Kindergarten: A place that’s different from daycare

Your little one is about to enter a whole new world. Here’s a look at the main differences between daycare and kindergarten, and the types of changes your child will face.

The premises

If your child goes to daycare, then they’re used to staying in an average-sized building with a few rooms (nursery, small classrooms for the various groups, and a kitchen). If your child attends a home daycare, then they’re more familiar with a home-like environment.

Whatever the case, starting kindergarten will be a big change for them. Even if your child is attending a small school, it will be much bigger than the settings they have been used to till now. There will suddenly be a lot more places to become familiar with: their classroom, the other classrooms, the hallways, the gym, the schoolyard, the school’s daycare (which may sometimes be located in another building), the secretary’s office and the principal’s office.

The group of children

At daycare, your child has probably spent their days with a group of 6 to 10 children. In kindergarten, your child will have to get used to being in a group of up to 17 children for 4-year-olds and up to 19 children for 5-year-olds. This will be quite the transition, since in a larger group, children must share more and wait their turn more often — for longer periods of time as well.

Your child will also need to get used to meeting older kids, i.e. the students from first to sixth grade. If they attend the school’s daycare, they will usually find themselves with children their own age; some may be their classmates, but there will also be children from the other kindergarten classes.

The staff

At daycare, your child has had between one and four educators watching over him, depending on the type of daycare he attends. In kindergarten, they will spend most of the day with their teacher, but there are several other people to get to know as well, starting with the staff at their daycare.

Each week, for example, they may spend time with the music or gym teacher. Your child may also be in contact with an educational psychologist or a special educator who occasionally comes to their class. There are also all the other members of the staff including the principal, the secretary, the janitor, the daycare monitors and the lunch monitors.

The schedule for the day

At daycare, you’ve been able to drop your child off and pick him up whenever you want, depending on the daycare’s hours. However in kindergarten, there’s a class schedule to follow. All kindergarten students start and end their day at the same time. The day lasts approximately five hours, plus a lunch break of about an hour and a half. It’s important to respect this class schedule. You will have to notify the secretary and the teacher if your child is going to miss school, arrive late or if they need to leave earlier. Daycare services are offered to the students who remain in school outside these school hours.

Meals

At daycare, a cook or the home daycare manager makes the snacks and lunch for all the children. In kindergarten, it’s up to you to prepare the snacks and lunch your child takes to school. Some schools also offer a lunch catering service for a fee. Meals are usually eaten in a classroom, a common room or at the daycare service. You can also come to pick up your child to eat lunch at home.

Nap time

Unlike daycare, in kindergarten there is no nap time. However, a relaxation period is scheduled in the early afternoon to help the children calm down and recharge their batteries. Students may lie on a blanket on the floor to relax, sometimes to music. This activity takes 20 to 30 minutes. Some children fall asleep, especially at the start of the year.

Activities

Just like at daycare, a day in kindergarten usually includes periods of play and directed activity. However, the teacher is also working to prepare your child for first grade. While your child is playing, therefore, they are becoming familiar with numbers, letters and sounds, as well as notions of time and space (tomorrow, yesterday, on top, at the bottom, behind, and so on). They are also learning to assert themselves, listen to others, get organized, and become more autonomous. In addition, the teacher evaluates their learning development through report cards. You child may even have some homework.

Things to keep in mind

• Your child will need to adapt to several changes when they start kindergarten.
• They will have to get used to being in a larger group where they must share more and wait longer for their turn.
• In kindergarten, children become familiar with numbers and letters while also learning to assert and organize themselves.

Scientific review: Manon Roussel, Retired Teacher Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: December 2023

Photo : Nicolas St-Germain