Choosing the right preschool program for your young loved one is a big step. Watching your youngster progress from crawling to talking to getting ready for their first day of school is monumental as a parent, so you naturally want to give your child the best chance to keep growing as they keep growing!
Preschools can take up a large chunk of your budget, and not only that, but places are often limited. It’s best to start thinking about preschool and what you want for your child before they reach preschool age.
This article will explore average costs for preschool to give you an idea of how much does preschool cost.
One of the biggest concerns many parents have is the cost of preschool programs. According to a report by Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), child care is one of the most significant expenses in the family budget.
Once your young one reaches around three years, they’re at the prime age to attend preschool.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that three to five years old is the ideal time for a young child to start preschool for the child’s development. However, it’s unwise to wait until your child is of preschool age before considering preschool programs for them.
How much does preschool cost?
The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) estimates the average cost of preschool as between $4,000 and $14,000 annually. This hefty price range is due to the following:
- Varying prices among preschools
- Types of preschool program chosen
- Private preschool or public preschool program
- Where you live in the U.S.
- Frequency of attendance
That NACCRRA annual estimates come to an average of $350 to $1100 per month. Prices vary not only on the type of program or location but on how often your little one attends.
For example, the cheaper end of the scale means that your child attends for two or three days of the week, while higher costs mean more attendance, perhaps five days a week for around 6 hours per day.
Why does location matter?
Location is a major determining factor regarding childcare and preschool costs. Some states and cities have preschool programs for around $5000 per year, while others reach as high as $20,000.
Massachusetts is the most expensive state for preschool tuition; some preschools charge up to $20,000.
Other expensive states for preschool are California, New York, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington. The most affordable preschool options are in Mississippi at around $5000 – $6000 per year, along with Kentucky, South Dakota, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Alabama.
What is preschool?
Traditional preschool is a play and education-based child care resource focusing on child development and general well-being. It offers a classroom environment supervised and facilitated by professionally trained preschool teachers and other qualified childcare staff.
Preschool is similar to daycare, whereby children attend for set hours five days or fewer per week. Unlike daycare, preschool is oriented more toward academic development.
Play is still integral to any good preschool program, but the focus is less on the spontaneous play. The emphasis of preschool lies more on children’s academic, social, and emotional skills and prepares children for the school years ahead.
There are several types of preschool programs in which parts can choose to enroll their children, from public to private preschools, advanced daycare centers, Montessori education programs, and parent co-ops.
Some accept younger children (around two years old), while others have more strict policies around the age of enrollment.
Note that preschools operate on a similar schedule to the academic year. That means they have shorter hours than most daycares and may be closed over holidays and the summer months.
This scheduling can make things difficult for full-time working parents who need high-quality child care at these times.
When considering preschool tuition fees, consider childcare costs when preschool is closed.
Is preschool worth it?
With costs potentially high and just for one child, you may wonder if preschool is worth the investment.
Can your child stay in daycare until they enter kindergarten? Or will they gain a social or academic advantage by entering preschool early?
Most child development and child education experts agree that preschool benefits children.
Research shows that children who attend high-quality preschool programs demonstrate higher levels of intelligence, exhibit more prosocial and obedient behavior in school, and generally exhibit higher physical and mental health than those who don’t attend.
That doesn’t mean your child will be anti-social or unhealthy if they don’t attend preschool. Many children who don’t attend may still manage very well in kindergartens and elementary schools.
Another significant benefit to preschool attendance that is hard to ignore is that early enrollment offers a greater chance to assess your child’s development and progress.
Professionally trained preschool teachers and childcare staff with a strong understanding of play-based development can screen students for signs of learning/developmental delays or challenges that may otherwise go unnoticed, allowing for early intervention and more effective management in the case of particular needs.
Finally, given that preschool is more oriented toward academic development than a traditional daycare center, preschool helps children prepare for kindergarten.
Enrollment in kindergarten means your little one should be able to recognize letters and numbers, shapes and colors, and show their fine motor skills, among other requirements, all of which are taught in preschool.
What if I can’t afford preschool?
Preschool costs can be frustratingly high and may cause special concern if your income is on the lower end; it may be disheartening not to be able to afford to send your child to preschool especially given the benefits of attending one for their education and development.
If you’re worried about preschool costs, you’re not alone. A 2016 poll conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that of the nationally representative survey participants, around 50 percent claimed that childcare costs were a ‘somewhat serious problem,’ and 1 in 5 expressed that costs were a ‘very serious problem.’
Here are some ways you can manage preschool costs:
1. Research fees
Preschool fees vary greatly. Not only depending on location but also within the local school district. As such, make sure you shop around for the most affordable option.
Research online, visit several preschools for a tour, join local parenting Facebook groups, and ask friends for recommendations. You may not see substantial price differences, but a couple of thousand dollars on either side will make a big difference to your family budget.
2. Look out for a sibling discount
Many schools and preschools (but not all) offer a sibling discount. That means that if you have more than one child attending the same preschool, you may be able to save on some of the costs.
Again, this is not a widely available option and comes down to the choice and discretion of a given preschool, but there’s no harm in asking.
3. Join a parent co-op
A parent co-op may be a more budget-friendly choice. Parent co-ops run like preschools in that several children attend classes.
Unlike traditional preschools, some staff are other parents and are not professionally trained. However, the parents tend to share similar ideals and teaching philosophies, so if you gel with the parents and share ideas, you may be happy to join the co-op.
In addition, the shared budget partially goes toward hiring professional teachers. This option requires more time, so they’re not always viable for parents who work full time.
4. Explore payment options
It may be the case that you can’t pay preschool tuition fees upfront but can afford to pay in installments. Payment options vary between preschools, so you’ll need to research and inquire at different schools.
5. Consider part-time attendance
Some preschools offer options for full-time or part-time attendance. Voting for part-time preschool tuition can trim costs significantly.
This is an excellent option for parents who can access other childcare resources, such as a family member or a sitter when they’re not at preschool.
6. Look for state-funded tuition instead of private preschool
Visit childcare.gov and click ‘See your state’s resources,’ then search for your state to assess your eligibility for state-funded preschool tuition or pre-kindergarten programs. These programs will be more cost effective then your child attending a private preschool.
7. Inquire about low-income support
States offer some financial support for low-income families around child care needs. The type and level of support vary between states, so research specific support available for your state.
The Child Care Aware website offers a list of resources by state to help you get informed about your options.
Conclusion
Preschool costs can soar, and while some states, such as Florida and Oklahoma, offer universal preschool for children, many states require parents to allocate a huge part of the family budget to preschool.
It’s possible to cut preschool costs by shopping around, seeking discounts, and opting for part-time rather than full-time participation.
Preschool itself is not mandatory but gives kids a significant boost in education, social skills, and other life skills moving forward.
Deciding to send your kid(s) to preschool is a choice that must be made by each parent based on what your family needs.