Preschool: How much does it cost?
But in expensive urban areas such as Boston, New York City, and San Francisco, the cost for five-day-a-week preschool can soar far higher than those averages, depending on which school you choose.
Some preschools operate on an installment plan, and the more quickly you pay the tuition in full — say in two installments rather than monthly — the cheaper it will be for you. In an effort to save on paperwork, many schools will charge interest if the tuition payments are spread out over a period of months.
Parent-run cooperative preschools generally cost less, but require more of your time and may not be feasible if you work full-time. Fran Brook, a mom of three, chose that route when she sent her third child to a co-op. "I spent one day there every other week leading the kids in activities the director had planned," she says. "We also had one evening meeting a month and one or two work Saturdays a year." She still had to pay tuition, but estimates it at half what a regular preschool would cost.
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