Why Paying For Preschool Is My Favorite
I went on a mini-vacation the other day. First, I read the Bible in peace and quiet. Then I did Pilates without anyone trying to jump on or crawl under me. Next I took a long, uninterrupted shower. Then I wrote a blog post about our new minivan. Finally, I read a little bit of a book. It was crazy.
This ideal morning cost me approximately $10 and it’s up there as the best $10 I’ve ever spent. Not only was my morning serene, my afternoon was also pleasant because my kid came back from preschool excited and happy.
I love paying for preschool! After volunteering as a preschool teacher last year and bringing my preschooler along with me, I appreciate sending her off alone SOOO much.
For both my kids I waited until the year before kindergarten to send them to preschool. This means about five long years at home full-time with these people before sending them off for a short, precious 7.5 hours a week. I love being able to stay home with my kids and count myself very blessed and privileged to do so. But it is not for the faint of heart.
While some states offer free public preschool, it’s only free here if your child qualifies for certain developmental delays or disabilities. One more reason I’m grateful to be paying for preschool. Thankfully, preschool is highly affordable in our area, around $100-125/month for three days a week at many schools.
I know some people are into “homeschool” preschool, which I think means you teach your kids numbers, letters, shapes, and colors, and get together with other preschool-aged kids. Which is pretty much life with a little person whether you have a special name for it or not. I get not wanting to pay someone to do things you can do yourself, but there’s a lot more to preschool than numbers, letters, or even socialization. For one, they learn how to be part of a classroom.
I know a deal when I see one, and preschool is a hot deal. You can’t get a babysitter for that price, let alone a babysitter who will teach your kid, owns tons of fun toys, stages a massive play date every day, tires them out, and gives them a snack.
I know the novelty will wear and we’ll have mornings she doesn’t want to get out of bed for school. And my luck with the baby napping at the same time will be hit or miss. We’ve already had days where she comes home complaining that the toy kitchen wasn’t “open” for play (the horror!) or they didn’t go outside to the playground.
And of course, I don’t just lounge around doing whatever I feel like every time she goes to preschool. But I’m also enjoying those moments of free time very much!
If you can afford it, I highly recommend sending your kid to preschool for at least one year. It’s amazing.
What do you think about paying for preschool?
We did the same thing when our daughter was young. It had three advantages, first, as you outline, it gave my wife a bit of her day back (a worthwhile investment). Second, it introduced the concept of school to our daughter. Third, it gave her a group of playmates to help with the socialization process. All in all, it was money very well spent.
We sent both of our kids to preschool and it was great. It gets them ready for schooling, gives them independence, and more comfortable with adults other than their parents teaching them things.
We used a co-op school, which saved us money, because you get lower tuition, but each parent must volunteer their time and be part of the preschool experience.
As the parent of only one child paying for preschool also gave me time to talk to other adults. A thing I much valued at that stage of life.
I very much wanted to stay home with my children, but I did not set myself up to be able to do so. (If I could do it all over again, that is the #1 thing I would change.) I’m happy for what your daughter is getting out of pre-school, and I’m glad it’s at such a reasonable price. But I’m even happier from what you are getting out of your daughter’s pre-school. And of course, the benefits for you flow out to every other member of your family. I’m hoping your baby keeps up the brilliant timing of her naps 🙂
Thanks, Ruth. It’s true that a little break goes a long way for everyone!