LOOK into your State programs.... in my State, there is a Preschool program that helps to subsidize preschool tuition costs for families that qualify. That is how, my daughter went to Preschool. It helps a lot. I learned about it because I researched heavily... per our State's programs.
Then, you also have to shop around, to various Preschool programs. They don't cost all the same. My son for example, I found a GREAT Preschool in our area, that was not expensive, they also accepted diapers and toilet trained, and they are VERY nurturing. My son loved it there. As did I.
My kids are 4 years apart. I am a SAHM. Since my 1st child was born. We are not rich. But we have made it thus far.
The thing is, you need to research Preschools and their various costs. It is not all the same.
And, you do not have to have your child in a pricey daycare that has no part-time options. It is up to you... to find a venue that works for YOU.
There are... MANY Preschools that are part-time and there are varying rates.
When my son was born, that is when my daughter started Preschool. She LOVED it. She went part-time half days. And again, we had the preschool subsidy for her tuition. BUT she started Preschool at that time... because that is when my son was born. We planned ahead, and I got her enrolled, for that time.
ALSO, BEFORE my son was even born... I SPENT my pregnancy, on prepping my daughter about it and about her sibling. So that helped a ton. When I was pregnant, she fully understood that I can't be carrying her around or running all around... I explained to her the Doctor said I also have to rest etc. And she was a REAL trooper about it all. She would even nap... when I needed to. We were a "Team" about it.
Sure she was active... but because I talked WITH her... she understood and was not all DEMANDING of me, while being pregnant.
It is all about how your prep your eldest child... about it all.
Oh and also, even when I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I was ALSO doing child care in my home! My eldest child was still home with me, too.
I managed.
Then when I was about 8 months pregnant, I stopped doing child care. By then I was just too big in belly size and it was so hard for me to move around.
No matter what, having more than 1 child, will be busier. Regardless of the age difference. BUT it is important to also prep the eldest child... about it all. When I was pregnant with my 2nd, I made "my" pregnancy about prepping my eldest child. She talked to my belly/her brother, she sang to it, we took tons of photos of her hugging my belly each month, I spent a lot of time bonding with her and talking with her about her "sibling," etc. So that, once her baby brother was born... she was already... adjusted. And had no adjustment problems. And she was a happy sibling.
Most everyone has a limited budget. Nowadays.
Who knows how we do it... but we do.
But now that my kids are both in elementary school, I have a part time job. AT my kids' school. And I am still able to drop them off to school and pick them up after school and be home with them, after. Lots of Moms... do that. Getting a job at their kids' school. For that reason.