Preschool Costs

Gloria,

If you get any answers please share. I am in the same situation. I have 3 sons and right now I work only for benefits. I fwe do not find any assistance we would actually be better off if I quit and stayed home with the boys. I would rather keep them in there because they love it and for the social interaction. I feel those of us that are in the middle class really suffer in a lot of cases.

Good luck

My son (4) currently attends Pre-K at Maloney Magnet Interdistrict School in Waterbury. It is 8:30 - 2:00 mon-fri. He has an amazing teacher and learns so much. He loves it! He always has a good time. It gets him used to the schedule and being in a classroom setting which will help with Kindergarten but they do have plenty of unstructured play time so they are not overwhelmed with "school". Their academics are wonderful too. It goes through 5th grade.
I believe Naugatuck is considered part of the lottery. If you contact the school they will be able to tell you. What you would have to do is fill out the paperwork (I think rather soon) and submit it and then you will have to wait to see if your son's name is drawn for the September 08 Pre-K class. Once in the school he can continue through to 5th grade. It doesn't cost anything as it is a public school. It's just a better quality education because the funding comes from the districts that send their kids there (Wtby, Thomaston, Wolcott, Watertown, etc.) AGain, I would definitely call and see if Naugatuck is part of this and try it out.
p.s.-I'm a single mother who lives in waterbury so I know the stresses of finding quality education (this city's school system is very poor) with little to no income (but more than what qualifies me for help) This school was a blessing and I recommend it to anyone looking for inexpensive quality education.

Hi Gloria, did you check out the Catholic schools in your area?? I had a heck of a time finding a pre school for my son's until I realized that I can enroll them in a Catholic school-- The pay is much less then that you would pay to a stand alone facility... I know we are in different area's.. I'm in the Bridgeport Diocese but my boys go to St Anderew's school- I pay 250$ a month per child and my pre- schooler goes to school from 8:30am -2:30 pm? Hope this helps! : )

Did you try button's and Bowes?

Have you tried a church preschool organization or the YMCA or YWCA?

Many of the church based programs are very low cost. And, the Y, when my daughter was there full time as an infant (3 years ago) was only $700 a month.

You are giving your child a good experience by sending him to the amount of preschool you can afford. Healthy children thrive on love, attention, and reading. Certainly you and your husband can give your child gifts. Try to take your child to free or inexpensive experiences within the community such as programs a public libraries, museums, or parks. I work as a public school teacher and can tell with certainty that paents who love their children and give them stability and attention provide the best early start.

Hi Gloria, I know you say that you like the school your son is currently enrolled in - do they offer any scholarships? If not, you might want to pursue a school for your son which does offer scholarships. It makes it alot easier and I know becuase my son is 3 1/2 and he too is in school full time and we are on scholarship and it really helps. Good Luck!
J. B

Hi Gloria. If your son isn't going to kindergarten til the fall of 2009 (a year and a half) then why the need for fulltime preschool unless you need it for daycare? Are you looking for fulltime because kindergarten will be fulltime? He has a year and a half to mature and adjust to that full day school schedule. Most preschools that aren't daycare centers offer just half day programs, there's only so much learning that they need before kindy.
When my daughter was in preschool, I sent her only one year and although our school offered half, 3/4 and full day programs, I opted for 5 half days because that's what her kindergarten schedule will be. When my son went, he went for 2 years, our preschool only offered 2 mornings a week in the 3 year old program and 3 mornings a week in the 4 year old program - and their 3 hour day was longer than our kindergarten day was.
If it is socialization that you feel is important, see if any of the moms/dads of other half day students in your son's class would like to get together for some play dates. Also see what types of activities your local community center, Y, library offer for children your son's age.
Good luck!

I know exactly where you are coming from - we are in the same sort of situation. My only suggestion is to see if a local church offers a preschool program. My mom sent us to one when we were little...

D.

