Private Kindergarten: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

[dkitten13]

I am thinking of looking into private kindergarten for my son next year. Our town has half days, and they have to take the bus. I've already heard of two unfortunate bus problems where the driver didn't pay attention and a little one roamed alone in the wrong neighborhood!

Can anyone provide advise on if they think it is good or bad? If he goes to public I will have to pay for before/after care anyone so I'm wondering if it might not be worth it to have him go full time. I guess I should clarify private by meeting in a daycare center that has full time hours.

Thanks for any input/advice!

 

[babywings76]

The situation you heard about, was that a local incident? I would ask other parents that are in your school district or school for their thoughts. Speak w/ the principal about your concerns. I remember when our oldest was approaching Kindergarten, I was so worried. You hear all these horror stories about the bus and what could happen. But I heard nothing but wonderful comments from other parents and school officials about everything, so I decided to go ahead and have my DD attend public school. In our area, the bus driver keeps the youngest kids towards the front of the bus. When they stopped, the bus driver would take out their list and check and be sure the right kids were getting off at the right stop. I would meet my daughter as she got off the bus. If there were days that I couldn't, my mom or a friend would be there.You might also want to ask your school about any after school programs that they might be coordinated with. Our old town we lived in had a special contract with a local church/daycare center. Certain children would be bused after school to that place until their parents were done w/ work. I'm not sure what our new town does, because now my kids are in school full-time and I'm not around parents who have that concern at this time.

 

[dkitten13]

Yes, I found a nice place that does the after school in coordination with the school so that is my original choice. But they also do kindergarten so that had me wondering...