Pre K budget buster what would you do

[auralia]

so my state has public pre k IF you can get a spot... they cancled registration back in march i've been calling weekly to see when the registration would be rescheduled for i last called on a thursday well we missed registration it was on tuesday (five days after i last called) i call weekly because they were giving me crap about calling every day so friday the DAY after i called they announced pre k would register 8-4 on tuesday they put it on TV so EVERYONE would know they said... I dont watch tv ironically dh just finished hooking an antenna up to the tv at 11 last night so we could get the local news again (been TVless for 9 months) and that is where i saw that pre k registration had been that morning... get to the school my DD is number 14 on the wait list go to 3 other schools even longer wait lists. I found 2 day cares in my area with room that participate in the free pre k program them are relatively dirty that the caliber of the children left something to be desired (i know children are what we make them but they weren't being very nice to each other that i could see)

DD is VERY smart my states FREE prek programs main goal is socialization knowledge of basic shapes and numbers and alphabet. My dd knows her numbers to 50 minimum knows alphabet back and forward and can read some... she went up to the TV before the antenna was working and sounded out what was on the screan... she said mommy what does "No source" mean i've never told her what that says i almost peed myself she just turned 4 she also does basic addition and knows lots of random facts about animals this weeks project we are "growing butterflies' with one of those kits... anyway i'm a SAHM have a 5 month old and i try to teach my dd well... i'm guessing i do better than the public pre k program so here are my choices

10000$ non religous pre k (we are not religous people dh is an athiest and i just don't know what i am all i know is i'm not catholic like my mom wants me to be...) 6.5 hours per day 10000$ tuition fees and books 180 days

4500$ baptist pre k dd doesn't know lots about religion we go to christmas mass with my family (who live 2000 miles away ... we are military) and we go to church when ever we are visiting them she knows christmas is jesus birthday but there really isn't any prayer in our house so I don't k now if this would be weird for her or not I am totally ok with her learning relgion though... anyway this is 6.5 hours per day 4500$ not super nice like the 10000$ job but way nicer than the state funded stuff at the day cares 9-12 children per class i think

option 3 we are military we can do hourly prek at the CDC (on base day care center very nice very clean well staffed top notch) for 4$ per hour up to 24 hours per week so we could do 7 hours on tues and thurs for instance for a total of 14 hours a week for 54$ per week or 200-250 per month. I have heard the program is very good and she would get more out of this accidemically than a state funded free program 6.5 days per week

option 4 we put her in the free state pre k at the mildly dirty day care i looked up both the ones that have spots... they have 3 bad things on their record one of them seems netorious for rusted playground equipment and broken toys the other it seem staffing may be an issue because the citations were for leaving a 2 year old unattended after everyone finshed lunch so he ate off everyones left over plates... my dd would never do this also both places had a very definate diaper pail odor i do believe she would be "safe" there physically but also might not fit in she is pretty darn spoiled i save and am careful but she has been to disney 3 times and is 4 years old has been to grandma and grandpas lots in airplanes has lots of toys (most gifts but still she has a leapster explorer, leapfrog, ipod touch, portabl dvd player and a basic computer along with a nice swing set that her dad ad i built and one of those blow up water slides any way spoiled compaired to the children i saw it these places... and it doesn't bother me these kids arn't beneath my DD in any way but would she be teased or ignored because she is of such a differant house hold? there are 22 4 year old children PER teacher in the free program no assistants.

finance... we can afford the 10000$ if we skimp and save (i'm talking ramin noodles and never going out anywhere) but then she will have to go to public kindergarten next fall and will be WAY ahead of the other kids perhaps board and getting into trouble

4500$ i worry that this might not be much better than a state funded pre k because it is attached to a religious day care i plan on going for a visit to see i only saw them online havn't been able to visit yet also my husbands car is worth LESS than this... i mean thats kind of hard to swallow for something i didn't even do when i was a child and my college gpa was 3.87

military base CDC... can totally do the 250 per month we will just not do some of the "fun things" we would other wise do but she would only be doing 14-18 hours a week here vs 35 at a private pre k or at the free state pre k but i believe the instruction she would get here would be better than a weeks worth of instruction at the "free state funded in day care pre k"

i am on a wait list for my local schools pre k (which is at least cleaner and less scary because it isn't in a day care smelling of poo) and if i get that i will take it (can always pull her out and put her in the CDC if it isn't good). But if I don't get the wait list what option would you go for? is preschool 4500-10000$ important? is free 35 hours per week better then paid for 15 hours per week at a cleaner safer location with better staff (also note i would have more time to work with her in this senerio so she would get further instruction from me vs the free pre k teacher with 22 children in her class)? I just want to do what's best for DD with keeping budget in mind DH makes decent money but the $ that would pay for this will come out of his reenlistment bonus or my DD's college fund if i did the 4500$ or the 10000$ choice i would probably take half from her college fund and pay the other half from savings. (please note i really don't see the 10000$ happening just wanted to put all my options out there and look for opinions).

thank you all so much! i know the disers understand if $ was no object i'd put her in the best school money could buy but she will be going public starting in kindergarten no matter what.

