Wee Care: Unlocking the Wonders of Early Learning
Preschool vs. TK Differences
There are many considerable differences between preschool and transitional kindergarten. Parents should consider all aspects when choosing what is best for their preschool-aged children.
We have highlighted some of the key differences between preschool and transitional kindergarten.
Most children acquire the necessary skills they need through regular activities, through age 6. Skills such as fine and gross motor activities, group-work self-regulation and transitioning tasks are all found in play sessions and/or preschool. Studies show that children who have not attended TK will reach the same level as those who have, by the end of kindergarten. Research suggests that play-based learning is as effective a way for children to develop physical, cognitive and emotional skills.
Preschool
• Preschool was created in 1951 to support the child’s learning/development, based on research-backed, play-based learning.
• Monday-Friday full day, including meals and rest times with 1-3 hours of outside play time each day
• Deep expertise in early childhood development, with on-the-job experience in this age group. 24 ECE units.
• 6:1 teacher/child ratio
• Play-based curriculum that balances child-directed with teacher-directed activities for optimal development
• Open-door policy for parent involvement and input
• Less likely transition from preschool to kindergarten. Learn and prepare in a familiar environment.
• Primarily focused on a “whole-child” development
• Children often interact with children of all ages and all learning spectrums, offering a closer-knit, diversified group.
• Lessons and plans are observed and adjusted according to the child’s interest and learning-stages.
TK
• Created in 2015 to create access and support for families who cannot attend preschool.
• Typically 3-4 hours of instruction based learning with 30-45 minutes outdoor time
• Elementary or multi-credentialed teacher, will carry minimal early childhood credits, however will not have a deep expertise in early learning. 12 ECE units.
• 12:1 teacher/student ratio
• Teacher-directed, academically-based curriculum, in accordance with CA kindergarten standards
• Restricted opportunities for parent involvement and input
• May or may not be located at the same elementary school, causing more transition and changes in a young child’s day-to-day routine.
• Academics is the primary focus
• Children will belong to a classroom of children that are similarly aged, and academically equal, having a smaller social/emotional spectrum.
• Children are on an elementary school-based curriculum plan, that does not typically alter or slow down for children who may show struggles with a specific skill/subject.
About Us
Wee Care is a large family daycare in La Verne, California offering a warm and inviting environment. Our goal is to provide a high quality childcare experience and to promote developmentally appropriate practice and early learning. We are a “Full-Inclusion/Mainstreaming” program which serves children of all developmental ages and stages from infants through school age. Wee Care home daycare is proud to be a vendor for the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center and promotes the use of American Sign Language throughout our curriculum. We comply with CDC’s vaccination schedule.
Wee Care works closely with California kindergarten standards and the majority of our graduates excel at not only the kindergarten entry testing, but will often excel at the exit testing, at the beginning of kindergarten!
Our preschool boasts a preschool-style program, in a residential home setting. Our dedicated preschool/childcare areas offer music, dancing, centers, crafts, and child-appropriate dining areas, that encourage independence when feeding and washing.
Our day often starts with dancing and learning-based music, alphabet, color and shape reviews, as well as a thematic unit based on the time of year/season.
Outdoors, Wee Care has many activities offered to little minds, such as a beautiful bike track to perfect gross-motor skills riding a tricycle, or getting little hands dirty by helping in our vegetable gardens. They can climb to their hearts content on our monkey-dome, as well as pretend play in our giant “playhouse”! During the summer months we have water tables, sand boxes and a bounty of shaded areas to stay cool, however, continuing our precious outside play-time.
Serving La Verne, San Dimas, Claremont, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, Pomona, and the surrounding areas, Wee Care was established in 1999 by Mary Henry, license # 198004787. Subsidized families welcome!
About the Director
I have four adult children of my own and started my home daycare over twenty years ago. I was officially licensed through the state of California in 1999 for up to fourteen children and have additional staff for support. My undergraduate major is in Child Development, and I have a Bachelors degree from University of La Verne in Diversified Education. I am very involved and proud of my community and have served as a council representative for San Gabriel Valley Parent Participation Nursery Schools. I was trained by the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (P.I.T.C.) and am certified as an official Infant/Toddler Specialist.
Hours of Operation
6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location
Located in La Verne, we are conveniently close to both the 10 and 210 freeways as well as the Metrolink.