When my sister was looking at preschools for her daughter a couple of years ago, she called me in a mild panic. The private Montessori she liked was running $18,000 a year. The local public preschool had a long waitlist. She wanted to know if the private option was worth it financially — and what to actually look for.
I’d done some research on this topic for unrelated reasons (long story involving a financial planning client), so I walked her through it. Here’s what I shared, fleshed out a bit more.
Curriculum and Learning Approaches
The single biggest difference between private preschools and their public counterparts is curricular flexibility. Private schools can build their programs around specific educational philosophies — Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, play-based, academic-focused — without the constraints that come with public funding and state mandates.
This matters because kids genuinely learn differently. A child who thrives with self-directed exploration in a Montessori environment might struggle in a highly structured academic preschool, and vice versa. The question worth asking when touring schools isn’t “is this approach good?” but rather “is this approach right for my kid?”
Teacher Qualifications
Private preschool teachers often hold specialized degrees in early childhood education, and many programs require ongoing professional development. Smaller class sizes — which are common in private settings — allow teachers to observe each child more closely and adjust their approach accordingly.
That said, credentials vary widely. Don’t assume a private school has better-trained teachers than a public one. Ask specifically about the lead teacher’s background, how long staff have been there (high turnover is a red flag at any preschool), and what the school’s professional development expectations look like.
Class Size and Student-Teacher Ratios
Private preschools often maintain lower student-to-teacher ratios than public programs. This is probably the most concrete, measurable quality indicator you have when comparing schools. A ratio of 6:1 or 8:1 is very different from 15:1 in terms of how much individualized attention your child actually receives.
Ask for the actual ratios, not just the stated maximum. Also ask what happens when a teacher is absent — is there a consistent substitute, or does the ratio spike unpredictably?
Focus on Whole Child Development
The best private preschools think beyond academic readiness. Social-emotional skills — how a child handles frustration, collaborates with peers, manages transitions — are at least as important as letter recognition at age 4. Programs that integrate music, movement, art, and outdoor play aren’t fluff; there’s solid developmental research behind that approach.
I’d be a bit cautious about programs that market heavily on “kindergarten readiness” metrics like reading and math. Academic acceleration at preschool age often doesn’t produce lasting advantages, and it can come at the expense of play-based learning that builds executive function and emotional regulation.
Extracurricular Activities
Many private preschools offer language immersion, music lessons, sports, and arts programming as part of their schedule. For some families this is a major draw — having structured enrichment built into the school day rather than running kids to separate activities in the evening. For others it’s not particularly relevant.
Worth noting: these programs add cost, whether through higher tuition or add-on fees. Ask what’s included and what’s extra before you fall in love with a school’s activity offerings.
Parental Involvement
Private preschools tend to expect significant parental engagement — volunteering, attending events, participating in classroom activities. For some families this is wonderful. For dual-income households with limited flexibility, it can feel like an additional burden.
Ask directly: what does the school expect from parents on a weekly or monthly basis? Some schools have open-door policies that are genuinely flexible, while others have required volunteer hours that aren’t optional.
Cost and Financial Considerations
Private preschool tuition ranges wildly — from roughly $5,000 to $30,000+ annually depending on location and program type. That’s a significant chunk of after-tax income for most families, and unlike K-12 private school tuition, there’s no federal tax deduction for it.
A few things worth knowing: some states offer pre-K tax credits or subsidies that can offset costs for qualifying families. Many private preschools have scholarship or sliding-scale tuition programs that aren’t always advertised prominently — it’s worth asking directly. And if your employer offers a Dependent Care FSA, you can use those pre-tax dollars toward preschool tuition (up to the FSA contribution limit).
My honest take: private preschool can be worth the cost, but the decision should be driven by fit for your child’s learning style and your family’s values — not by tuition as a proxy for quality. I’ve seen outstanding public preschool programs and mediocre expensive private ones. Tour the school, watch the teachers interact with kids, and trust what you observe over what the brochure says.
Choosing the Right Private Preschool
- Visit in person during a regular school day (not just during an admissions tour).
- Ask about teacher tenure and turnover — consistency matters enormously for young children.
- Understand the daily schedule and how much time is structured vs. child-directed.
- Ask about the school’s approach to challenging behaviors and emotional support.
- Consider commute time — a 45-minute drive twice a day adds up fast for a 3-year-old.
- Ask about financial aid and any available subsidies before ruling a school out on cost alone.
The right preschool is the one where your child is happy, curious, and well-cared-for — regardless of what the tuition says about it.