 

[cvjw]

No way I would ever pay $10,000 for pre-K. Both of my boys went to church preschool. One went to a program that was very heavy into learning - think not many playground visits, and the other went to one that was heavy into playing - he came out spelling his name backwards. They are both honors students now- pre-K is for socializing your children and teaching them what school is about. Your DD will learn everything in real school, I wouldn't stress about pre-K so much. Although, I would never leave my child in a dirty, smelly school. About church preschool, both had lessons on God, and both went to chapel each week. We attend church regularly, so we were totally OK with the curriculum.

 

[laurafergie]

I will give the same advice I gave my cousin who was in the same place you are in. Save your money (the $10000) and use it if later if needed, like in middle school and high school.

Frankly, of the choices that you gave, I would take the military one, and supplement some schooling myself. NEVER would I pay 10 Grand for Pre-K, and this is from a parent that paid more for her son's high school education that his college. JMO

 

[scrapquitler]

option 3 we are military we can do hourly prek at the CDC (on base day care center very nice very clean well staffed top notch) for 4$ per hour up to 24 hours per week so we could do 7 hours on tues and thurs for instance for a total of 14 hours a week for 54$ per week or 200-250 per month. I have heard the program is very good and she would get more out of this accidemically than a state funded free program 6.5 days per week

This is the option that I would choose. I'd probably do 3-4 hours three times a week, then I'd work on the academic stuff at home. (Have you considered homeschooling in the future? this might be a good time to give it a whirl )

 

[albertamommyof4]

do you have to put her in Prek? why i ask is she seems to be very brite and and kindergaden grade level, so why pay anything and just keep her at home, do play groups with other mothers for the social aspect or just do the military one and just do 1 day a week or just 2 hours a couple days for the social aspect.
There is no way i would pay 10,000 for pre k

 

[SILLYANDI]

I say save your money, join a play group or mom's club for socialization, keep doing what you are doing and don't stress about it.

Having four kids who are all in school now I can tell you that there may be a noticable difference in kinder between preschool taught kids and those who never attended BUT that difference is quickly made up (by mid-first, maybe second grade) and the teachers can't tell you who had a formal pre-k from anyone else by then.
I have two kids who started kinder reading second grade or higher, one who was an average kid and one who has learning diabilities and struggles a bit. All of them started kinder at different levels academically and emotionally but all are just fine now (oldest in 7th, youngest in 2nd). They all learn in their own time and one year of early education is not going to sway the odds, in my opinion.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

You mentioned you are a SAHM. Is there any way you can keep her home and save your money? If you take her to a few free or non expensive programs (local library, YMCA, storytimes at Barnes and Noble etc.) for socialization and you continue to work with her I don't see what the problem would be. I can't see putting her someplace just to place her...you'd worry about her and it is clear that you are doing a great job with her academics. Are there any Moms groups you can become a part of for socialization?? There are books that can hlep you outline what your child should know after attending pre-school, can you get one and just work with her? Keep the money and let it grow for her college fund. Many people home-school their children for years. If you are committed to it I feel as though you would be great at it and you will both be happier.......just my opinion. Keep her name on the wait list and if it comes up then enroll her. I didnt see where you said how old she is? Is she eligible for Kindergarten next year? I just can't see enrolling her for the sake of "Getting her in " someplace. I taught first grade for 18 years. I know that most children do attend pre-school and it is a wonderful thing BUT having a parent who spends time with a child and works with them and allows them to socialize with other children is just as important and can give them the same foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Just my opinion. Good luck in whatever you chose to do.

