Daycare vs Islamic Preschool Near Me: What’s Best for Kids?

Choosing the right school is the most challenging and significant decision for parent's child. The child's growth and development are significantly influenced by his or her environment. Care and education are both provided in the daycare and Muslim schools, but their curriculum and focus differ, which impacts the child.
Daycare supervises, naps, and feeds the child from infancy to preschool age, while Islamic preschool incorporates these elements while focusing on Islamic teaching and values. Children play, socialize, and learn basic things at daycare. In Islamic preschool, children are focused on learning more religious values along with Quran recitation and the Arabic language.
Selection of the schools depends on the parent's priorities and the child's needs especially when you are searching for an Islamic preschool near me. Let’s dive into the difference between daycare and Islamic preschool and find out which will work best for your child.
Curriculum
The curriculum of a daycare focuses on basic learning skills to promote social interaction with peers of various ages. Group activities are held to develop habits of sharing, communicating, and cooperating with other people.
Islamic private schools focus on teaching basic academic subjects, social development, and integrating Islamic teachings and cultural values with them. This holistic approach to Muslim schools curriculum focuses on the spiritual and intellectual development of a child.
Religious and Moral Education
Daycare curricula usually do not contain cultural and Islamic teachings. The centers only contain regular academics and cooperation with activities. Parents seeking faith-based education for their children can have a drawback in daycare.
Islamic preschools integrate Quranic teachings, daily prayers, and moral values with academics and social activities in their curriculum. Children develop a solid foundation of spiritual education and faith that they can apply in their daily lives.
Indoor Activities
Daycare usually incorporates developmental activities rather than focusing more on academics. Children have more playtime to support cognitive, emotional, and motor development through activities like arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
Islamic preschools emphasize more on Islamic morals and Quranic teachings. They usually less incorporate unstructured playtime as compared to daycare. Muslim schools comprise activities related to religion to build a strong foundation and faith in the child for their future life.
How to Decide The Right One?
Parents must consider some factors before searching for a daycare or Islamic preschool near me for their child.
1. Family Values
Muslim families mostly prioritize instilling Islamic principles and a sense of cultural identity. Islamic preschool is an excellent choice for them because it provides children with faith-based education as well as spiritual development.
2. Child’s Need
Infant children may require some unstructured play and activities for building connections with peers and social interaction. But activities that promote self-development to consolidate religion and Islamic activities in life are important. Better to opt for an Islamic preschool to have both facilities.
3. Budget
As Islamic schools provide Islamic teachings alongside academic subjects, they often have higher fees. Must ensure that your financial situation matches your financial situation. If your priorities are religion and Quranic teachings, the budget may not matter.
4. Future Goals
If you are planning to envision your child in a Muslim school in the future, it is better to have an Islamic school base to create a strong foundation and values.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a daycare or an Islamic school, both have their own merits. Daycare can be chosen for those who are seeking socialization and extra care. If your family needs a school with Islamic values and principles, you must choose an Islamic preschool.
Consider the factors of what your family values, your child's needs, and logistical needs. Choose wisely, your love and guidance with the decision can help in the development of the child.
American Youth Academy (AYA) offers an Islamic preschool program with Islamic teachings in their creative curriculum and compassion for them with play-based investigation. Contact us for more queries.