HOW do people afford preschool?? - Page 2

[whatsnextmom]

IDiazci, I am in San Diego too and sent you a private message about possibilities in our area.
 

Originally Posted by Diazcl 

Hi Bokonon,

I'm in San Diego and have been looking into preschool for my 4 year old twins. My husband has been laid off for about 8 months now. We have been turned away from the preschool programs based on our income. According to them we make too much to qualify for any program. With my income alone we are barely are able to cover our monthly bills let alone pay for preschool. Do you fall under the the SDUSD? Could you give me more information on the preschool program through the district you came across? I just want to make sure I explore every option possible. My kids won't be able to start K until Sep 2012 and I just think that is way too long for them to not be learning everything they should. We have bought some learning materials at home and work with them on the material, but my husband and I feel they are capable of learning at a faster pace and more effiecient way in a preschool setting. Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Amys1st]

I live in the  midwest. Both of my daughters attended a co-op preschool. They had a Parent/Tot class that was 2 hours once a week and that was $45 a month. They have a 2 day option for young 3 yr olds/4 yr olds, and a 3 day and PreK program. Also a PDO.

for the 3 day program which is 90% play, it was abour $100 a month. PreK which is 80% play and getting ready for kindy was about $125 a month.

We had  to do a houseekeeping day once a year, help in the class about 4 times a year and serve on a  committee. I loved helping in the class and DH would do it occasionally as well. After 7 years, we are now aged out. Writing out that last check was bittersweet.

[MJB]

We did a co-op preschool that was under $1000 a year when my middle son was in preschool (2 half-days at 3, 3 half-days at 4).

We're thinking of sending our toddler to a mother's day out program this fall, at about $200 a month (for 2 half-days).

We also spend several thousand dollars a year to send our middle son to private elementary school, which is a big stretch for us financially but we feel that it's necessary. 

[CariOfOz]

Brisbane Australia here... and my 5yo's last day of preschool is next week for this reason.  We get a child care benefit from the govt (most aussies do if they earn under ... about 100k I think) and ours has just changed considerably and for a 3 day preschool week, we were looking at about 550 dollars a month.  Financially just not doable, since we were paying about half of that a month ago.   I'm in the process of finding some playgroups for preschoolers in the area, and will find things like library story time etc to make up some of that lost social time between now and Prep (kindergarten) in Feb :)

[Alenushka]

So, usually we paid full fee because we both work. But one horriable year my DH was injured. We were in Jewish Community Center Preshool. We applied for a sholarship even thought I was pessimistic. They gave us %50 off.   So, I would actually look around for JCC, YMCA and private preshools that have fin. aid

[funkymamajoy]

We use a preschool through our city's rec program, its $75/month for preschool and $96/month for pre-k and there are scholarships available. Its 2 days a week for 2- 2 1/2 hours.

 We also have CA's First Five preschool available, if you qualify its free. Its 5 days a week.

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz 

Brisbane Australia here... and my 5yo's last day of preschool is next week for this reason.  We get a child care benefit from the govt (most aussies do if they earn under ... about 100k I think) and ours has just changed considerably and for a 3 day preschool week, we were looking at about 550 dollars a month.  Financially just not doable, since we were paying about half of that a month ago.   I'm in the process of finding some playgroups for preschoolers in the area, and will find things like library story time etc to make up some of that lost social time between now and Prep (kindergarten) in Feb :)

Quoting myself, because I had to share this bit of irony.  I just logged onto my boys' school webpage to find out that they will be opening a preschool onsite through an early childhood ed organization.  It's 3days one week, 2 days the next... and a whopping 25bucks a day *SIGH*   Not till next year, BUT it's good that there are affordable options upcoming for mum's like myself who don't NEED preschool to be able to work, but would like their kid to have that experience!