I am at wits end with my current situation and have no clue what to think about it. My daughter is 3 and currently in a preschool program that she loves. It took a while for her to settle in and I did confront the teachers about the concerns I had at the beginning of the year. It kind of started off on the wrong note. But then our daughter started to really come to like it there and now after evaluating our debts and expenses we decided there is no money to pay for preschool. I was supposed to be making more but my jobs feel threw last minute. So now, she loves school,, has made some very close friends but there is no money and we are not elible for the IL action for Kids. We make too much. The problem is we always make too much, because no one cares that our recurring debts are more than our incomes together. What would you do and what do you think about the situation? PS - I am a SAHM who works mostly from home and I have 15 yrs preschool teaching behind me but it is the social aspect that I worry about since my daughter THRIVES in this classroom socially. And it is NOT an option to send her to another program.
Why not join a playgroup and that way you can do her schooling and she could still get the socialization she needs. I know meetup has great playgroups for her age.
Before you pull her out, talk to the preschool about scholarship or tuition assistance options. Is there any option for a tuition discount if you can work as an assistant or volunteer? Could she go a reduced number of days?
I agree. With your background you certainly know how to enrich her daily environment. For socialization, why not take her to library story time in your community? The programs are free and will expose her to being in a social setting with other children. You could also still have those preschool friends come over for play dates too.
Also, you could send her to sunday school which is also like a little classroom setting as well..
If you truly can't cut back on spending in other areas, then you will have to pull her out of preschool. If you can, try and put some money away for preschool next year as children really need at least one year before they start kindergarten. If you really like this school, just go in and honestly explain your situation and that you may be able to restart her next year. With the economy the way it is.. surely they will understand. Good luck!
I totally understand your money problems. Seems we are all in the same boat these days.
Since you were a preschool teacher, why not set up a schedule and do preschool with your child yourself? Make it fun for her and do lots of crafts, especially with the holidays coming. Also, get names and phone #'s for her preschool friends and set up play dates for socialization. You can even do crafts when her friends come over--the other parents will really appreciate this. Good luck with this and I hope things improve for you.
most libraries have a story time that is like a mini preschool and free. At Plainfield library it's a 30 minute session without parents where they sing songs, read stories and then do a craft. Granted the craft is not creative, but it is cute.
you can send her to the YMCA for classes to get socialization
you could send her to the park district preschool as it's usually half the cost of other ones
you could start a preschool yourself (or come work for me when mine gets started)
maybe you could work with the preschool and see if they need help with something that you could barter for school for your dd. I know one preschool advertised for a handyman where the pay would be in exchange of tuition. Maybe they could use some help with cleaning or paperwork or even teaching (in a seperate room then your dd is in).
Good luck!
N.
