Is preschool worth the money?

Question

My daughter will be three in April and all she talks about is school. I researched the only two preschools we have around here. We have headstart and a preschool at the YMCA. We make too much for headstart so my only options are sending her to the Y or not sending her at all. The only thing is the cost. It will cost $125 a month for her to go. Classes are three days a week. I have no experience whatsoever with preschool so I was wondering if this sounded like too much money to pay. Also, is preschool good for kids to attend?

it's 2 1/2 hours a day. I think I'm just emotional about my baby going to school...lol

I've taught her a lot so it's not so much the learning aspect. She can count to twenty, knows her colors, ABC's, and things like that. She also has a younger sister who will be able to go to preschool next year. My oldest is really outgoing and I think the social interaction would be great for her.

Answer 1

Preschools can be great for kids with limited exposure to kids their own age- a chance to socialize with peers a little at a time before starting Kindergarten. They're also good for kids whose environments don't prepare them for school (low income families, migrant families, etc.).

If your daughter doesn't fall into those two categories, consider forming a playgroup- craigslist has categories suited for this and can be a good way to meet new moms and kids. Find out what your school district expects of incoming Kindergarteners, and come up with ways to encourage those skills on your own.

Preschool can be good, but it's not for everyone, and programs vary widely in their usefulness. Only you can know if your daughter is right for preschool and if preschool is right for your daughter.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

You could look for a preschool classroom that includes children with special needs. Many of these classrooms need 'peers' (so called typically developing children) in the classroom and give a much discounted rate. The advantage of this is that you get a teacher who has a masters degree and is earning a teachers salary which gives much more stability and consistency to a preschool classroom. The staff and the quality of the classroom will generally be better than most other preschools, and where I live, it costs 50 dollars a month for 2-3 days at 2h15m day. Also, these classrooms are just about everywhere as federal law says that children 3-5 with special needs must be served, so many communities have these classrooms run by the school district, the dept of human services, the county, or some other agency.

Answer 3

i am a home daycare provider and a preschool teacher who has worked with children for 15 years i have a degree in early childhood education and have worked and ran many different programs first a 125.00 for what ends up being around 12 days per month is a great price it worked out to around 10.42 per day which is great! now as for is it good for kids well that depends does she have children her own age to play with regularly? are you planning on working with her for kindergarten readiness? this can be hard if you have other children and not a lot of time. do children need preschool? yes and no some kids who will have a hard time adjusting to kindergarten might it will give them the chance to get used to the idea of being away form mom while still having a lot of time to ease in to it in my school district there are no room mom helpers in any school for the first 6 weeks of kindergarten and they don't let you stay on the first day they feel that for most kids the sink or swim philosophy works best some kids will do OK with this while never having set foot in a preschool and some wont they could have used a preschool experience to help with the transitions of leaving home with preschool they are allowed to cry and will get the comfort they need while at school they have any where from 20 to 40 kids and a scheduled to keep plus if it gets to bad they will call you in preschool where the school wont so only you know your daughter if you feel like she may need it to help then go for it even if you feel she does not but can see it might be a benefit to her and its not for a full day then it might be fun and you can help in class and go on Field trips and so on ! good luck!

Answer 4

I really think it'd be great for your family. While homeschooling is great, your daughter wouldn't be able to get that attention with the younger one around.

My cousin has been going to pre-school for two years now. He's not "ready" to start kindergarten. I think it's been a great release for him. He's made friends and really learned to deal with other kids. It's great socially and gives me a break at times! Either way it's up to you. Check out the preschools though. In my old town I ended up paying $200 a month for basic daycare. I swear, that boy didn't learn a thing! Look into the YMCA program just to make sure you're getting your monies worth! Best of Luck!

Answer 5

I work in a preschool. ( im just a custodain there) but i do hear the secretary telling people it is $125 per Quarter. There are four Qaurters a year and it runs from late augsut to early May. so ti sounds chepaer than yours? also, it runs four days a week, half days. Another thing, the I talk to the teachers a lot and a lot of them say it is worth ti casue the children learn the basic skills like the alphabet, colors, numbers, counting, singing songs, playing with play dough and etc... all supposedly to stimulate the minds. IF you cannot afford the preschool, it wouldnt hurt to start doing some of these early childhood development actiivties with your child. also all the teachers have this leap frog thing its a magnet for the firdge and u put the diffrent letters in it and it sings a song about that letter. They said it really helps the kids out so myabe u could get some toys like that for at home? also another thing it teachees them is how to play nicely with the other kids and etc... Good Luck!

Answer 6

Pre School is great and thats not a bad price either. The things she will learn at preschool she cant learn at home are all the things that have to do with socially getting along with other children. She will learn new games, new songs, new stories and make a lot of friends. I think pre school is always worth it.

Answer 7

I think that the only two things that are very important in preschools is the development of social schools and the chance of your daughter making friends. Besides that, I would say no, unless you have to work and cannot help teach her yourself.
I am not sure about price costs, but I would say that the most important thing would be who will be taking care your your daughter. Is it a good environment for her?

Answer 8

My daughter is 3 1/2 and goes to preschool. I think it's the best think that I could have done for her. She's inteacting with others-adults and children her own age- and it makes it easier for when she does start school. Also keeps them from being so attached. If I were you, I would send her. If she doesnt like it, dont worry about it. Just dont send her anymore. I'm pretty sure she'll love it, though.

Answer 9

It sounds like you have done a great job already, but you also have to look at it as is it good for her. Yes you will be upset.because your baby is growing up and starting school. But also preschool prepares her for kindergarten but also allows her to interact with other children her own age. For me preschool is great it gives me a couple of days a week that I can do mommy time and it allows for her to burn off energy and play with kids her age.

Answer 10

Preschool really isn't as much about the academic aspect as it is about the social aspect. I think it is your decision but Preschool is great for the children. My two oldest went and my three year old is going now and loves it. I really recommend it. =)