preschool.... am i overreacting?

[mlg1989]

How much is preschool is your area?? I just looked up one by us since DS will be that age now and for TWO DAYS A WEEK FROM 12-2PM THEY WANT.... *drumroll* $1800 for one year?!(not including summer) That seems so astronomical!! Why so much for two hours, two days a week?! I want him to be in more social environment (only child and I'm the only one out of my friends that has a child this old) but I can teach him everything at home for all this!!! Is this price average or am I just being a cheapskate(we only make $1100 every 2weeks)

Oh snap!!! I was wondering why I was getting so many responses!! Yay for being featured!

[MrsJ_08]

Do you have a YMCA?

[Anonymous]

if you don't want to pay that much just join a mom group and meet up 2-3 times a week for play dates; you can teach your own child things they learn in preschool yourself but its the socialization you want so my suggestion would be mom groups and play dates.

also if you can afford it its really not that big of a deal, and if you cant afford it but still really want DS to go there might be programs that will allow reduced tuition for preschool. good luck :)

[dfcinnamon]

I would say so.  You are out of your frigging mind to pay this much for that. 

[jessesbride]

THAT IS INSANE!!!!  We've had 2 foster boys the past 2  yrs that were in the age group 2-4 yrs & I paid maybe 1/2 that (if even) for 4 days+ each week for the entire year.  Check out some church preschools.  Also, if you can do it cheaper (& WILL work with your child on a daily basis), I suggest doing it yourself!!!

Kim 

[Anonymous]

This is completely within norms for preschool.

It really depends on what preschool you are looking at. You pay for what you get for your child. The free or low cost ones would be through park districts or a public school in the area. Those are usually hard to get into and are modeled more like a "play school". Private preschools whether faith based, montessori, or any "real pre school" will cost money. In chicago I have paid almost $4,000 per child 13 years ago for full time preschool. It was for a Montessori Catholic school preschool program. Best thing I did. They learned so much and had such a kick start academically. I have three kids, all who went through 2 years of preschool, K-8th at the same private school, and now are in the middle of their high school years at a prestigious Catholic high school. It cost BIG BUCKS!! But, I think in the end...it's worth it. We have done without A LOT of things and sacrificed a lot for their schooling. The Chicago public schools are horrible by me. Magnet type schools are okay, but hard to get into.

If money is an issue, look for financial aid at most private schools, or if you just want socializing (which now a days preschool should be more about learning) check out a park district or your local public school.

[MommyLovesAri]

That is outrageous for 4 hours a day! My daughters preschool is $125 a week for 5 days from 9:05 - 3:45 and she is three yrs old.

[mlg1989]

Its two hours a day!!! 4 a week lol

Quoting MommyLovesAri:

That is outrageous for 4 hours a day! My daughters preschool is $125 a week for 5 days from 9:05 - 3:45 and she is three yrs old.

[Mamie_85]

The only preschools we have in our area are Catholic or headstart. So, we haven't done preschool. I might start sending my youngest this year, just because he really wants to go. Headstart is free, of course and the Catholic school isn't an option because we're atheist.

[britt6]

Just so everyone knows there is the option of teaching your child at home. There is a program online called 
http://www.mothergoosetime.com/default.php

    It's kinda like K12's homeschooling program. Each month they send you a learning package for that month. You can order monthly or you can opt to order a whole years worth at once.

I believe it's 54.99 a month but you get discounts for ordering 3+ months at a time. 

[Aeonix]

We paid more than that for the same amount of time, and it was a pre-k through the district school. Private pre-k was far, far more expensive. It was an excellent pre-k but it's certainly not cheap!