 

[Marionnette]

so my state has public pre k IF you can get a spot... they cancled registration back in march i've been calling weekly to see when the registration would be rescheduled for i last called on a thursday well we missed registration it was on tuesday (five days after i last called) i call weekly because they were giving me crap about calling every day so friday the DAY after i called they announced pre k would register 8-4 on tuesday they put it on TV so EVERYONE would know they said... I dont watch tv ironically dh just finished hooking an antenna up to the tv at 11 last night so we could get the local news again (been TVless for 9 months) and that is where i saw that pre k registration had been that morning... get to the school my DD is number 14 on the wait list go to 3 other schools even longer wait lists. I found 2 day cares in my area with room that participate in the free pre k program them are relatively dirty that the caliber of the children left something to be desired (i know children are what we make them but they weren't being very nice to each other that i could see)

DD is VERY smart my states FREE prek programs main goal is socialization knowledge of basic shapes and numbers and alphabet. My dd knows her numbers to 50 minimum knows alphabet back and forward and can read some... she went up to the TV before the antenna was working and sounded out what was on the screan... she said mommy what does "No source" mean i've never told her what that says i almost peed myself she just turned 4 she also does basic addition and knows lots of random facts about animals this weeks project we are "growing butterflies' with one of those kits... anyway i'm a SAHM have a 5 month old and i try to teach my dd well... i'm guessing i do better than the public pre k program so here are my choices

10000$ non religous pre k (we are not religous people dh is an athiest and i just don't know what i am all i know is i'm not catholic like my mom wants me to be...) 6.5 hours per day 10000$ tuition fees and books 180 days

4500$ baptist pre k dd doesn't know lots about religion we go to christmas mass with my family (who live 2000 miles away ... we are military) and we go to church when ever we are visiting them she knows christmas is jesus birthday but there really isn't any prayer in our house so I don't k now if this would be weird for her or not I am totally ok with her learning relgion though... anyway this is 6.5 hours per day 4500$ not super nice like the 10000$ job but way nicer than the state funded stuff at the day cares 9-12 children per class i think

option 3 we are military we can do hourly prek at the CDC (on base day care center very nice very clean well staffed top notch) for 4$ per hour up to 24 hours per week so we could do 7 hours on tues and thurs for instance for a total of 14 hours a week for 54$ per week or 200-250 per month. I have heard the program is very good and she would get more out of this accidemically than a state funded free program 6.5 days per week

option 4 we put her in the free state pre k at the mildly dirty day care i looked up both the ones that have spots... they have 3 bad things on their record one of them seems netorious for rusted playground equipment and broken toys the other it seem staffing may be an issue because the citations were for leaving a 2 year old unattended after everyone finshed lunch so he ate off everyones left over plates... my dd would never do this also both places had a very definate diaper pail odor i do believe she would be "safe" there physically but also might not fit in she is pretty darn spoiled i save and am careful but she has been to disney 3 times and is 4 years old has been to grandma and grandpas lots in airplanes has lots of toys (most gifts but still she has a leapster explorer, leapfrog, ipod touch, portabl dvd player and a basic computer along with a nice swing set that her dad ad i built and one of those blow up water slides any way spoiled compaired to the children i saw it these places... and it doesn't bother me these kids arn't beneath my DD in any way but would she be teased or ignored because she is of such a differant house hold? there are 22 4 year old children PER teacher in the free program no assistants.

finance... we can afford the 10000$ if we skimp and save (i'm talking ramin noodles and never going out anywhere) but then she will have to go to public kindergarten next fall and will be WAY ahead of the other kids perhaps board and getting into trouble

4500$ i worry that this might not be much better than a state funded pre k because it is attached to a religious day care i plan on going for a visit to see i only saw them online havn't been able to visit yet also my husbands car is worth LESS than this... i mean thats kind of hard to swallow for something i didn't even do when i was a child and my college gpa was 3.87

military base CDC... can totally do the 250 per month we will just not do some of the "fun things" we would other wise do but she would only be doing 14-18 hours a week here vs 35 at a private pre k or at the free state pre k but i believe the instruction she would get here would be better than a weeks worth of instruction at the "free state funded in day care pre k"

i am on a wait list for my local schools pre k (which is at least cleaner and less scary because it isn't in a day care smelling of poo) and if i get that i will take it (can always pull her out and put her in the CDC if it isn't good). But if I don't get the wait list what option would you go for? is preschool 4500-10000$ important? is free 35 hours per week better then paid for 15 hours per week at a cleaner safer location with better staff (also note i would have more time to work with her in this senerio so she would get further instruction from me vs the free pre k teacher with 22 children in her class)? I just want to do what's best for DD with keeping budget in mind DH makes decent money but the $ that would pay for this will come out of his reenlistment bonus or my DD's college fund if i did the 4500$ or the 10000$ choice i would probably take half from her college fund and pay the other half from savings. (please note i really don't see the 10000$ happening just wanted to put all my options out there and look for opinions).

thank you all so much! i know the disers understand if $ was no object i'd put her in the best school money could buy but she will be going public starting in kindergarten no matter what.
Last edited by auralia; Today at 03:02 PM. Reason: omg i spelt budget wrong how is that possible on the budget board lol

I can find many reasons why you should not homeschool your child but I won't elaborate on them here. Of all the choices that you have listed, the one on base is probably the one best suited to your budget and your child's needs.

