So, as a first time parent who AGONIZED over picking a daycare that my husband and I both felt good about AND afford (just a few years back, CO ranked as the 3rd highest for daycare rates in the country for 4-year-olds and 8th in the nation for infants), this preschool picking is brutal! My daughter turned 4 in December and now the hunt is on. What is funny is the conversations that my husband and I now have: “Well, this one is only $250 a month, but I can’t tell if she goes 5 days a week and it’s like a regular school year.” or “Who in the hell sets up these hours?? What working parent goes to work at 9am or can take a lunch at 11am???” My friends and I have had similar conversations.
The cost differences are amazing, too! They make me wonder how big a difference there really is on some of these. Does paying the equivalent of a year’s college tuition REALLY make a difference at this age?
For the record, I went to both private school and public school in my elementary years and enjoyed both. I loved my kindergarten teacher from Pauline Memorial, Mrs. Kelly, that I kept in touch until she passed away a few years back. I am a firm believer that 9 out of 10 times, kids get out of school, what parents help put in and no matter where you go, there are issues to deal with.
All I know is that there should be a class for helping new parents figure this part out!! Talk about feeling like a tool!!