Friday, September 08, 2006

Preschool

When it comes to preschool, I SO do not want to send my kids! Around here for one year, it's close to $700! I dont know if that's high or low compared to other places in the country, but it sure is HIGH for me!! I could not imagine spending that kind of money!

I know that Preschool is important. I know this. But I really think it's something that should be decided upon on a kid-by-kid basis. For instance, Punk. Punk does not need preschool. He is already ahead of the game on things that he'd learn there. He knows all of his letters. All of his numbers, 1-10. He can count(most of the time!). And he's learning the ABC song. He can sing his own version of Twinkle, Twinkle and Row, Row, Row Your Boat. He's also very social with other kids. I'm going to enroll him in the ABC Swim Gym program at the YMCA just for fun. But I'm not going to pay $700/yr. for preschool.

Now, Twinkletoes? Twinkletoes is just one, but she may end up needing preschool. She's not as advanced as Punk always was. But I'll make that decision when she's older!

I know that Valerie just enrolled her little one in preschool. And my next door neighbor's son had his first day of preschool yesterday. She, like me, did not want to send him. He's very smart like Punk, and is definitely NOT lacking in social skills. But, her husband insisted that she enroll him. Well....she waited until the very beginning of summer to call. Right at the time when they are booked and you get put on a waiting list.

I remember about a month ago her laughing and me about it because it kept her husband off her back, but she would not have to send her little one or pay the money. I guess the joke was on her....last Monday they called and said he could start right away! Oh was she sad. But, yesterday when I talked to her, she was delighted! She had had THREE WHOLE HOURS to herself!! I was jealous!! And it worked out perfectly for her.

I'm still not going to enroll Punk, but I am jealous of those of you who get a few hours to yourself. I guess I have to wait for Kindergarten. But that's okay...at least it wont put me in debt...right!?

Punk's Version Of:

Twinkle, Twinkle

Twinkle, up side diamonds.
In the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle...
Where you ARRRREEE!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row, row yur boat.
Row down stream
merrilymerrilymerrily (insert a bunch of head shaking back and forth)
Where you ARRREEE!

Yeah, I know they both end in "Where you ARRREEE!" But, it's so darn cute, I dont want to correct him!!

6 comments:

erin said...

I just sent my daughter to mothers day out for the first time last week. I was so nervous and almost chickened out right before and didn't take her. I cried for a minute but she LOVED it. She really enjoyed playing with all the other kids and checking out the different toys and playground. It is one day a week and we pay about $1200 a year here. It is such a persomal decision and you know your kid best. We are doing it more for the interaction than for the learning aspect.

Laura said...

We spend $10,000/year to send our daughter to preschool in Los Angeles. It's over $1,000/month.

Laura said...

We spend $10,000/year to send our daughter to preschool in Los Angeles. It's over $1,000/month. You are soooo lucky.

Valerie said...

woohoo I mad it to a link in a post. I am excited to send T but I am scared to death too.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, it is expensive. Last year for 2/days a week for the 3 year old class we paid $85/month (about $935 year). This year it's $95 a month. It is kinda crazy...but..the 2.5 hours I get 3 times a week this year are kinda nice. Although it's a pain on the days you dont' want to leave :-D There are a lot of cheaper alternatives.....pricey is NOT always best. But it's amazing to see how much your kids blossom! Kenzie could write all 26 letters of the ABC's by memory before the end of last year. Mikey went for two years too. It is a family choice, but for me...well worth it to see how excited they are when you pick them up and they have the crafts and the new things they've learned. BTW..most YMCA's have a preschool and they fee can be reduced based on what you feel you can pay and what your household income is. Mikey went there for two years and I wish we had one closer now for kenzie..they were great.

Anonymous said...

OMGOSH $700 for a YEAR? Our friends pay $1400 per MONTH for their 2 little girls.