Preschool prices

How can people afford preschool? the prices here are blowing me away! I've been researching again because the kids are driving me nuts and I'm not sure they will qualify with EI in February, but it looks like we'll have to save and wait for pre-k at this rate.

Haven't found anything under $230 a month for 2 mornings a week, and even that is too much right now.... the last place I talked to didn't want to give me the price on the phone, I said I wasn't going to drag my kids there just to see that it's too expensive for us, and she finally caved in and told me it's $118 a week for 2 mornings. I wouldn't make that much if I worked... heck I couldn't even afford daycare either as they're asking over $700 a month per child...

Now to figure out how to survive the next 2 years :headbang:

 

Wow. That does seem expensive for two half days. I'm in a bit of a different situation because my kids go to daycare full time (Sept-May)and their preschool is included in that. I pay $225 a week for them to attend from 7:30-4:30 M-F. I also live in a rural area so that may have something to do with it.

 

Do they have any sliding scale type of places where you live? There are quite a few here that you pay according to your income and that might be an option? I also found that the montessori schools have good scholarship programs and it never hurts to ask! I just ended up getting a new job because I couldn't afford daycare at my old one so I definitely know where you are coming from!!!

 

That's how it is for us too!! :gah: :grr: It's ridiculous!!

Have you checked preschools that are affiliated with churches? I didn't want to at first but after seeing what their prices were compared to other preschools in our area, I went for it. :good: Good luck!! And don't stress over it too much, it won't ruin them if they don't go. :hug:

 

It's the same prices for us... Have you checked into low income subsidized (sp?) schooling? The state pays for most of it and you pay a certain amount depending on the amount of money you make.
Have you talked to your case manager through EI? They might have some suggestions or an "in" somewhere.
Good luck!

 

Its very pricey here too. Because of the cost, we've decided not to send the girls this year (3 year old program), and instead will wait until they go to pre-k thru our school district next year.

 

I haven't looked into preschool prices because my kids are in daycare, but these prices all seem cheap to me! Must be my area! I pay $700 per month for 2 days a week, full days. Some weeks I add a 3rd day, pushing my daycare costs to almost $1100 some months. I have friends with kids in full time daycare who pay $1800 for 2 kids. I can definitely see why parents stay at home & keep their kids out daycares/preschools!

Sounds like you've gotten some great suggestions! I know daycares offer assistance according to incomes, so I'd assume preschools would too?

You say your kids are driving you nuts, so are you wanting preschool as something to stimulate them or some time for them to be away from home? If it's stimulation, maybe sign up for classes or get a Children's Museum membership instead (that's much cheaper!). I know our local Parks & Rec has various classes, some as cheap as $5 per child. Of course, you'd have to go with them at that age, but it's at least something to get out of the house & do something different. Libraries have story times & stuff, too...those are free! Just a thought.....

 

I can't handle my kids alone in the library let alone museums, lol. We have a membership to one but it's 45 minutes away and they just run opposite directions and even with dh it's hard to manage. The local indoor place is expensive but I'll check it out (was going to yesterday but they close 2 hours earlier on Sunday now grrr).

I checked churches too but there isn't much in the area, and we're not religious so I don't want a program that is too religious.

Dh makes too much to qualify for most grants, we just bought a house though and had to buy new furniture so that's why we can't afford that much without sacrificing too much on the side... and we don't even have car payments or go on vacations. Just hate spending so much on what's mostly a glorified daycare in most places.

I'm leaning towards the Y now... I could use the exercise and they offer free childcare for up to 2 hours at a time, so I'm going to take a look at the facilities and how many kids there are per adult and we'll see...

 

This is what I do right now is go to the gym. We also do a lot of playdates with a group I found on meet-up. It's awesome because all the moms watch out for each other's kids. It's like a breath of fresh air. The only complaint I have with the gym is that they get sick almost every time we go. I know a lot of it is because they've never been in daycare so they haven't been exposed to as many germs + we just moved. It still is a lifesaver to get out of the house. They're happier and I'm happier.

 

I just thought of something... Do you have a local college near by? We have a couple and they run a program through their Early Childhood Education program called College Nannies. They are pretty cheap and are just nannies but because they are going through these classes maybe talking to one of the teachers you can get an idea of someone that wants to come and teach your kids... I know in a lot of the classes they have to do studies on kids and do big projects on how to teach kids shapes for example. They may need you as much as you need them. Just a though.

 

Wow, that does seem a bit expensive. It definitely won't hurt them not to go & it sounds like the Y might be a great alternative. Does your area have a city parks & recreation department? I know ours offers all types of classes for preschool aged kids that are relatively inexpensive. They have recently added a preschool program that is really affordable & I have heard good things about it. It might be worth checking to see if you city offers any kind of programs that might interest them.

 

That is the same thing I found when I looked as far as prices. It's crazy, especially considering it's not even for a full day of school! I also bring my girls to the childcare at the gym and there they do arts and crafts projects. I'm guessing they don't do much more than arts and crafts in the 2 year old class anyway.

