Preschool Questions

I was going to make this a poll, but it would really serve no purpose as there are too many variable factors to make it useful within the confines of the poll options.

Would like to get a feel for some preschool variables and how they relate to pricing for everyone. Thanks for any input as I start my local 'field research' for the perfect preschool experience.

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural
How many hours per day?
How many days per week?
Price per student?
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much?
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered?
Are they required to be potty trained?
Teacher:student ratios

I think I found a too-good-to-be-true option and I just want to get a nation-wide reality check b/c it's hitting the mark on every single item I want and exceeding most of them, yet the pricing is significantly below market value for our area. I have yet to do the observation, but have gotten incredible recommendations from people whose opinion I value in this arena.

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural: We are sub-suburban About one hour north of NYC.
How many hours per day? - 2:45 (9:15 AM - 12 Noon)
How many days per week? 5 (at 4; when they were 3, it was 3 days a week)
Price per student? A lot. I'll have to get back to you. A lot. ETA: I got the price -- this year it's $3925 for the school year each kid. I think that comes out to about $98/week or $20/day.
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? 10%
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? It's a Jewish school, and since half the family is Jewish I like that they are getting it -- it's all the cultural stuff, not heavy on religion. Otherwise, the philosophy is all "good kid" stuff; and they mostly do "learning through play" -- they've learned a lot
Are they required to be potty trained? They were not
Teacher:student ratios 3:18

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural Suburban (DC Metro)
How many hours per day?8 hours
How many days per week?5
Price per student?$811 every two weeks
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much?Yes, 10%
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered?They do learning through play, associated with NIH
Are they required to be potty trained?Not if they start at 3
Teacher:student ratios2:15 with a floater


This is on a government site. The other ones that we looked at in the area were much higher in cost and the ratios were a little higher (general 2:20). Some required potty-training while others didn't. I work full-time so they are there full days Monday-Friday. Hope this helps!

 

Great post!! can't wait to see the responses. we are currently in the midwest and getting ready to move to the east coast.

currently...
Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural midwest/subsurban
How many hours per day? 1 hr 45 min
How many days per week? one (2 yr old class/turned 3 in oct.)
Price per student? $35/month
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? none
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? yes, both seem to be balanced.
Are they required to be potty trained? nope
Teacher:student ratios 2:8




getting ready to find out...
Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural east coast/urban
How many hours per day? 4
How many days per week? 2
Price per student? $130-150/month
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? 10%
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? seems to be but not there yet
Are they required to be potty trained? nope
Teacher:student ratios 2:12

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural suburban
How many hours per day? 2.25
How many days per week? 2
Price per student? $70/month
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? not sure, my twins don't go yetAre you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? yes
Are they required to be potty trained? yes
Teacher:student ratios 2 teachers for 12 students

 

Your general location - city of less than 10,000
How many hours per day? 3.5
How many days per week? 2
Price per student? $280 PER MONTH- when they move up to 3 yr old it is $230/MONTH
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? 10%
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? yes.
Are they required to be potty trained? no. in 3 yr. old class if they are not- it is a $35/perkid per month diaper fee.
Teacher:student ratios 2:10

Pretty much my guys are there for the socialization and to give mommy a break!!! It is very close to our house and
the employees are very helpful in all areas.
Lanie

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural. I am in the northeast, in a suburb 15 miles south of Boston.
How many hours per day? 2 hours 45 minutes
How many days per week? 2
Price per student? $135
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? Twin discount is 25% so I pay $236.25 for both kids.
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? I have my kids in a preschool that is run by a congregational church. They don't teach religion in the classroom, but I am sure when the holidays come they will learn about Jesus (which is okay with us, as we are Catholic).
Are they required to be potty trained? Technically, yes, but as one of the teachers told us during our visit in the spring, they can't enforce the policy because it would be discrimination.
Teacher:student ratios 2:12

I didn't look far for preschools as I knew this one had a good reputation (they've been in business since I was born...that's a LONG time). I did look at the prices at my the twins old daycare center but it was going to be probably 3 times the cost.

 

My boys go to a preschool that is taught by high school students at the Tech Center of the High School. 500 year! We live in rural VT. they go 3 x's a week for 2 hours. BLISS for all.

I totally believe it is so important for kids to go to atleast one year of preschool prior to starting K. VT is working on something in the future

 

QUOTE(moski @ Nov 3 2008, 11:32 AM) [snapback]1053861[/snapback]
How many hours per day? 2 hours 45 minutes
How many days per week? 2
Price per student? $135

I did look at the prices at my the twins old daycare center but it was going to be probably 3 times the cost.


This is about the price we are being quoted also for the same hours/week. I just can't get over it, because everything else is (at least) twice the cost and for less hours, more parent involvement (like coming in and cleaning the facility on weekends), and less of an ideological match.

This place is non-religious, but values promoting multicultural experiences and tolerance with respect to religion/ethnicity, is set on 5 acres with a creek, pond, organic orchard & greenhouse, focuses on environmental education, wildlife appreciation, and has wilderness programs in addition to all the regular academic, art, music, etc. preschool offerings.

