Every year, parents of preschool-age children face a similar choice: to continue their child’s development in a kindergarten-based reception class or enroll them in a reception class within a primary school. This decision should be made thoughtfully, taking into account the different environments offered by each type.
However, before delving into the details, it’s essential to remember one often overlooked point: both kindergarten and school-based reception classes follow the same curriculum. This means that in both settings, the child will learn the same material and complete this stage of education at a similar level.
What differentiates the two types of reception classes are specific factors that hold varying significance for each child and parent. Let’s take a closer look at the most important ones.
In kindergarten, the curriculum is delivered in an accessible and friendly way, blending various types of activities. Learning is based on project work and engaging all the child’s senses, maintaining a play-based approach that supports emotional development. This fosters harmonious growth tailored to the child’s needs.
School-based reception classes, on the other hand, tend to be more formal, emphasizing desk work and using textbooks. This does not necessarily reflect a child’s readiness for school, which is a set of psychophysical characteristics, including emotional development.
As Children Grow, the Role of Parents in Education Evolves
In kindergarten, parents mainly focus on developing basic skills and social growth and have daily opportunities to interact with teachers and the director, allowing for discussions about the child’s successes, challenges, and emotions.
In primary school, contact with the teacher and director is usually limited due to their work hours, and the parent’s role shifts to organizing and supporting the child’s learning and interests.
In a kindergarten reception class, two teachers work with the children daily: a Polish-speaking teacher and an English-speaking teacher, allowing children to learn two languages in the most natural and effective way through an integrated program.
Bilingual education is a strong advantage of the kindergarten reception class.
In school reception, only one teacher typically works with the class, and English lessons are conducted separately, often for 2 to 10 hours per week, depending on the school’s program.
This interrupts bilingual education, reducing the child’s consistent exposure to English in everyday situations with their main caregiver.
When a child stays in a kindergarten reception class, their developmental needs are supported by staff who have monitored their progress in recent years. The teacher knows the child well and can provide suitable developmental conditions.
A significant advantage of kindergarten is the child’s portfolio, created through annual observations and accessible to all teachers.
A school setting, however, means the child must adapt and acclimate to a new environment and teacher, who typically only stays with the group for one year.
The kindergarten building is well-suited to the physical and emotional development of younger children — it’s colorful, friendly, and offers an optimal balance between learning and play spaces.
In schools, younger children often adapt to conditions designed for older children, such as shared bathrooms, corridors, cafeterias, and cloakrooms, which can be overwhelming.
School reception may also require carrying a backpack, which can contribute to posture problems.
In a kindergarten setting, children benefit from care and educational conditions throughout the facility’s opening hours, ensuring that their daily rhythm remains consistent for both child and parent.
In contrast, after school reception class hours, children are usually placed in an after-school program with mixed-age groups, which can be stressful, especially if they are among much older children.
School life follows a different rhythm from kindergarten life. In school reception classes, the day is structured with specific educational activities and limited free play. This more formal structure resembles a standard school day and often requires parents to be more involved in their child’s daily education.
In kindergarten, however, children can spend their time in a balanced way, with a blend of learning, play, and rest based on their current needs.
is a crucial component of “school readiness.”
At KIDS&Co. preschools, we prioritize children’s emotional and social development through our proprietary social and emotional intelligence program, which teaches children to recognize and name emotions in themselves and others. This program guides them in regulating and expressing feelings in socially acceptable ways, strengthening their sense of security, empathy, and confidence. The close relationship with a teacher and individualized support in kindergarten foster a child’s social and emotional development.
Due to its structure, school-based reception primarily focuses on curriculum content, often placing emotional aspects in the background due to time constraints. Experts emphasize that issues at this stage in school tend to involve emotional rather than cognitive development.
Schools typically offer partial meals (lunch and/or an afternoon snack), meaning parents must prepare additional meals, adding to their responsibilities.
Kindergarten, on the other hand, provides full meals suitable for children’s age. Meals are balanced, and eating together in peer groups, along with teachers, positively influences future dietary choices.
When Deciding, Parents Should Consider Organizational Aspects
Kindergartens operate year-round, including summer, winter breaks, and between holidays.
Schools usually remain closed or offer limited services, such as “duty care” in mixed-age groups, not always supervised by the reception class teacher.
When choosing a school reception class, parents should plan for approximately 80 days of alternate care.
Parents, remember that at the heart of the decision to keep your child in a kindergarten reception class or transition them to a school setting should be the child’s needs and emotional readiness. Before making a choice: