By: Dr. Verna Benjamin Lambert
Early childhood education is offered by daycare centers, private preschools, faith based preschools, Montessori and play based schools, Georgia's Pre-K Program, Head Start and public school kindergarten. The biggest differences between them come down to the ages they serve, how they're paid for and what they emphasize during the day.
The terms overlap, and a single school might offer infant care, preschool and early grades under one roof. Here's a plain look at each option.
The short answer: daycare is mainly about care for children while parents work, and preschool is mainly about early learning for children around ages 3 to 5. In real life, the line is blurry.
| Daycare | Preschool | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical ages | 6 weeks to 5 years | About 3 to 5 years |
| Main focus | Safe, consistent care and routines | Early learning and school readiness |
| Schedule | Usually full day, year round | Half day or full day, often on a school year calendar |
| Daily structure | Flexible, built around naps and meals | More planned lessons and group activities |
In early childhood education, the focus extends far beyond conventional teaching methodologies. It is an inclusive approach that recognizes the unique needs of each child, valuing their individuality and recognizing the importance of early experiences. These formative years are not only a precursor to later education but represent a crucial period where the seeds of curiosity, creativity, and social skills are planted.
Teachers in early childhood education act as facilitators and guides, creating supportive environments that encourage children to express themselves freely. This approach recognizes the importance of social and emotional development alongside academic achievement. Early childhood education is not limited to the classroom. It extends to collaborative partnerships with parents, caregivers, and the community. Recognizing the integral role of families in a child's development, early childhood educators actively engage with parents to create a harmonious bridge between home and school. This collaboration enhances the child's learning experience and ensures continuity in their development.
Many good daycare centers include real learning, and many preschools offer full day care. So the more useful question is usually "what happens during the day?" rather than which label a school uses. For more on what daycare covers, see our post on what daycare is and why it matters.
Infant and toddler daycare centers
Child care centers serve babies and toddlers, often starting at about 6 weeks old. The best ones go beyond supervision, with responsive caregivers who talk, sing and read with children throughout the day. In Georgia, child care centers are licensed by DECAL (the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning).
Private preschools
Private preschools are tuition based and set their own curriculum, schedules and admission process. They vary a lot, so visiting in person is the best way to compare them.
Faith based preschools
Faith based preschools are usually private and run by churches or Christian schools (or other faith communities). They combine early learning with prayer, Bible stories, worship and character lessons.
Montessori and play based schools
These are named for how they teach. Montessori schools use mixed age classrooms and specially designed materials that children choose and work with independently. Play based schools use guided play, like building, pretend play and art, as the main way children learn. Both are usually private and tuition based.
Georgia's Pre-K Program
Georgia's Pre-K Program is a free, state funded program for 4 year olds. According to georgia.gov, children must be four years old on or before September 1 of the school year they plan to attend, and programs provide a 6.5 hour instructional day, 5 days a week, 180 days a year. The DECAL program overview describes it as a lottery funded program for Georgia residents.
Programs are offered by local school systems and by child care learning centers. Each provider sets its own application process and deadlines, and applying doesn't guarantee a spot. Pre-K is voluntary in Georgia, not required.
Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded program for young children from families with lower incomes. According to the Office of Head Start, children from birth to age five can qualify if their family's income is below the federal poverty guidelines. Children from families experiencing homelessness or receiving public assistance like TANF or SSI are also eligible.
Public school kindergarten
Kindergarten is the first year of public elementary school, usually starting around age 5. It's offered free through your local school district. Many private schools, including some preschools, also offer kindergarten and early elementary grades.
| Program type | Typical ages | Cost model (general) | What it emphasizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant and toddler daycare | 6 weeks to 3 years | Private tuition | Safe care, routines, early language |
| Private preschool | About 3 to 5 | Private tuition | School readiness, varies by school |
| Faith based preschool | Varies, often infancy to 5 | Private tuition | Learning plus faith and character |
| Montessori school | Often 3 to 6, some younger | Private tuition | Independence, hands on materials |
| Play based school | Varies | Private tuition | Learning through guided play |
| Georgia's Pre-K Program | 4 year olds | Free to families, lottery funded | School readiness the year before kindergarten |
| Head Start | Birth to 5 | Federally funded for eligible families | Early learning plus family support |
| Public kindergarten | About 5 | Free through local districts | Start of formal elementary school |
Pre-K usually means the year right before kindergarten, when most children are 4. Preschool is the broader term for early learning programs, usually covering ages 3 to 5. So pre-K is a type of preschool, but not every preschool class is pre-K.