 

[Zoemakes5]

I paid $800 a month for preschool/preK program for my boys and it was almost 10 years ago now. It depends alot on your area.

One area of concern I'd have with the base day care is the continuity of care and the socialization, unless she always went on T/Th. "Drop in" programs can be great, but you tend to lose some of the in depth aspect of programs and science or art projects (basically think, if it's can't be done on the fly or completed within an hour, it's not generally going to happen.) It truly tends to be more of a day care or baby sitting than what I think of as preschool. Doesn't mean it's a bad program, just something to consider.

I've always had issues with education being linked to religion...it's my own deal, not a reflection on others, so the religious programs have never been an option for us. So I can't give you guidance.

Are you needing care? Do you work outside the home and she needs to be someplace? If not, based on what you're telling us about her mental acuity, I'd look at moms groups and enrichment programs that give her the added socialization without costing so much, or at least focusing on an area of enrichment you're interested in.

Another option might be in home day cares or college sitters. I did that when I was in college and it was great. Especially if you could "share" a sitter with another family. Provides care and socialization.

 

[cheap traveler]

You mentioned being a stay-at-home Mom. Is there a 5th option of staying home with you? As everybody has pointed out, pre-k is about socialization. If you have the option of keeping her with you, you could maybe look for some sort of class/lessons to socialize her (dance, gymnastics, music lessons...)

Now, just so you know, I'm one that paid over $10,000 for my older daughter's pre-k, and I was very happy about it. My younger daughter was accepted into our district's free pre-k, and I'm really unhappy with it. She has learned a fair amount, and I think the group of children are better, but the private school taught a wider range of subjects, not just ABCs and numbers.

Lastly, if the free program smells bad, that is a warning. Maybe make a second visit to see if you had the bad luck of arriving right after a diaper change?

Good luck!!

 

[auralia]

Yes I'm a sahm so she can just stay with me but I really feel she needs socialization in a structured environment. I haven't found any moms groups not affiliated with churches this poses a problem because we don't attend church. If I did the military route it wouldn't be drop I. They don't take dropins you have to secure a time during the week and it must be the same every week.

Dd had close to 10000 in her college fund any amount which can be withdrawn at any time so long as its educational expenses

She just turned four and will be pre k 2011-2012 and kindergarten 2012-2013

We will be stationed here until January for certain then we will either get orders for 2 more years her or move overseas (England or germany).

 

[Leajess99]

Yes I'm a sahm so she can just stay with me but I really feel she needs socialization in a structured environment. I haven't found any moms groups not affiliated with churches this poses a problem because we don't attend church. If I did the military route it wouldn't be drop I. They don't take dropins you have to secure a time during the week and it must be the same every week.

Dd had close to 10000 in her college fund any amount which can be withdrawn at any time so long as its educational expenses

She just turned four and will be pre k 2011-2012 and kindergarten 2012-2013

We will be stationed here until January for certain then we will either get orders for 2 more years her or move overseas (England or germany).

Not sure what base or post you live close to but I know ours has reading programs at the Library as well as various sports and other opportyunities for socialization. Not all kids go to preschool and most do perfectly fine in school.

 

[Green Tea]

Not sure where you live, but even in my tiny town we have at least 5 preschools. They are based in churches, but are not teaching a specific doctrine. They are just preschools. 2 days a week from 9-12 are well under $100 a month. 4/5 year olds generally go 4 or 5 days a week, so a little more but no where near 10K. Keep looking and researching.

 

[auralia]

we are AF stationed on an Army base they have a mothers group but they are segregated by age so there is one group for age 0 to 2 (my youngest child is 5 months) one 2-4 and one 4-6 so i don't really know how that would work at all. there are 700 airforce where we are and lots of army people in training the code of conduct for the AF here is very strict about rank dh is e6 so most of the people with kids our age can't associate with him on a personal basis (and generally therefor us) due to conflicts with chain of command... an officer just got busted for having a drink with some enlisted guys i mean come on just going out for a drink? we had to keep it hush hush when we went to help out an e4 with some problems at home because it wasn't our place... it's really rediculous and i have NEVER been in a less family friendly environment.

