Sounds a little racial to me. Almost like the needy kids need advanced help in assimilation and learning than more affluent kids.

My granddaughter went to pre K in a Nondenominational Christian School and now is in the second grade their. Think it was $2200 for the Pre k school year. Best money I have ever spent. It's mo money now but well worth it. She's smart as a whip. If I can, and Parent lets me, gonna keep her their until she graduates. It is a 12 year school.

My daughter is in pre-K right now and she can read, write and do math. I agree that it's expensive but worth it.

Can she weld?

My oldest son had one year of a private pre-k. Found the best school we could find in McKinney. It was $1200 a month and he never really enjoyed it like I hoped he would. My twins went to our Chruch's pre school system. It was less money and MUCH better. My twins got 2 years before kindergarten compared to Tommy who only got 1. They went into kindergarten reading and writing as good as my 2nd grader.

I didn't even go to kindergarten. I can count to potato.

Dat's funny.

Our two go to a church preschool, about 500/each, been going since they were about 4 or 5 months old. I'm still young enough I can remember when I started kindergarten, and what I knew, or didn't.... And our three year old is leaps and bounds ahead of where I was, in every aspect of his life. I've got along just fine, but it makes me wonder where I'd be had I had that base going into school.

Also I forget the amounts, but there's deductions to be had for paying for childcare. If she ends up having to pay for it, might have her look into that.

300 a month on pre-k will be a blessing!! I pay 800 a month for childcare for one child (2 yoa) going 3 days a week, but extended stay as I work 12 hour shifts.

My boy is 2 and a half. We pay less than $400 a month for full day 6am to 5 pm "daycare" Technically it is a learning center. He will go there till kindergarten starts. The place/people are great they are legal and certified and they do a great job at working with the kiddos not just watching them and making sure they don't stick pennies and forks in the wall plugs.

Far too many people think just because you spend a lot on child care means your getting something good.

I get a kick out of people talking about "quality education" in pre-K/kindergarten. Guys get realistic here. Pre-K is more about socialization and babysitting than it is about education. Sure they will also learn their letters and numbers, but who really cares? By the time they get done with kindergarten, and especially by the 2nd or 3rd grade, you cannot tell any difference in a child that had a great pre-K and a child that didn't.

We are not talking about a college prep school where the education quality can prompt future success in an Ivy League school. We are talking about the kid that can learn lefty and righty a few months earlier than their friends.

And remember this... whether you are paying $2000 a month or getting it free from the state, your pre-K kid is spending more time playing paddy-cake and eating goldfish than he is learning his addition tables.

I have a friend who was a life long kindergarten teacher. In the beginning of the year, a successful day was getting the kids home wearing the same clothes they came in, and at least one of their own shoes.

As to the original poster, a church pre-K is going to be your best bet. They may have scholarships available to help with the cost.

COFF and swalker9513 are spot on to me.