In Georgia, people often say "pre-K" when they specifically mean Georgia's Pre-K Program. It's worth asking any school you visit which one they mean.
It really depends on your child and your family. A few questions help most parents narrow it down.
How old is your child, and how long will you need care? If you need care from infancy, a center that serves babies through school age saves you from switching later.
Do you need a full day? Some programs run a full workday and others run shorter hours.
What do you want your child's day to emphasize? Faith, academics, play, the arts or a mix.
How does the school feel when you visit? Watch how teachers talk to children. That tells you more than any brochure.
Honestly, no single type of program is right for every child, even one that checks every box on paper. Our guide on how to choose a daycare has a longer list of questions to ask on a tour.
Benjamin Prep is a private, non denominational Christian school that serves children from 6 weeks old through 2nd grade. We're DECAL licensed, and our teachers are CDA qualified caregivers trained in CPR and First Aid. We're a private school with our own Christ centered curriculum, so if Georgia's Pre-K Program matters to your family, ask our team how it fits with our 4 to 5 year old class.
That means a family can start with us as a Christian childcare center for their baby and stay all the way through the early grades. Along the way, children get daily praise and worship, STEAM+ learning viewed through the lens of scripture, foreign language and performing arts classes like tap, ballet, hip hop and liturgical dance. A whole foods menu is included, and extracurricular activities and sports are included in tuition.
Our classes are grouped by age, from Tiny Dreamers for infants to Show Stoppers in grades 1 and 2. You can see each one on our Children Served page. If you live near Smyrna or Vinings and want a closer look at our preschool years specifically, visit our page on Christian preschool near Smyrna, or schedule a tour of our Vinings campus to see the classrooms in person.
Is preschool better than daycare?
Not necessarily. A daycare center with real learning built in can be just as good as a preschool, because teacher quality and the daily routine matter more than the label.
What age is Georgia's Pre-K Program for?
Georgia's Pre-K Program is for children who are four years old on or before September 1 of the school year they plan to attend. It's free to families and offered through local school systems and child care learning centers.
Is Georgia's Pre-K Program free?
Yes. Georgia.gov describes it as a state funded program at no cost to families, and DECAL describes it as lottery funded. Spots aren't guaranteed, since each provider runs its own application process.
What is the difference between Montessori and play based preschool?
Montessori uses mixed age classrooms and specially designed materials children choose and work with on their own. Play based programs use guided play like building, art and pretend play as the main way to learn. Both aim to build independence and a love of learning.
Can my child go to a private preschool and then public kindergarten?
Yes, that's very common. Many children attend a private preschool and move to public kindergarten, while others stay at a private school that continues into the early grades.
If you're looking for one Christian school that can take your child from infant care through 2nd grade with faith, STEAM+ and the arts woven into every day, Benjamin Prep is worth a visit.
Benjamin Preparatory School is a Christian preschool and daycare in the Vinings area of Atlanta at 2445 Church Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, serving children from 6 weeks old through 2nd grade. Each school day blends faith, STEAM+ academics and daily performing arts like tap, ballet, music and drama, and a whole foods menu is included. Families in Vinings, Smyrna, Cumberland, Mableton and northwest Atlanta choose Benjamin Prep so their children can grow in faith, learning and confidence in one place. Families driving in from Marietta or Kennesaw are welcome too, and a tour is the easiest way to see whether the commute and the fit work for you.
Schedule a tour of our Vinings campus, get directions, see our programs by age, or call (770) 436-5200 to talk with our team.
Dr. Verna R. Benjamin-Lambert, known to families as "Dr. Benji," is the founder of Benjamin Preparatory School, which she started as The Benjamin Preschool of Academic and Performing Arts in Smyrna, Georgia. She holds a doctorate in education leadership from Nova Southeastern University and is a graduate of St. Joseph's Teachers' College in Jamaica. Before founding the school, she served as an administrator in a Georgia school system, where she advocated for students who were falling behind academically.
Dr. Benji is also an author. Her book Health Intelligence: The Path to a Healthier You looks at the core issues behind childhood obesity, and her Healthy Benji children's books help young readers build healthy eating habits. One belief guides every classroom at Benjamin Prep: "Every child has a soul, and every soul has a purpose."