Thank you all for your quick responses! Unfortunately, I was obviously not thinking clearly when I wrote the question, because what I meant to ask was:
I am desperately looking for affordable PRESCHOOL for my almost three year old. The cheapest I have found is $125 a month and I am hoping there is something better out there??? The $125 was for 2.5 hrs 2 days a week. Maybe this is the going rate and I need to suck it up, but I am a stay-at-home mom barely making it by on our current budget. I don't know how we can squeeze in another $125?
Okay, lets see how this one goes!
Any help?
I have never heard of $125/month until now! In Portland it runs $1,000/month! Personally, I would be afraid of what that low cost would get me.
I am unfamiliar with the going rate in your area, but I would eat beans and rice every day before I put my toddler in a place that only charged $125 a month. I would be VERY concerned about their ability to provide a safe, nurturing or clean enviroment for my child at that price. I was thrilled when my son became old enough for the price to LOWER to $600 a month because he was older and more independent. I understand being strapped and having a child to care for, I've done it with 3, but CHEAPEST isn't the way to approach someone taking care of your children.
If you have found a quality place, that provides a safe environment for your daughter, with good meals, and a trustworthy caretaker for $125 a month, you need to take it. No questions asked. $125 a month is cheaper than anything I've ever heard.
what hours are you looking for and how long?
That is really cheap. scary cheap.
remember, you get what you pay for.
Hi R.,
If your family is below a certain income level, you can qualify for a good amount of help from the government... check the department of child welfare for your county. The rate you quoted is way overpriced... you can hire a babysitter for $10.00 an hour or less. Good Luck!
I think that is a great price and remember, you get what you pay for!
$125/month is an awesome deal. That's whwat I pay per week. Are you looking for full-time care? Most of my friends who use daycare pay $35+ per day. I would take that deal if you trust the person who is offering it.
whew! I am glad you revised that. How about a co-op?
Are you sure you didn't mean $125/week? We pay $120/week for 3 days of care.
Please be careful about choosing someone who charges so little. I'd be very concerned about the quality of care my child was getting. Are they even feeding the kids?
I do home child care and even part time $125 a month is good. I charge $20 a day for preschool age (3-5 years old) for full days. $15 for part time (under 4 hours a day).
I'm in Oregon City.
Good luck!
With your revision, it makes a lot more sense...
Have you looked into your local community center? I know our neighborhood community center offers 2 and 3 day a week preschool; I am not sure of the cost, but I think there may be scholarships available. Another idea would be to find a cooperative preschool where you work for part of the tuition. If you have trouble finding one, you might want to try and start one on your own.
THat sounds REALLY GOOD to me! I haven't found anything better than about $350 a month for the same schedule. Kids don't HAVE to go to preschool though, so maybe wait one more year to save for it, and try then. I know what you are going through though, I am currently looking for my almost 3-year-old too, and don't know if we can squeeze it into our budget either, but I want him to have the social interaction...
