CONCORD, Calif. (AP) — A year before I-Ting Quinn’s son was old enough for kindergarten, she and her husband had the option to enroll him in “transitional kindergarten,” a program offered for free by California elementary schools for some 4-year-olds.
Instead, they kept their son, Ethan, in a private day care center in Concord, California, at a cost of $400 a week.
Transitional kindergarten’s academic emphasis was appealing, but Ethan would have been in a half-day program, and options for afterschool child care were limited. And for two parents with hectic work schedules in the hospitality industry, there was the convenience of having Ethan and his younger brother at the same day care, with a single stop for morning drop-off and evening pickup.
“Ethan is navigating changes at home with a new younger brother and then possibly a new school where he is the youngest,” Quinn said. “That doesn’t even include the concerns around drop-off and pickups, including transportation to and from his class to afterschool care at a different location. It is just a lot to consider.”
Justin Verlander allows 2 runs over 6 innings in season debut for Astros
Biden hosts Kishida in official visit as US, Japan bolster defense ties
US Treasury Secretary explains her 'magic mushroom' experience in China
How electorate candidates funded their campaigns
Pennsylvania cop and military veteran, 28, 'raped 13
Hong Kong arts charity cancels deaf dance group performance
'Major logistics exercise' to deliver humanitarian aid from NZ to Gaza
South China Sea: US accuses China of 'risky' fighter jet intercepts
Debate over tight end value hovers over Brock Bowers' draft prospects
Police Minister admits NZ cannot compete with Australian recruitment offer
Chinese publisher unveils new Harry Potter tie
AT&T data breach: Millions of customers caught up in major dark web leak