are taught how to feed, bathe, dress, and comfort infants and toddlers, as well as engage them in activities that will help them develop physically and emotionally. These carers are capable of taking care of the young children, protecting them, and offering a favourable environment for their growth.
Preschools, though, expect their staff to be trained in early childhood education and care. Preschool teachers are usually qualified in early childhood development and are capable of implementing a program that gets the child ready for school. They apply their knowledge to develop daily teaching and learning activities to promote academic achievement as well as the social and emotional development of children in preschool.
Environment: Home-Like vs. School-Like
The environment in nurseries and preschools also differs in some ways depending on their roles and functions. It is common to find that many nurseries want their environment to be as close to home as possible, and this is mostly characterised by the warmth, comfort, and welcoming nature of the environment for young children. The spaces are typically furnished with soft furniture, toys appropriate for the age of the learners, and sleeping areas which make the learners feel at home.
Preschools, on the other hand, are establishments that are modelled after a school setting with classrooms, tables, and other learning accessories similar to those of elementary schools in Sharjah. This school-like environment assists the child in becoming familiar with the environment that they are most likely to encounter once they enter kindergarten. This familiarity will help to overcome any stress that children may have in connection with the beginning of their schooling, such as when they start kindergarten.
Parent Involvement: Varies by Institution
Parental involvement may also vary between nurseries and preschools, although this depends on the particular school. Some of the nurseries allow parents to be very much involved in their child’s care, where they update them often and allow them to be part of the process.
This involvement helps parents stay connected to their child’s development and reinforces the bond between parent and child during these early years.
Preschools, on the other hand, may have more formal avenues for parent involvement, such as parent-teacher conferences, volunteer opportunities, and school events. These interactions allow parents to stay informed about their child’s progress and collaborate with teachers to support their child’s learning. Parents looking to enrol their child in a CBSE school in Sharjah might benefit from the structured communication and involvement opportunities offered by preschools, which can help them stay engaged in their child’s education as they prepare for the elementary years.
Conclusion
In summary, while nurseries and preschools both play crucial roles in early childhood education, they cater to different age groups, developmental needs, and circumstances. Nurseries offer a nurturing and flexible environment for very young children, focussing on their overall development and well-being. Preschools, on the other hand, prepare older children for the academic challenges of kindergarten and beyond, providing a more structured curriculum and school-like environment. Understanding these differences can help parents make informed decisions that best support their child’s early learning journey.
Freya Parker 
edwardmolne 
johnwilly