 

I think you've gotten great suggestions for alternatives! I would suggest looking for alternatives instead of finding something cheaper. You really do get what you pay for and probably don't want to go on the cheaper side when trying to find care for your children. You're right at this age they can be glorified daycares...so I think some other activities PP mentioned to fill their day is a better idea for now.

 

I have the same problem Fran, preschool is expensive in our area too. The city playgrounds do offer a half day preschool program for 2 or 3 days a week but that's when the kids turn 3 and I think depending on the playground it runs $70-$100 per month per child. If I don't find a job by January, I think I will be signing the kids up for that. At least it's something for now. I don't know if your town or where you live offers anything like that.
We also do not qualify for any subsidies as well.

 

check into your local United Way - our preschool director turned me on to this last year - United Way gives grants (which have MUCH higher income limits than state subsidy) that can potentially reduce your preschool costs to pennies! I didn't qualify last year (made over $75K combined income) but I will this year because I've been out of work all summer...I'll probably be paying $25 per week per child and thats for 3 FULL days per week (8:30-4:30)...

 

My DD is going to full day Kinder on Sept 7th and we are in desperate need of the money we have been paying for her to go 3hrs, 3 days a week for the past 2 years. Its $70 a week which is $280 for a 4week month & $350 for a 5 week month. This is a private school. With this money we will break even on our bills again & stop getting deeper in debt.

My sons just had their 3rd EI evaluation & they both qualified for receptive speech, fine motor and self care delays. They are turning 3 in October & we are going thru the public school evaluations now to see if they are eligible for a free special education program. I am hoping for at least 2 mornings a week for both together. One of my sons should qualify but the other may not. We have some big decsions to make if only 1 or both of them do not qualify. I think we can swing the public school price for 1 child but they don't make the bday cutoff so if they don't get in because of their delays they won't get in this year. I am most concerned about their delays not being "enough of a delay" and what will happen if they take a year off. In addition I could really use a break for myself.

I hope you can find an affordable alternative.

Loralyn

 

Preschool is definitely out of my price range. So I have opted to 2 choices in the past. I got a few other moms together(from church) and we did our Mommy preschool at age 3. I did it once a week with twins but with my DD I did twice a week. We did story time for the 2nd day with my twins. We agreed on a simple curriculum....there is lots of help out there with ideas and themes. It was lots of fun and my boys got the social exposure and learned some letters and other basic preschool skills.

The other option I have used is the Preschool Programs at the local high school. I am a Home Ec teacher so I am certified to run one. The preschool is run by the child care (high school) students who are looking at having careers dealing with children. Every thing they do is supervised and planned with the help of a real teacher. The price around here is $95 per semester for 3 days a week. SO very affordable.

Good luck finding something.

Cindy

 

Please keep in mind that the point of preschool is NOT academics, it is social skills. The basic academics they learn are bonus. Mine never went as a 2 year old, but they did go at 3 and 4. One was already reading before he ever started preschool (and that was on his own, I never even did flashcards with them). They learned what many of the previous posters said, about how to be a part of a group, take turns. And yes, they even had to learn how to ask to go to the bathroom. Academically, at 3 they learned colors and shapes--one color and shape per month (and it is amazing how they could spread that over a full month!). As 4's they worked on numbers and letters and letter sounds. BUT, they also learned to cut (I never gave them scissors), they were allowed to paint, and did a lot of fun crafts. They also learned how to make friends!

 

I priced preschools and decided that the church programs weren't for us and Montessori is too expensive. We opted for the free/cheap and frequent activity route. We started with weekly trips to library storytime and it wasn't easy the first few times but they learned what was expected and it got easier. I figured out which of the area parks were more manageable for us because of things like visibility and proximity to the parking lot and would take them to the good places often. I then added a free, weekly nature class at a state park. We went for zoo or museum trips whenever I could get a second adult to assist. I supplied lots of art supplies and read online about what kids entering K should know to come up with my own little curriculum which I offered in a very non-structured way. The result is that my kids are doing GREAT in K in spite of their late birthday and lack of preschool.

So, it is possible to get something equivalent but it requires more effort.

 

Thanks for posting this! We are pretty much doing what you are doing with the help of our sitter (b/c I work full time), and it seems be working great. My girls get lots of socialization at the park and library programs, and they are learning so much ('academically') at their own pace and focusing on their own interests. I'm signing them up for a community-sponsored dance class in the fall too.

So glad to hear your boys are doing great in K because I worry about next year when my girls enter 5 days a week preK in the elementary school. I fear they will be wild, uncontrollable beasts :laughing:

 

When I first read this, I thought you said breast. Wild, uncontrollable breasts :laughing: I was very curious, are they well-shaped or will they be dragging in the sand

 

Oh, I forgot swimming lessons. We did those as well and it was the kind without me in the pool so they were taking direction from a teacher figure (and they can swim independently now!)