 

[carebee21]

Yes I'm a sahm so she can just stay with me but I really feel she needs socialization in a structured environment. I haven't found any moms groups not affiliated with churches this poses a problem because we don't attend church. If I did the military route it wouldn't be drop I. They don't take dropins you have to secure a time during the week and it must be the same every week.

Dd had close to 10000 in her college fund any amount which can be withdrawn at any time so long as its educational expenses

She just turned four and will be pre k 2011-2012 and kindergarten 2012-2013

We will be stationed here until January for certain then we will either get orders for 2 more years her or move overseas (England or germany).

Do you have a parks and rec center around you? My son did a part time pre-k program but then we found some wonderful programs at the park & recs center to keep him plenty busy. They had art classes, cooking classes, sports, dance, etc. They were typically 6-8 week classes, 1-2 days a week for 1-2 hours a class and were all under $50. It was a great way to socialize.

 

[prncess674]

I can find many reasons why you should not homeschool your child but I won't elaborate on them here. Of all the choices that you have listed, the one on base is probably the one best suited to your budget and your child's needs.

I agree. I can find MANY reasons in that post why the OP should not be homeschooling children.

As far as the Christian school, most have a few lessons about God, but it isn't "all God, all the time" in the classroom. They usually just teach lessons that are just good lessons in life: sharing, being kind to others, love one another but all with a bit of a religious spin. They will also likely say a very short grace before meals and will learn a few songs that probably mention Jesus or God.

 

[LoriABil]

I would at least check out the Baptist Day care before making a decision. Not all schools are "religion heavy.". DS goes to chapel at school daily, and this is when they talk about character building things, not necessarily religion. Things like helping people in need, being kind to each other.

Because pre-K is primarily for socialization, how many kids are at the Base's program? Are there enough kids that she would get a lot out of it?

I know when DS started pre-K, he was an only child, so the social part was important. But he also needed to get used to being in a structured setting, away from Mom and Dad to get used to kindergarten. That's why we went with a program instead of sports, classes and play groups. I think being with the same class and teacher-the structure was what he needed to prepare for Kindergarten.

Personally, I'd save my money for private school in Kindergarten and on. It sounds like there are options that will fit your needs without breaking the bank! Good luck!

 

[mjkacmom]

All of my kids attended preschool for 2 - 3 years, averaging around $5000 a year (3 hours a day). There is no public preschool here, but almost all of the kids attend private, so those who don't really stand out in kindergarten.

My kids could spell their name at 3, read by 4, and recognize number up to 100 in preschool. Most went to non-academic preschools, learn through play. I wasn't sending them for the academics - they could pretty much do everything they learned in kindergarten before they got there. However, they learned how to function in a classroom environment. Plus, they got the chance to make their own friends.

Yikes, did I really spend $50,000 on preschool? That sucks - lol.

 

[fakereadhed]

I agree. I can find MANY reasons in that post why the OP should not be homeschooling children.

As far as the Christian school, most have a few lessons about God, but it isn't "all God, all the time" in the classroom. They usually just teach lessons that are just good lessons in life: sharing, being kind to others, love one another but all with a bit of a religious spin. They will also likely say a very short grace before meals and will learn a few songs that probably mention Jesus or God.

That's like saying I know a secret but I can't tell you. Please elaborate on the many reasons OP shouldn't himeschool her 4yo for pre-k.

I disagree on the religious aspect. DS attends a Lutheran Montessori K which is exactly what you described above. We are Baptist and after 3wks he was definitely influenced religiously by the subtle ways our faiths differ. It doesn't bother us since we discuss them but it's amazing how fast they pick up on it. If OP's DH is atheist it could pose problems.

If you are military, there must be other families with young kids at home too. Start a playgroup! Post a flyer or hand out door to door. I joined one that way. We meet weekly at each other's houses or at a park or playground so it's less pressure if you don't want to have people over. Your week- you pick where it is. Now the kids are all in school but still get together as often as possible.

 

[descovy]

What about enrolling her in gymnastics, dance etc? Sounds like you are doing great as a SAHM, and maybe the only thing really missing is experience of being in a classroom environment ... You know, listening to the teacher, waiting your turn, being one of many instead of the center of attention. Anyway, a weekly dance class here runs about $50-60/ mo. Fun... And cheaper than your other alternatives.

Just another thought