Need HELP about Preschool ASAP!

kertybird · June 2010

Not sure what to do. I signed up Elle for 2 different preschools and since both were hard to get into I wasn't expecting to get into both! We are leaving for vacation so I need to make this decision today!

#1 Excellent preschool, my DH and his sisters all went there. Super nurturing on 25 acres, has veggie gardens and wide open spaces for the kids to play. My DH swears the reason he LOVED school was because of this place. It is 25 mins away and it is an all day program 2 days per week. DH Feels strongly that Elle should go there and it was my #1 pick. $400 a month. We could cut back and afford it, but I am concerned that my office rent is going up so I will already have extra expenses starting in August.

#2 A community program through our parks and rec. It is held at our neighborhood community center. It is right in between my house and office (about a 2 min walk) I can actually see the building from my office window! It is 2 days per week for 3 hours a day. There could be a problem with picking her up after class if my husbands schedule would change (very likely but we don't know when) $480 for 6 months. I have already paid in full, so I would not have to worry about the monthly expense until January.

My ideal situation would be to do the community program this year and start Elle at the more expensive preschool next year. I hate to be cheap, but I also don't want to overspend!

xbrooklyngrl · June 2010

#1 sounds fabulous but there's no reason why #2 can't be just as wonderful and having the convenience of being able to be right there as well as the cost savings is enough for me.

Did you like/love #2?

AnnapolisLari · June 2010

#2, no question.

$400 a month seems like a ridiculous amount to spend on preschool. And all day is a looooong time for preschool. I am not even a fan of all day kindergarten.

peekaboo716 · June 2010

Tough choice!

Can you approach #1 and ask them if you can suspend her start until next year?

And can you get your money back from #2 if you decide on #1?

My preference is for an all-day program, so I would choose #1, but that cost difference is huge. It sounds like #1 was your first choice, so maybe going with that is the way to go. I'm no help.

Zenya · June 2010

AnnapolisLari:
#2, no question.
$400 a month seems like a ridiculous amount to spend on preschool. And all day is a looooong time for preschool. I am not even a fan of all day kindergarten.

agree!

KrisBriMcBunny · June 2010

I'm gonna go with #2 only because thats alot of money just for 2 days even if it is full day.

Chrisy-Wyobride · June 2010

I'd pick #1.

Marchmamma · June 2010

While I would love to pick #1, 400 a month is a lot of money.

I'd go with #2.

wellfleet04 · June 2010

I don't think $400 a month is THAT expensive just on principle, depending on where you live and COL. It's on the low end of average for around here. But, if it's too expensive for your family financial goals right now, then that's a different question.

That said, I think there is value in your DH's sentimental feelings of sending your DD to the school he went to. I would LOVE to send my kids to my old preschool (we don't live where I grew up) and that would be so meaningful to me.

I don't think the "academics" of preschool matter much if they are both good, play-based programs, so you have to make the choice based on emotional and financial factors. Personally, I'd chose #1 because of how much it mattered to my husband.

lucyfox · June 2010

Hey! Is choice number 1 MR preschool by any chance??

I'd totally do number 2. She still has 2 years of preschool so you can always do that one next year if you want- the location of the second is way better and seriously- it's JUST preschool you know? 4 hundy a month is a lot! And a full day is a TON for a kindergartner, much less a 3 year old.

hopefulmom · June 2010

I would do number 2 this year and number 1 next year when she is older. All day is too long for my kids. Heck...they'd come home from 1/2 day Kindergarten and take a nap some days.

AggieCouple · June 2010

$400 a month sounds very reasonable to me, especially for the school you are describing.

#1 sounds amazing. I'd probably go with that, despite the price.

SumnerBride · June 2010

#2. For the money, and because I don't think 3 year olds need a full day program.

cbidt*sgirl · June 2010

It depends what happens at the full day program. My son is at preschool through his childcare center. He's there the full day, but he's not worn out cuz it is planned appropriately . It's play based, they take a nap, it's really a combo of childcare and preschool. He goes two full days per week and $400 /month for full day here is a bargain in comparison to our bill!

kertybird · June 2010

Hey Erin, it is Anne Sullivan...Damn I was hoping everyone would agree...but I am so torn!

RCH151 · June 2010

Personally, I'd go with # 1 but maybe that's because I've become accustomed to the high costs associated with anything my child does.

AnneUCSB · June 2010

I would go with #1. $400 does not seem high to me and you don't want to regret missing out on an experience for your DD if is turns out you don't like #2.

lucyfox · June 2010

Anne Sullivan was my next guess.

That one is on my list for Jett

A lot of my cousins/fam went there too! The local IS a little far from you...HMMMM I still think I might do 2 and then send her to AS next year. That way she still gets the experience but you can do option 1 next year with the price/local that is more convenient for you for this year. I dunno, hard choice but either way you can't go wrong!

Expecting0207 · June 2010

#2.

My DD did go to where I went to preschool up until 3 weeks ago when we moved. The cost difference is huge - and regardless of the COL, that is ALOT to pay for preschool when your other option is the same price for nearly 6 months as your first option is for one month! There is no comparison on the price. Take the $3840 you will save over the course of a year and enroll her in some supplemental classes and activities.