HI Gloria,
You may try Head Start. Most likely you are over income for that too but at this time of year they may have room in a class room and waiver your status. You could try. They have a free preschool program which is excellent. I am a nurse for the Head start program and am impressed with what they offer.
M.

Gloria,
My son only attends Pre-School 3x/week and he is 4 years old. He never went to pre-school last year because I couldn't afford it. I don't feel he is behind cognitively or socially for attending only 3x/week for 1/2 a day. I went to Nursery school part-time when I was 4 and eventually graduated with honors from high school. I figured that it wasn't the quantity but the quality of the education that really matters. It is also important to have carry-over of activities at home to further reinforce what is learned in class. I am pleased with the decision that I made, and feel that I am getting a quality education. Good Luck!

Sometimes the local YMCA has preschool programs. Do you attend a church perhaps you could look into that. Perhaps you could get hime to be part of a playgroup. Aside from taking out a loan being there myself at one time I dont see much other in the way of low cost options

Check out the public schools in your area, do they have a free or cheap pre-schoolprogram? I know ours does and I know our last school district did too, if so enroll your son there and some kindercares have a bus system, see if they can bus him from pre-k to kinder care...and as much as you like kindercare, shop around for an in home daycare and other schools...if you explain to kindercare that you are happy but need more than you are getting and you find a competitve offer, they may work out a deal with you...you could find that you're just as happy somewhere else too.

Look into private charity groups that offer assistance to family's in your exact situation-you make too much for assistance, but not enough to be able to pay for full time preschool. My husband is on the board of Project Acorn in NJ, they offer this type of assistance. Hope this helps!

My friend lives in Naugatuck, and her daughter goes to preschool at the Naugatuck YMCA. I'm not sure of the cost, but you may want to look into that.

The Universal Prekindergarten program is wonderful and most districts have it. It is not full day but it is 5 days for 1/2 day which might help and transportation is provided. It is paid for through those of us who pay their taxes so it would not cost you any additional money.

The only problem is that there is limited space. It was originally designed for people in situations like you describe - you want your son to go to preschool but the money is just not there!

When I was a teacher in the program, at its inception, families who were in need (need to supply your W2's) were given the slots first. Once all interested families were taken care of than the rest of the community (those who made more money)could register and if need be a lottery system would be held.

In my area everyone is put into the lottery system regardless of income. So if you are interested you need to call your school district and first find out if they have it and second find out when to register and be screened etc. You said your area doesn't have preschool, but I would call the school district just in case because this program is not widely publicized. Good luck.

A.

If he's doing good going part-time, why do you need to send him full-time? You can always teach him extra stuff on the side yourself. Sitting down with your child and teaching him will help with increasing his attention span.

Hi Gloria,

You can apply for a family scholarship if you have a local YMCA there and they offer reduced price for their facilities. I know they offer after school programs and there may be something available for your son. Especially if they only have 1/2 day kindergarten in September.

I must say that I have 3 children and was home with the older two and am working full time with the 3rd. I never really had to deal with daycare and preschool costs until now. Even though the preschool my son attends is highly recommended the preschools are not always what they appear to be. You would be surprised at how much a little one on one does as well as just having your son play with other children his age.

Good luck with your search I know the price is rediculous. I know that you may also find some state registered facilities that may be listed with the district your son goes to school in. If you make the call what is the worse that can happen they give you some additional sources to try.

Hello Gloria,
I'm assuming your talking about Naugatuck, CT. We just moved from Cheshire actually! (to NY) It has always been my understanding that preschool is never free for anyone regardless of income. I was also told to sign up my son for preschool when he was growing in my stomach b/c of wait lists! So I reseached a few and signed him up for Happy Times in Cheshire.
My advice is check with other parents, churches and websites for information. Also, the YMCA typically has programs and some give financial assistance. Any opportunities for your child to interact with his/her own peers is great regardless if it's only part-time. I hope this helps and good luck. Cheers!

E. B.