Does anyone know if there is financial aid available for preschool?

I'm planning for my daughter to start preschool this fall, but unfortunately there are no quality public schools in the Los Angeles area. My only choice, if I want her to actually learn something, is to send her to a private school, but I can't afford one. Does anyone know if there are any programs in the State of California, or even any Federal programs, that provide financial assistance for private schools at the preschool level?

Public Comments

1. I don't know of anything other than government welfare programs...but I'm sure they wouldn't assist in a private school


2. Yes, and I have a beach house in Arizona I would like to sell you.


3. call the board of education they will be able to tell you what you want to know


4. Try calling 311. She isn't from Cali but a friend of mine got help putting her daughter in school that way. I believe she was preschool age at the time. They directed her in all the directions she needed to go to get her daughter in school. Its worth a try. Good luck.


5. Have you looked into part-time preschool programs that are not that expensive? There are also Co-op preschools where the parents work as part of the tuition/fee agreement. Also, community centers and YMCA may have subsidized preschools programs.

   Have you looked at LA Universal Preschools? http://www.laup.net/provider_search_results.php

   There may be Head Start programs for underprivileged or at risk children, and if you have a child that is in Early Intervention (for at risk / disabled children) receiving services they may qualify for preschool payments, although not all the time, the money just isn't there.

   I wouldn't worry about your daughter not learning enough in preschool. All they need to learn is how to wait in line, take turns, listen and follow directions, and play. At my son's PreK class (4 yr old), they were taught one letter and one number a week, the rest was play, and it's a feeder school for top private schools.

   There are good public schools in LA. In big part, at any school, including the top private schools, it's up to the parents and their kids to make it work. Kids from public schools, even in the worst areas, go on to top colleges. Good elementary schools are easier to find then good middle and high schools, but there are good middle and high schools too.

   Here you can check out public schools:

   http://www.schooldigger.com

   http://www.greatschools.net/

   Good luck!



6. You can also apply for programs like Crystal Stairs or Connections for Children. They will help you with the cost and it can be anywhere from free to $150 or more depending on your income. It's really for childcare but there are also private pre-schools that accept it too. You'll just have to find a school that accepts the programs. And that is not to difficult because they have referral lists. Also you can look into charter schools. Viewpark I've heard is an excellent elementary school. And also consider magnet programs for the future.

   A site I've used...

   http://www.BestFinancialAid.info/

   Hope that helps.