Pre-school charges (Atlanta, Alpharetta, Forsyth: environment, work, price)

[mhiremath]

Hello

What would be the average charges per month for pre-school going child (age between 3-6 in the Alpharetta area)?

Cheers

[Philagirl]

I've looked at several preschools in the Alpharetta-Johns Creek area. The prices range from $160 per month (for 2 mornings per week) to $600 per month for a Montessori school that is 5 mornings per month.

The cheaper programs tend to be those run out of churches.

Also, the preschool programs I'm referring to are part-time programs (usually 3-3.5 hours per day).

[AKelley728]

Isn't there public pre-k also? It's funded by the lottery and to get in there is another lottery held for the open spots. Any info on this would be appreciated. We're is moving to Forsyth county and have a 2 year old who will be in pre-k in a couple of years.

[jxu66]

But I heard that public pre-K is very competitive. There is long line already. Also, a lot of good pre-K places don't accept public funding at all (and don't want to subject to government regulation). Since there are so many parents with kids in north Fulton/Gwinnett/Forsyth, those pre-K places don't worry about filling spaces.

From conversation from my coworkers, pre-K started from 1000 to 2000 fulltime a month.

[Philagirl]

I meant 5 mornings per WEEK in my reply, not MONTH.

Again, these are part-time programs. Full time programs are far more expensive.

[merry7]

Check out Discovery Point. They are a chain but offer a great pre-k program. Our child started out in the Private pre-k program ($150/wk full time) and was automatically placed in the GA pre-k program as soon as a spot became available (within 2 months). The GA pre-k is funded by the lottery. Our rate dropped to $85/wk now that he's in GA pre-k.

[martyogelvie]

My son attended public pre-k funded by the lottery. I was not aware that there was a waiting list or a lottery to get in. We simply signed up and they told us where to attend. Very easy and cheap.

[cdeek]

I have not been impressed with the Ga Pre-K at all. Their main focus on teaching is socialization and many of the parents are just looking for free child care. This is fine if your child has never been in preschool, but if your looking for something of more quality and structure I have had a great experience with the Goddard School off of Old Atlanta Rd.

[apa1128]

I've always found that church preschools are the best value, and provide the most loving and nurturing experience. My daughter has really excelled in that environment without breaking the bank.

[mamamarie]

I live in South Metro Atlanta but we are paying for our 3 year old to go to PreK3 this year (out of the daycare that we send both our children to). It is 135/wk for full time. It is out of a church. They have a PreK4 too and it is the same. It is not state funded.