# Why are faith-based preschools less expensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 12, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717 "2012-05-12T19:31:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/1 "2012-05-12T19:31:59Z")
I’m preparing a document on the subject of raising an atheist preschooler. One issue that I’ve determined that atheist parents are confronted with is the fact that faith-based preschool instruction is less expensive than other comparable private preschool services. Some middle-income atheist parents are torn between not sending their children to preschool and sending them to a faith-based school because that is all they can afford. (Low income parents have the option of Head Start, which solves the problem.) Why are the faith-based schools less expensive? ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/2 "2012-05-12T19:41:55Z")
because they spend 99% of their time teaching your kid to not be an atheist. at least that is the experience of pretty much everyone I know. they want future church goers not smarter kids. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/3 "2012-05-12T19:44:10Z")
Speaking from the experience of my aunt, who taught at one for 34 years until they unceremoniously laid her off a couple of weeks ago, they can charge less because they pay their teachers shit. (BTW Jewish preschool, not Christian, and not a heck of a lot of religious instruction. My aunt has a degree in early childhood ed; she is no theologian.) ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/4 "2012-05-12T19:47:59Z")
Because they’re shitty preschools? All the church preschools around here seem to be, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Crab\_Rangoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/5 "2012-05-12T19:49:46Z")
Around here they (whatever church) also offer FREE summer camp! Send your kid to FREE (religion of choice) summer camp and your kids gets to hear the “good news” all day all week. What a deal! No. Thank. You. Also - a cousin of mine had to send her first child to a religious daycare (was on a waiting list for the regular place) for 6 months or so. They had her daughter sitting on a potty until she went poop in order to try and potty train her. Set her back at least a year. How very christian of them - potty train by force. How does anyone think that’s the way to treat a kid? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/6 "2012-05-12T19:50:17Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > because they spend 99% of their time teaching your kid to not be an atheist. at least that is the experience of pretty much everyone I know. they want future church goers not smarter kids. This being GQ, I’d like a cite for the claim that 99% of instruction time is devoted to religious indoctrination, and a cite that the purpose of those preschools is recruitment rather than education. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/7 "2012-05-12T19:51:56Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > because they spend 99% of their time teaching your kid to not be an atheist. at least that is the experience of pretty much everyone I know. they want future church goers not smarter kids. OK, that makes sense. To be more specific, it’s partially because they can get by with hiring people who have only minimal qualifications? Head Start, for example, requires that at least one-fourth of its teachers possess a bachelor’s degree, and that all teachers possess at least a two-year degree. The same _would not_ be true of a faith-based school, then? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/8 "2012-05-12T20:01:29Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > because they spend 99% of their time teaching your kid to not be an atheist. at least that is the experience of pretty much everyone I know. they want future church goers not smarter kids. [Moderator Note] **Critical1** , religious jabs are not permitted in GQ. This does not contribute to the discussion. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/9 "2012-05-12T20:04:46Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Because they’re shitty preschools? All the church preschools around here seem to be, anyway. > [@Crab\_Rangoon](#): > > Around here they (whatever church) also offer FREE summer camp! Send your kid to FREE (religion of choice) summer camp and your kids gets to hear the “good news” all day all week. What a deal! > > No. Thank. You. > > Also - a cousin of mine had to send her first child to a religious daycare (was on a waiting list for the regular place) for 6 months or so. They had her daughter sitting on a potty until she went poop in order to try and potty train her. Set her back at least a year. How very christian of them - potty train by force. How does anyone think that’s the way to treat a kid? [Moderator Note] This being GQ, let’s stick to factual information rather than your personal anecdotes or speculation. Actual information about curricula, standards for teachers, or pay scales would be appropriate for this thread. Simply bashing church schools is not. Colibri General Questions Moderator. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/10 "2012-05-12T20:45:22Z")
Another possibility is that faith-based preschools are generally run by a non-profit organization (either a church or a non-profit religious school) while secular preschools (at least in my area) are often a part of a profit-making day-care center. ---
**Author:** ![Crab\_Rangoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/11 "2012-05-12T21:07:10Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Moderator Note] > > This being GQ, let’s stick to factual information rather than your personal anecdotes or speculation. > > Actual information about curricula, standards for teachers, or pay scales would be appropriate for this thread. Simply bashing church schools is not. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator. Sorry - forgot where I was - everyone please feel free to ignore my completely opinionated response. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/12 "2012-05-12T21:42:05Z")
In Chicago, a lot of the Catholic Schools are subsidized by the Parish (and I believe receive some sort of state funding). Many of them are quite good. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/13 "2012-05-12T21:42:08Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Moderator Note] > > **Critical1** , religious jabs are not permitted in GQ. This does not contribute to the discussion. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator apologies, I wasn’t thinking GQ, I was just thinking about the horror stories I hear from friends who sent their secular kids to Church run preschools and daycare. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/14 "2012-05-12T22:05:09Z")
> [@Crab\_Rangoon](#): > > Sorry - forgot where I was - everyone please feel free to ignore my completely opinionated response. Actually, I’m incorporating what you said about free summer camps into what I’m preparing, so as far as I’m concerned it’s salient information. ---
**Author:** ![Dufus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Dufus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dufus)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/15 "2012-05-12T22:11:55Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Actually, I’m incorporating what you said about free summer camps into what I’m preparing, so as far as I’m concerned it’s salient information. Surprise, surprise! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/16 "2012-05-12T22:31:23Z")
They are often run in a church building, so they have no rent. Their insurance is also covered under an existing policy for the church. It goes on like this. The church is already covering many of the costs for janitorial services, utilities, etc. They may also have lot’s of volunteer or low cost help, and the church may cover other costs through fund-raising instead of collecting it in payments from the parents. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/17 "2012-05-12T22:57:23Z")
Sometimes they provide the service to benefit folks who can’t afford it otherwise. Some faith based organisations are big on charity. ---
**Author:** ![Crab\_Rangoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/18 "2012-05-12T23:58:31Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Actually, I’m incorporating what you said about free summer camps into what I’m preparing, so as far as I’m concerned it’s salient information. Good, I’m glad you could use something out of that post.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/19 "2012-05-13T01:27:42Z")
I’ve had a peek at the books of my church’s pre-school program (which, incidentally hasn’t raised its rates in 2 years, and projects it won’t raise them next year.) The program voluntarily complies with state guidelines for child/adult ratio and pays the prevailing rate for attendants, so it isn’t skimping on personnel expenses. It averages 22 children per day, with 2011 revenues approximately $55,000. It doesn’t pay rent (using the facilities that already exist for the church Sunday school and nursery,) it doesn’t have to worry about keeping the kitchen up to code (because the church does that), insurance and utilities are paid by the church, as are a portion of office expenses. In return, the church collects $250/mo. as overhead and whatever surplus there is at the end of the year, minus a reserve of $5,000. In 2011, the surplus ended up being $1,578. So in short, the church made $4,578 for a nominal return of 8.3% As noted however, the balance sheet doesn’t account for facility or utility costs, property and liability insurance and probably a bunch of other expenses I’m not thinking of. I hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717/20 "2012-05-13T01:37:25Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > In Chicago, a lot of the Catholic Schools are subsidized by the Parish (and I believe receive some sort of state funding). Many of them are quite good. > [@TriPolar](#): > > They are often run in a church building, so they have no rent. Their insurance is also covered under an existing policy for the church. It goes on like this. The church is already covering many of the costs for janitorial services, utilities, etc. They may also have lot’s of volunteer or low cost help, and the church may cover other costs through fund-raising instead of collecting it in payments from the parents. These are your factual answers. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-faith-based-preschools-less-expensive/621717.md?page=2)