Preschool - What You Get For The Money
by Amy Dubois

Am I prepared for the financial burden? Will my child be accepted into the program? I just hope I have the registration packet in on time. Even if I did register correctly, if I don’t win the lottery, then my child won’t have a chance of going. Yes, I’m worried about college…but right now, I’m freaking out about preschool.

It’s that time of year again, preschool registration. For those of you whose child is going to preschool in the fall, the time to register is now. So, how do you choose the best preschool?

I love watching “What you get for the Money” on the Fine Living channel. It’s a show that gives one price line, say $450,000, and shows what kind of home you could have in different parts of the country. Some homes have ample space and beautiful views. Other homes may be a one bedroom loft in the heart of a major city. If I could only find, “What you get for the Money: Preschool edition.”

So what do you get for the money? The answer: Socialization, Exploration, and Preparation.

Socialization
For 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s socialization is a huge part of preschool. Now before you roll eyes and say, “For the amount of money I’m paying for school, my child had better come home with more than knowing how to sit criss-cross-applesauce on a carpet square!” But you see the child going into a kindergarten setting already knowing basic group social rules is at an advantage. Children in preschool learn how to interact with teacher and peers by practicing the following skills:

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