Honestly, I thought my boys might get into trouble in K because of their energy level but instead the energy is being channeled and directed and they're thriving with a 7-hour day of structured activity. The one kid in their class I've noticed struggling with separation during drop-off went to daycare and preschool but for whatever reason does not want to go to kindergarten. Sometimes you can't how they'll do based on preparation.

I feel like there is a ton of pressure to enroll kids in preschool and I was essentially told that I was setting my kids up for failure by putting them in kindergarten at "almost 5" and especially because they're boys and they didn't even go to preschool. So, I feel like I need to speak up because it hasn't been anything like what people said. They didn't know any of the routines the first day so their lack of experience showed a bit but they had them down the second day as well as any of the other kids. Aside from her inability to tell them apart, they aren't causing the teacher any trouble at all and they're handling the pace of the class just fine.

 

They are really expensive where we live too. Check out the developmental preschools for kids with delays in your local school district. They are often looking for peer models.

 

I know it's very pricey!!!! We pay about $1300 dollars in day care for both the kids for 3 Half days a week
Most of the pre-schools in our area enroll kids at age 3. So, next year, I am definitely changing them to pre-school!!!

 

Right now my girls are in daycare in the same town I work in. For both of them, full time, we pay $175/week. That is much less than the town we live in where it's like $110/week/child. That price includes breakfast, snack, and lunch. They do lessons and all types of structured things as well as just having free play.

 

It is insanely expensive here too. It would have cost me $300 a week (lowest price/decent center I could find) for full-day PreK, or $200 a week for part-time. Thankfully I have a BS in Early Childhood Education, so I decided to go back to teaching in a preschool that had availability in their 4yo classroom to fit both kids. I get a provision on their care in addition to a paycheck, so it thankfully all worked out.

 

I am a SAHM for the exact reasons above. These programs cost an arm and a leg. I would have to pay for all day care/ preschool for the twins and before and after for my oldest who is in 3rd grade. It is not worth it if you can afford not to work (which we do with major cutbacks and lots of coupons). Thankfully I am only going to have to pay 170 a month for both of my girls at the local church. I also am not very religious, but there is nothing wrong with the kids getting other perspectives in life. The program runs 3 hours a day three days a week. They will be in the 3 year old program. Next year they will go 4 days a week for 3 hours a day. Snacks and supplies are included in the price. I am fortunate and excited!

 

Have you looked at your county Parks and Rec programs? They often have preschool programs. We didn't enroll for reasons that have nothing to do with price. But in order to keep the cost down, one parent has to volunteer in the classroom 1x/month/child (so with twins you would have to volunteer twice per month). The program was about $80/month for 2x/week - and this was in suburban Washington DC where mortgage payments are $3000/month.

 

I just found a program in my town that's 2x week for 2 year olds. I thought I read it was $50/month. She just emailed me and said it's $150/month. I was all set to sign them up. Now, I think we'll wait til they are 3 and do the preschool through the town.

 

There isn't one. There's a parks board but that's it.

 

Expensive here too. I am working at a preschool in exchange for my kids enrollment. For 3 mornings a week (8:30-12) it is normally $400 a month per child. We could never afford to send them if I didn't work there and we will still owe a little even after my work but working is helping my mental health so it is worth it.

Have you checked with EI? Our program has a preschool program. Half the kids are EI eligible and the other half are "main stream" kids so they don't qualify for EI. They charged based on sliding scale and last year they took our kids for free while dh was unemployed.

 

I'm hoping they qualify with EI... they both have speech therapy, but they might not be 'delayed enough' by the time they are 3 to get in preschool with them... DD is more likely to qualify but I hope they can take DS too in this case.

 

I think we are all in the same boat. I am nodding my head as I read these posts. I went through this all summer trying to figure out what to do. My son did qualify for free special ed preschool and thus I wasn't sure what to do with my daughter. I knew she would be very upset if she saw her brother going to preschool every day and she couldn't go. First thing to do is ask the special ed preschools around you if they accept "typicals". This is free as well and basically means your children are "role models' for the students who need them to be. If that is not an option (wasn't for me) then definitely look more into the church preschools. I found one here for $390 a month for preschool 5 days a week from 9;15 to 12:15 everyday! Yes they do "chapel" and while I believe in God, I'm not a big church goer but I really don't think it will hurt my daughter to do that. They do a lot of socialization stuff and that is what I am after for her, wanting her to learn how to take turns and be polite. This church would love to have us join but doesn't push us to. It's really a nice program. It worked out for us. But before I made that decision, another thing to look into is see if your area has any preschool "co-ops". I had not heard of this before but they are cheaper because you have to put in time to help out 1 or 2x a week depending on the program. Do a google search in your area to find one of these. That might help. Typically they either are run by moms too who take turns teaching and take turns having a "break" or run by independent groups who just want you to come volunteer once or twice. We were going to do this before we found the awesome church preschool.

Good luck!

 

Yes I looked coops are almost as bad, lol

 

:gah: Sorry about that!