Choosing the Right Program for Your Child’s Age and Stage
Parents often wonder whether their child should be in toddler care or preschool—and what the difference really means. Understanding the distinct approaches for each age group helps you make the best decision for your child’s developmental needs. At Soans Christian Academy, we offer age-appropriate programs designed specifically for toddlers (ages 1-2) and preschoolers (ages 3-5), each tailored to support optimal growth.
Toddler Care: Nurturing the Youngest Learners (Ages 1-2)
Toddler care focuses on meeting the unique developmental needs of very young children who are experiencing rapid growth and change:
Key Features of Quality Toddler Care
- Individualized Attention: Low teacher-to-child ratios (typically 1:4 or 1:5) ensure personalized care
- Hands-On Exploration: Sensory activities, manipulatives, and safe exploration opportunities
- Flexible Scheduling: Routines adapt to individual eating and sleeping needs
- Language Development: Constant narration, songs, and conversation to build vocabulary
- Gross Motor Focus: Climbing, walking, running—developing physical coordination
- Emotional Support: Gentle guidance through separation anxiety and emotional regulation
What Toddlers Learn
Using Creative Curriculum methodology, our toddler program promotes:
- Cause-and-effect understanding
- Object permanence and memory
- Basic self-help skills (drinking from a cup, using utensils)
- Social awareness (parallel play, sharing concepts)
- Language explosion (vocabulary growth from 50 to 500+ words)
Preschool & Pre-K: Building School Readiness (Ages 3-5)
Preschool programs shift toward intentional teaching and structured learning experiences that prepare children for kindergarten:
Key Features of Quality Preschool
- Structured Learning Centers: Literacy, math, science, art, and dramatic play areas
- Intentional Curriculum: Planned lessons targeting specific learning objectives
- Consistent Routines: Predictable daily schedule builds independence
- Social-Emotional Learning: Friendship skills, conflict resolution, cooperation
- Pre-Academic Skills: Letter recognition, number sense, early writing
- Increased Independence: Self-care routines like toileting, dressing, and cleanup
What Preschoolers Learn
Our preschool and Pre-K programs focus on:
- Phonological awareness and early literacy
- Mathematical thinking and problem-solving
- Scientific observation and inquiry
- Creative expression through art, music, and movement
- Executive function skills (attention, planning, self-control)
Toddler Care vs. Preschool: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Toddler Care (Ages 1-2) | Preschool/Pre-K (Ages 3-5) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Exploration, sensory experiences, basic skills | School readiness, pre-academic concepts, social skills |
| Schedule | Flexible, individualized routines | Structured daily schedule with consistent timing |
| Activities | Sensory play, movement, music, simple art | Learning centers, group projects, intentional lessons |
| Teacher Ratio | 1:4 or 1:5 (more individualized care) | 1:10 (promoting independence) |
| Communication | Building vocabulary, understanding language | Conversation, storytelling, early reading/writing |
| Socialization | Parallel play, beginning social awareness | Cooperative play, friendship development |
| Self-Care | Learning to feed self, drink from cup | Independent toileting, dressing, cleanup |
Is Your Child Ready for Preschool? Key Signs
While age is the primary factor, readiness for preschool also includes developmental milestones:
- Communicates needs verbally (at least simple phrases)
- Shows interest in other children and interactive play
- Can follow simple one- or two-step directions
- Demonstrates some independence in self-care (or is working toward it)
- Can separate from parents with minimal distress
- Shows curiosity about learning activities
Don’t worry if your child isn’t meeting all these markers—preschool teachers are skilled at supporting children wherever they are developmentally.
The Seamless Transition at Soans Christian Academy
One of the advantages of a quality early childhood center is the smooth transition between programs. At Soans, children progress naturally from our toddler care to preschool programs as they grow. Familiar teachers, consistent values, and the same Creative Curriculum approach create continuity while meeting changing developmental needs.
Whether your child needs the nurturing individualized care of our toddler program or the school-readiness focus of preschool, we create learning experiences that support each child’s unique developmental journey.
