5 Ways To Save On Preschool Costs
Posted on: 9 September 2015
Preschool offers many benefits for children. It can help with socialization, prepare them for kindergarten and give them a chance to mature away from their families. However, the cost of preschool keeps increasing each year, and it may be cost prohibitive if you want to send your child to a preschool but feel that you cannot afford it. Here are some options that can help you save on preschool costs.
Look for Preschool Scholarship Programs
Many churches that offer a preschool will also offer scholarships for families that need financial help paying for preschool. Often you do not need to be a member of the congregation in order to apply. You can call your local area preschools to see if they offer any type of scholarships. They may also offer discounts if you have more than one child at the preschool.
Consider Signing Up for Pre-K Programs Through Your School District
The Head Start program offers preschool opportunities to low-income families throughout the country. Head Start states that you need to apply for help through your local school districts in order to qualify. They will look at school readiness as well as your income to see if you qualify for the program. The programs vary slightly based on your state and local school districts and you may have a full-day option with this program.
Split a Spot With Another Child
Another option is to split a full-time spot with another child if the school allows it. For example, if the preschool offered school for five days a week, your child could attend two days and another child could attend three days. You can split the cost of tuition since you are only using one spot.
Work in Exchange for the Tuition
You may be able to work at the preschool in order to reduce the cost of your tuition. You can offer to help in a different classroom, or to work in the office or to clean up after school. Many preschools, especially at churches, may be willing to work with you on this. It never hurts to ask if you can do something like this to reduce the cost of tuition for you.
Claim the Costs of Preschool on Your Taxes
If you work during the time that your child is in preschool, you can claim the cost of it on your taxes, under the Child and Dependent Care Credit. However, if you are not working during that time, you do not qualify to claim that credit on your taxes. According to the IRS, you can claim up to $3,000 on this for one child. It does max out at $6,000 for two or more children. You will need to get a statement from your preschool if you want to claim this expense on your taxes.
For more information about the costs of preschool, contact a school like Sammamish Montessori School.
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