I don't understand how (or better yet WHY) they are offering this level of programming at pricing that is so below market value. They also have an incredible reputation. I can't wait to check it out in person. I had anticipated the preschool hunt to be a frustrating one since I was looking for something that was a good balance between an extension of our own values and exposure to diverse experiences.

 

I say jump on it! It sounds like everything you want for your little ones. I hope you find that when you visit it lives up to your expectations. The only real parent involvement in our school is to help with the different celebrations by donating food (the classes take turns "hosting" the parties, we had Halloween), fundraising which so far was just a dinner, and coming to the kids shows, etc. Our first will be at Thanksgiving.

Good Luck, I hope that this is the one for you!! When are they going to be starting?

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural- We are in the suburbs outside of Austin, TX
How many hours per day? 4 hrs per day 9:05-1:05
How many days per week? T/Th
Price per student? $190/per month
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? No discount, so we pay $380 a month for both
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? It's a non-denominational Christian school. We are non-practicing Catholics so I am fine with what they are learning.
Are they required to be potty trained? Yes, but they said they would work with us if they weren't. Ryan was really stubborn about training and literally didn't get trained till the month before we started
Teacher:student ratios. There are 15 kids in class and they have 1 teacher and 1 aide.

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural - Connecticut - Suburban
How many hours per day? 4 hours/day
How many days per week? 3 days/week
Price per student? $210/month per child
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? 10% sibling discount (additional 5% discount if tuition is paid in full in Sept)
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? It's a Lutheran preschool, we are non-practicing, so I'm happy they are getting some exposure to religion
Are they required to be potty trained? 3 & 4 year olds are, but there is also a 2 year old class that meets 2 days a week and they are not required to be potty trained (my twins were in that class last year)
Teacher:student ratios 18 students/3 teachers

 

QUOTE(moski @ Nov 3 2008, 03:11 PM) [snapback]1053937[/snapback]
I say jump on it!


Ditto. It sounds excellent!!!

Our preschool is great, but it's in a strip mall.

 

QUOTE(SweetpeaG @ Nov 3 2008, 03:00 PM) [snapback]1053921[/snapback]
This is about the price we are being quoted also for the same hours/week.


Is that per month?

Excellent, if so.

 

QUOTE(marieber @ Nov 3 2008, 03:52 PM) [snapback]1054035[/snapback]
Is that per month?

Excellent, if so.


Mine is the monthly rate.

 

QUOTE(marieber @ Nov 3 2008, 12:52 PM) [snapback]1054035[/snapback]
Is that per month?
Excellent, if so.

:blush: Yes! ...technically it's $15 per day with the option to sign up for T/Th or M/W/F. But the two-day option (which works out almost exactly to Maureen's figures) is what we are looking at. This is the entire reason I started the post because I have done an initial perusal of preschool pricing in my area and this seems so off for our area. I wondered if it was so because it is, as you say, sub-suburban in location that would account for the difference. However, the other preschools nearby don't seem to be under market value whatsoever. :huh:

The more I learn about her program, the more I love, love, love it. Apparently she got a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to start the program. It's just so hippy-riffic I can't stand it.


ETA: BTW, Maureen...I don't mind being 'involved', but many of them require you to actually attend one day a week, attend parenting classes, do quarterly fundraisers, make semi-annual donations, monthly cleaning, semi-annual deep cleaning, etc. I am more than happy to contribute financially to the school, supply fees, etc., but I would honestly rather see the costs required for the school reflected in the tuition, up-front fees. I look forward to participating in field trips and special school functions, but I'm not looking for a co-op that calls itself a preschool.

 

QUOTE(marieber @ Nov 3 2008, 10:36 AM) [snapback]1053732[/snapback]
Price per student? A lot. I'll have to get back to you. A lot. ETA: I got the price -- this year it's $3925 for the school year each kid. I think that comes out to about $98/week or $20/day.


When you look at it annually it really makes you gulp. However, when you price it by the day (or hour), it gives a better comparison, IMO. I've been calculating things out to an hourly price in order to get a good comparison across programs as they vary in their days/hours of operation.

If it makes you feel better my 'great deal' is only 25% less than your 'a lot, a lot'.

 

Wow this thread has really been an eye-opener! Dh asked me last night if I started looking into preschools for the girls (since there are waiting lists here and they would be enrolling for either next fall or spring). Just looking at the websites makes me nervous. What a wide range of programs available... all the way from a 'day-school' preschool where the kids where uniforms (even the toddlers!!!) all the way to hippy-dippy lets dance and play and create (what I'm leaning toward). The one thing they all have in common is they are all EXPENSIVE! But everything is expensive here (ny).

To the OP: looks like a great program for your boys! Will this be for the fall or spring? (just wondering since you are almost exactly one year ahead of us... girls born 3/10/07).

