First day of pre-school

When I first looked into preschool for Alex a couple weeks ago, I was "yabbergasted!" (as Alex would say) by the sheer magnitude of the COST of it.  I couldn't believe some schools charged upwards of $600 per month for TWO DAYS A WEEK!  That's highway robbery as far as I'm concerned. 

I kept looking.  Only four schools had open programs that Alex could attend on Tuesday/Thursday mornings.  The Montessori schools, both of them, were in the $400-$450 range and required at least two, four-hour days.  That was still out of our budget, so we didn't even visit them.  Another school was adorable, but Alex didn't take well to the "classroom" he would be in since it was geared for two to three-year-olds.  That program was also steep at $395 per month.

I loved the school one of his closest friends goes to, but was not enthusiastic about the fact that they don't have their own playground and have to walk/drive the kids to the nearby church so they can play outside.  That program was $340 per month. 

The program I ended up choosing is run by a local church.  We're not religious, but that didn't matter to the school and we liked their positive discipline methods, their huge play ground, the fact that Alex would be with older kids who are all potty-trained and the cost: only $285 per month.  I can't wait to hear about his first day when I pick him up!

Are your kids in preschool?  How did you find your school and how much does it cost?  I'm shocked to see how expensive our area is compared to others!

Comments

[Danielle]

I agree with you on the outrageous costs of preschool. Some in the NJ area where I live cost as much or more than a year at an in-state public college! The other problem I had in my area was finding just a preschool and not one affilated with a daycare. I finally found a very reasonabley priced preschool run through a church (did not have to be affiliated) that was a co-op. This helped keep the cost down b/c the parents take turns helping the teacher. I loved being able to take an active role in my daughter's education and see what was going on in their classroom. I know a co-op situation isn't ideal for everyone b/c it can be difficult if you have other little ones @ home. You would have to make other arrangements for them when you help out. Overall, I had a very positive experience and would highly recommend this type of school. Also a great site to check out to find high quality preschools in your area is:

http://www.naeyc.org/. If the school is NAEYC accredited it is considered a five star school by early education standards.

I hope your son had a great first day!! My oldest starts kindergarten this year!! They grow up so fast:(

[Becky]

I've been looking at preschools for the fall as well. I checked out a Child Development Lab at the local Community College ($633 for all day care, trad or montessori) but I didn't need full time care, and while I could adjust the hours to suit, the price stayed the same. The Montessori was around $600 and didn't give me the same joyous feeling, but it was nice enough that I was almost ready to sign up. Then a friend told me about a church nearby, $135 for 9:30-2:30 two days a week, a MDO program. I haven't gotten into that one yet, but it's really high on my list right now :)

[Kellyelle]

It's a little more reasonable in the midwest. Ours averages out to $144 a month and it's super!
:) Kelly

[Jen Zug]

WHAT?! Did you say, $600 per MONTH? Holy cow, is that a California thing? Because I was able to find a bilingual preschool for Ruthie at only $850 per YEAR for two mornings a week. That was one of the cheapest ones I found, but even some of the Montessori schools were $1000 per year.

[Bethany]

Um. Wow. The program that I'm considering for my 3 year old (at a local Lutheran school for pre-K to 8th grade) is a whopping $60/month. That's for two days, 2 hours per day, which is just enough I think for my own 3 year old.

I can't imagine paying $600 a month. That really is robbery!

[BeLinda]

I think tuition for preschool at our Christian school is $187 per month. Theat's all day 5 days a week. The montessouri school my nephew goes to is $400 a month but that's Northern Ky practically Ohio. I spend about $400 a year on school stuff for preschool and just fun educational stuff. We homeschool.

[Arizona]

Cost...yes eeewwwww well my son is now entering K (which we will get to in a minute) but before that we had him in a Montessori school which did OKAY from an education stand point but pricey as any formiable education place is here....we paid $740 a month which did not include lunch (we could purchase special lunch on Fridays for $2) or snacks (we had to supply snacks every other month for the entire class) for five days a week in AZ. He is now attending a private Christian school which is costing $4555.00 per year plus the cost of after school program about two hrs a day for price figured at about $1800 for the year. But what are we going to do we are in AZ and education is horrible here...we are 50th! I guess it could be worse, right?!

[Arizona]

Cost...yes eeewwwww well my son is now entering K (which we will get to in a minute) but before that we had him in a Montessori school which did OKAY from an education stand point but pricey as any formiable education place is here....we paid $740 a month which did not include lunch (we could purchase special lunch on Fridays for $2) or snacks (we had to supply snacks every other month for the entire class) for five days a week in AZ. He is now attending a private Christian school which is costing $4555.00 per year plus the cost of after school program about two hrs a day for price figured at about $1800 for the year. But what are we going to do we are in AZ and education is horrible here...we are 50th! I guess it could be worse, right?!

[obabe]

Last year Benjamin (who turned 3 yesterday!) went to an in home preschool type deal: 3 mornings a week, $220/month. This year he is going to preschool at our local JCC, and it works out to roughly $455 a month (we pay for the whole school year over three payments) 5 days a week, 9-1. We live in Chicago, and comparing to either coast, we're getting a good deal.
And can I add how jealous I am that Alex is potty trained?!?!?!?

[Kate]

Here in NYC, two mornings a week of private preschool is about $6,000 - 9,000 a year, three mornings is more like $7,000 - 10,000. Aaack.

[Gette]

My kids never went to preschool, except for some programming our daycare lady did, included in her rates. Headstart in these parts is free for qualifying family, whereas preschool rates are roughly the same as daycare rates. Unless you really need an outlet for socializing your child, or a sanity break (both valid needs) I can't imagine paying for preschool. We did fine with books, songs, and neighbor kids.

[heels]

My son is in a daycare that is also a wonderful preschool. We pay $25/day for full time. It works out to roughly $525/month and it's worth Every.Penny. All food is included. And it's not religious- that's a PLUS!!

[Karen]

We live in a fairly small town of less than 10,000. My child attends the local co-op preschool here. Tuition is $60 per month for M W F for 3 hours each day. I have to help in the classroom 2 days a month and take snack once a month. My twins who are almost 8 attended the same preschool for 2 years and are leaps and bounds ahead of their classmates.

[zookeeper]

We use the co-op preschool in town. For 3 year olds, it is 2x/week and $660 for the YEAR. For 4year olds it is a 3x/week program. And the cost is $820 for the school year (August thru June). It is a co-op, so I have to help out in the class 3-4 times during the school year (the class mom schedules these days for me) and I also serve on some other committee (maintenance, fund raising, hospitality, party planning, etc.)