Home Daycares vs. Preschools - What's the Difference?

Home daycares, preschools, and childcare centers serve the same ages so they can seem indistinguishable. But the State of California views them differently. A home daycare is by definition a person who provides childcare in their home. The licensing process for home daycares is simple and relatively quick. Preschools and childcare centers are required to have a dedicated site that is designed for young children, including furniture, outdoor areas, and toileting facilities. Safety requirements are more stringent and staff are required to have more education and experience. The licensing process for a preschool or center can take years. More info: About Childcare Licensing

	HOME DAYCARE	PRESCHOOL / CHILDCARE CENTER
What parents like	Located in the neighborhood Home-like setting with diverse ages for sibling-like relationships Fewer children More affordable Year-round schedule Availability as spots open up	Trained, experienced teachers Targeted age groups, such as preschool curriculum Hours may be more work-friendly Purpose-built facility More oversight (usually more vetted adults on site) Larger parent community for family connections
What parents call it	"Day Care" or "Home daycare"	"Childcare Center"(0-3yo) or "Preschool" (4-5yo)
What the State of California calls it	"Family Day Care Home"	"Infant Center" (0-18mo) or "Daycare/Childcare Center" (18mo-5yo)
Ages	Any ages including after-school	Ages depend on the type of license they have
Capacity	Up to 8 (small home daycare) or up to 14 (large home daycare)	No limit. The capacity on their license depends on the site's square footage and the ages of the children. Typical preschools have 24-30 children. Large childcare centers can have a capacity in the hundreds.
Location	The owner's home	A dedicated site where no one lives
Site Requirements	Can be house or apartment, owned or rented, but the owner must live there. Street address is private in state records; for small daycares, even the zip is concealed Safety inspection including fire extinguishers, safe play areas, no accessible poisons or guns, etc. Fire inspection clearance for large daycares	Site must be specifically designed for children; street address is public Safety inspection as for daycares, plus additional requirements Per-child square footage requirements indoors and for outdoor play areas Age-appropriate furniture, toilets & sinks Separate diapering facilities if any children are under 3yrs Separate sleeping facilities with specified equipment for under-3yrs Specified eating facilities
Director or Owner	Home daycares have an Owner, not a Director, who must live in the home Background check, basic first aid class, immunizations 1 year experience at a daycare if > 8 children	Director must have: Background check, basic first aid class, immunizations Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) 4 years experience at a preschool; more for children under 2 yrs old
Adult-to-Child Ratio	Small daycare: 1 adult for up to 8 children; more restrictions if more than two are < 18mo Large daycare: 2 adults for up to 14 children; more restrictions if more than two are < 18mo	Infants (0-18 mos.): 1:3 adult-child ratio Toddlers (18-30 mos.): 1:6 adult-child ratio Preschoolers (36 mos - kindergarten entry): 1:8 adult-child ratio Parent Co-ops: 1:5 adult-child ratio School-aged: 1:14 adult-child ratio
Business name	There are no regulations about what a home daycare can call itself, including saying it is a "preschool". The daycare is licensed under the owner's name only.	Licensed under the preschool's name Owner is also listed, often a nonprofit or a corporation
Assistants or Teachers	Background check, basic first aid class, specified immunizations	Same as for daycares, plus: 12 Early Childhood Education (ECE) units 6 months experience working at a preschool
Other Adults on site	Any others over 18 who live in the home or visit regularly must have a background check	For parent co-op preschools, all parents who participate must have a background check
Cost	Typically less expensive than a preschool or nanny	Cost varies but generally more expensive than a home daycare since a dedicated site is required. Childcare centers for children under 3 are even more expensive due to additional site and staffing requirements. Parent co-op preschools can be less expensive than a home daycare. City-operated preschools are often very affordable or free.
Enrollment	Typically as spaces open up	Typically in the Fall on an academic schedule, especially for ages 3 and up. Childcare centers for children under 3 may have openings as spaces open up.