Cost of a kindergarten program - poll? Thoughts? - Page 2

[greenmansions]

I'm in a high cost of living area, and we pay $330 a month for 3 half days, meaning 9 am to 1pm and that is for a preschool. For kindy, 8:45 am to 1:15 pm 5 days a week, we pay $565 a month. Both schools are "parent participation", or what are called co-ops her, and these tuitions are mid range to low-ish for our area though for the kindy it is hard to benchmark as there are not many co-op kindergartens. Co-op means a parent is required to help out in class on a regular, assigned basis arriving about 15 mins early to help set up and staying 30-60 mins late to clean up (including mopping floors, scrubbing toilets and taking out trash), as well as take on a parent job to help run the school.

You do not make it clear what you consider to be a "morning" - around here that can range from a 2 hour to a 4 hour program. I'd evaluate your price based on what's included, how long it runs, and what similar programs cost in your area.

[widemouthedfrog]

It works out to around $8/hour for instruction. I've now compared it to a number of recreational programs - which is more what it is - and that seems to be pretty reasonable. For child care or for preschool/kindie it is in the mid to high range.

I really hope that people will use the government subsidy to bring down the cost to a $140-$190/month level and that we can seek a little bit of funding after we become a formal society. That way, we can offset the cost for some/all families (or a combo of both) in 2011.

Being equitable and accessible to both families and teachers is hard.