 

LOL! Hippy-riffic! :rofl:

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural-- California - Suburban
How many hours per day? -- 3 hours
How many days per week? -- 2 days per week
Price per student?-- $165
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? Yes, a $10 discount. So we pay $320 a month.
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? The preschool is part of a church, but the only religious part is when they pray before snack time. Most of the arts and crafts and stories are "general" everyday ones. Their focus is "learning through play" and not so much on straight academics. I personally feel at age three that this is approppriate.
Are they required to be potty trained? Yes. All must be potty trained before they start school. No pull-ups.
Teacher:student ratios -- 2:10

 

I am giving you info for 3, 4, and 5 year old preschool. My boys are currently in the toddler class but the cost and days are different then it will be next year.

Your general location - suburb 30 minutes south of Chicago
How many hours per day? 3 hours a day
How many days per week? 5 days
Price per student? $4,280
Twin/sibling discount? 10 % discount
Are you happy with the philosophy - It is Montessori and I do believe in their method
Are they required to be potty trained? PT is preferred.
Teacher:student ratios- I think it is 2 teachers for a total of 15 kids

[/quote]

 

QUOTE(Leighann @ Nov 3 2008, 01:34 PM) [snapback]1054145[/snapback]
To the OP: looks like a great program for your boys! Will this be for the fall or spring? (just wondering since you are almost exactly one year ahead of us... girls born 3/10/07).


We are planning to start in September 2009.

Around here (I think it is pretty common in most areas where demand is high), preschool registration occurs in January for the fall. I am looking into everything now as I will need to decide by Jan. 1 where we want to be in September.

There are two reasons we didn't do preschool this year (at 2.5)
1. My boys are very active and not the best sit-and-listeners, so we felt that a year of various parent/child classes was in order to expose them to following directions in a group setting. We are focusing on gymnastics (2-3x/week) and story time at the library now. In the spring we will attempt swimming lessons.

2. We just aren't ready to hand them out to outsiders yet (this is not in any way a commentary to those who started using outside care at an earlier age).

 

I am going to look at putting Liam in the same school we are in for September 2010, from what I've been told they give preference to siblings(He's a legacy, just like Flounder ). I will wait until he is 3 1/2 just as I did with the twins. That way all three of them will be in two years of pre-school before Kindergarten. I did two days this year and will do three days next year. Then when they are in K...woohoo...only one tuition!!! :banana:

And FWIW, I did put my deposit in on this school in Jan/Feb for September enrollment for all those that are looking ahead to the future.

 

Now

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural suburban
How many hours per day? 2
How many days per week? 2
Price per student? $104---$189 for both per month
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? 20%
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? nondenominational religious---yes we are happy, it is a basic Christian curriculum. Does not delve too deeply into issues. More an intro to Jesus, prayers, and basic bible stories
Are they required to be potty trained? no
Teacher:student ratios 8 students to 1 teacher & often a parent volunteer

Soon:

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural urban
How many hours per day? 5
Price per student? $687---$1,074 for both per month
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much? 20%
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered? Montessori---really like the play through learning experience
Are they required to be potty trained? no
Teacher:student ratios 12:1 24-30 kids and 2-3 teachers most of the time (some AM only kids)


I was a bit nervous about the 'low' price compared to some facilities in the area ( ranging from 200-500 $ more a month), but after visiting I was impressed. The building is old and the toys simple (no electronics or plastic toys) but I got a MUCH better vibe ( less chaotic, pleasant atmosphere) than the two more modern expensive facilities I went to. It is one of the few 'centers' in this urban area that is NOT home based and that may be the low price. The other facilties were in a more suburban- wealthier location ( though only 6 miles away).

 

Your general location - area of country, urban/suburban/rural- Inner-ring suburb, Midwest
How many hours per day? 2.5 hours
How many days per week?2, they can move up to three next year
Price per student?$120 per month - it is a private school, but the public school is the exact same price for preschool
Twin/sibling discount? If so, how much?Nope!
Are you happy with the philosophy (ie. religious/nonreligious, academic/experience) balance offered?So far I am loving it. It is the first year of preschool that has been offered at this small Catholic school, and I love that they teach a little of the God stuff, because I don't know how to teach that in an age appropriate way! I also love that they get outside everyday for a little play, no matter the weather, and I really respect the teacher and her aide.
Are they required to be potty trained?Yes, we were sweating that one but it turned out fine.
Teacher:student ratios 2 teachers to 15 students

 

Your general location -- northern burb of Atlanta
How many hours per day? -- four hours, 9am to 1pm
How many days per week? -- 2 days at age 2, 3 days at age 3, 4 days at age 4
Price per student? -- for 4-day four's, a little more than $4,000 a year, I think
Twin/sibling discount? -- None
Are you happy with the philosophy -- it's affiliated with a Methodist church, and they do continue private school through the 12th grade. Chapel once a week, blessings before meals, etc. - but we're okay with it. The rest of the curriculum is play-based, with only minimal "academic" effort, which I think is appropriate. That said, the teacher is getting some kindergarten materials for Nadia to work on, because the stuff they normally do is too easy for her...
Are they required to be potty trained? -- at 2, no. 3 and above, yes
Teacher:student ratios -- 6 to 1 for two's, and 7 to 1 for three's and four's, I think. This is a NAEYC-accredited school, so they follow those standards.