I registered my son in preschool
By foxyfire33
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
April 5, 2007 1:55am CST
My son just turned 4 so he will be starting preschool in the fall. I was just wondering how the cost of his program compares to other preschools. All three of my older children have also gone to this preschool and the tuition has increased each year. It's gone up another $10 since the 2004-2005 school year (the last year I had a child in it). When it first started (1999-2000) they only had two teachers and charged $30 per month for two sessions each week. Now they have 3 teachers, meet twice a week for regular preschool for 2 1/2 hours each day, and have a third class for kindergarten readiness for 4 1/2 once a week. My son's yearly tuition will be $900. How does this compare with preschools where you're from?
(It might make a difference to let you know I'm in Pennsylvania and this is a Christian based preschool)
2 people like this
7 responses
@nageswari75 (675)
•
5 Apr 07
I send my daughter to a nursery here in UK which is like preschool.they teach songs,letters etc.They charge £26 for morning sessions(8AM-1PM) and £24 for the afternoon sessions(2PM-6PM).My daughter goes 3 days a week which is the minimum but one does have the option of sending the child 5 days a week.they have group leaders for each group-18months to 2 yrs old have two leaders, and 3-5 yr olds have two or three group leaders.Only one is present at one time.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
5 Apr 07
Thanks for sharing! I have no idea how to convert that into US dollars to compare but I appreciate you letting me know. That's impressive that they have such long sessions at those ages and include even the small ones! Also that the minimum is 3 days, that's the maximum at this preschool. The one we're using is only for ages 3 1/2 to kindergarten age (which could be almost 6 depending on the child and what month their birthday is), with all 15 students in each class. The Wednesday class is for only those that will start kindergarten the following year. All 3 teachers are with all of the students for all of the classes.
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
5 Apr 07
Our public school here offers it for free but of course its not a Christian school. I do want to look into it but I think I'll wait if it goes up every year. She will be 2 in July so I'll have time and I'm sure it will be alot more by then. Sorry I couldn't help more
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
5 Apr 07
It's alright. It's interesting to hear about how preschool is done in other places. Some of the public schools here offer Pre-K for free but not the two we're closest too. I'm not about to drive 1/2 an hour away just for preschool!
@sick4muzick (816)
• Philippines
25 Apr 07
Hi foxyfire33. My niece and nephew just finished pre-school. Their parents spend around $53 as down payment during enrolment then every month they pay $24. More or less $290plus a school year per child. Classes start from 1:20 til 5:00 everyday. Parents can opt to put their kids in the morning classes too. It's quite inexpensive I guess from what you are paying. and here I am always complaining what high tuition the school has. We have lots of foreign students too. The school (Philippines) is a Chinese-Christian school with kinder, grade, high school and college. Thanks and have a good day!
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
24 Apr 07
In Florida we have a voluntary prek program that is free to those that live in Florida. They go from 8:30 to 11:30 Mon thru Friday and they have the same days off school that reg. school kids do. My son who just turned 4 will get to start this fall. He is very excited and so am I.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
5 Apr 07
How lucky! But how do they pay the teachers or buy materials?
@4monsters4me (2569)
• United States
10 Apr 07
I've never looked into the costs around here because I could never afford it. $900 is way too much for us, especially since we would have 2 in preschool.
My oldest is the only one that went to preschool. She went twice a week for 1 1/2 hours each day and it cost us $125 for the year. It was through the Chicago Park District.
We moved the next year (to PA) and my middle child was supposed to start preschool (he was 3) but there was nothing like that around here so we couldn't afford to send him to private school. He is 5 1/2 now and has never been to school and is supposed to start Kindy in the fall. My 4 year old has never been to school either. I just refuse to bankrupt us for schooling that isn't mandatory. We are moving back to Chicago this summer. My oldest two will be homeschooled and my 4 1/2 year old will go to the same preschool my oldest did so she can learn to socialize with kids who she isn't related to, lol.
