Daycare vs Preschool in Coquitlam: What’s the Difference?

Parents in Coquitlam often search for “daycare near me” or “preschools in Coquitlam” when planning early education for their child. While the two programs share similarities, they also have important differences.

Understanding the distinctions between daycare and preschool helps families choose the option that best fits their child’s needs and their family’s routine.

What Is Daycare?

• Age Range: Infants to school-aged children

• Hours: Typically full-day and year-round, with extended hours to support working parents

• Focus: Combines nurturing care with play-based learning

• Flexibility: Often offers part-time and full-time enrollment

Daycare is ideal for families who need consistent, reliable care and want their child to grow in a structured yet flexible environment.

What Is Preschool?

• Age Range: Usually 3–5 years old

• Hours: Often half-day programs, a few days per week, following a school-year schedule

• Focus: Early learning activities that prepare children for kindergarten

• Structure: More academic in nature, with an emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and social development

Preschool is a strong choice for families who don’t require full-time care but want to give their child a head start before school.

Key Differences Between Daycare and Preschool in Coquitlam

Feature	Daycare	Preschool
Age Range	0–5 (sometimes older)	3–5
Hours	Full-day, extended	Half-day, part-time
Schedule	Year-round	School-year calendar
Focus	Care + play-based learning	Kindergarten readiness
Flexibility	High (part-time/full-time options)	Lower (set days/times)

Which One Is Right for Your Child?

• Choose daycare if you need reliable full-time care with a balance of play and learning.

• Choose preschool if you’re looking for part-time, education-focused programming to prepare your child for kindergarten.

Some families even combine the two — using daycare for consistent care and adding preschool for enrichment.

Why Families in Coquitlam Choose Pango Childcare

At Pango Childcare, we offer licensed daycare programs in Coquitlam that provide the best of both worlds: nurturing full-day care combined with play-based early learning. Children leave Pango not only cared for, but also confident and ready for kindergarten.

👉 We might have spots available — contact us today to learn more about our daycare programs in Coquitlam.