I went to look at a preschool for my son the other day. When I asked the prices, the woman told me. Then she asked me if that amount was ok. I found this kinda strange. Are the prices negotiable? Have any of you talked the prices down before? If so, please share.
I see how you could have interpreted this. She probably honestly wanted to know if you could afford it or not.
Just ask her, what she meant and if it is negotiable?
Or maybe she was just trying to see what your budget was... since many people are on a budget.
And no, I have never tried to talk the prices down. Otherwise, they'd have to do that for EVERYONE. And a school has to survive, too.
I kinda got that response too after they told me the price. I took it as more, "Can you afford this? Because if not, there is no reason to go any further."
I paid the tuition they told me to. I've never heard of negotiable tuition prices.
Is it a preschool that is subsidized in some way? If so, they might have a sliding scale based on household income.
I think it was her polite way of saying "can you afford this?". I can't imagine they are negotiable, wouldn't be fair to the other families and how would a school survive with discounting their tuition?
sometimes schools will offer assistance if you cannot afford the total bill. Sometimes they also have flexible payment options. I wouldn't feel upset or insulted by the question...I think it's commonplace these days to ask. Many of us are struggling and especially if you have more than one child, schools sometimes offer discounted rates.
Hope this info helps.
Yes, you can definitely negotiate. Some schools are more open to that or not, but I know Goddard negotiates. I have two girlfriends with kids in Goddard and both negotiated, and both are paying different prices for the same exact daycare services.
Hmmm. I've never heard of this. I have heard of schools that will give a 5% or 10% discount if you pay the year's tuition all at once.
they may have a sliding scale or it may be based on the amount of hours of care. some have different prices for part time / full time / 2 days a week 3 days a week etc. also some take public aid payments etc.
She was probably meaning if you couldn't afford the entire amount then you could apply for aid. Many schools have a financial aid/ scholarship fund set up to help those who can't pay the full amount. Doing this brings some diversity in the school.
Preschools are businesses, so yes, prices are negotiable.
I agree with what someone else has, maybe they have a sliding scale? Or our preschool offers scholarships/financial aid, so that could be it too. Or like someone else mentioned too, there is no point in doing a full tour and meet and greet if it costs too much for your budget.
Prices are not typically negotiable but there may be some sort of tuition reduction, sliding scale fee or scholarships if you are low income. Of course, if it's more of a daycare type "school" run out of someone's home, then they may offer some room for negotiation.
