Childhood experts agree: Attending a high-quality program prepares kids for kindergarten and beyond. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions.

What's the difference between childcare and preschool?
Childcare centers are generally an option for working parents who need their children to be taken care of during the day; centers accept babies as well as toddlers and are full-time, full-year programs. Preschool refers to an early-childhood educational class for 4 year-olds. 

How important is preschool?
At preschool, children become exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. And, more importantly, they learn how to socialize or get along with other children. Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not,

What will my child learn?
In addition to strengthening socialization skills -- how to compromise, be respectful of others, and problem-solve -- preschool provides a place where your child can gain a sense of self, explore, play with her peers, and build confidence.

http://ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/general/mb_ncprek.asp