A viral video of Indian content creator Sonal Chaudhary on Instagram has raised discussions in the United States about the cost of early childhood education as it has been revealed that private preschool fees in her area are comparable to a new Maruti Brezza in India. Parents of children both in India and the US were shocked by how expensive tuition costs are and the care of children in American preschools.
Sonal, who lives in Simsbury, Connecticut, documented her visit to a private preschool when she was looking to get in for her two-year-old daughter Bani. Cheryl, who was on the tour with her, explained the school's teaching philosophy, classroom setup, daily schedule, and developmental activities suited for toddlers.
One aspect that impressed Sonal was the low teacher-to-child ratio of the preschool. According to the school, every classroom of eight children is supervised by two teachers. With this ratio, teachers can provide individual attention, closely monitor each child’s progress, and create a nurturing learning environment. In comparison, many schools in the world, such as in India, have much larger class sizes.
The preschool also had lots of activities in its curriculum. Rather than just academics, children do singing sessions, yoga, creative play, storytelling, arts and crafts, sensory activities, and structured learning exercises so they develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills. The approach reflects the focus on holistic early childhood education in many American private preschools.
The biggest surprise came when the conversation shifted to tuition fees. Sonal explained that for a child to be enrolled for just two days a week, it cost around ₹4 lakh a year. For the full five-day program, parents would have to spend about ₹9 lakh per year, which is about the price of a new Maruti Brezza in India. The preschool's academic year runs from September to late June, with classes from 8:45 am to 11:45 am every day.
Sonal, who was initially astonished by the numbers, said the costs seemed to be more palatable once she learned about the quality of care, experienced staff, and specialized learning environment provided by the institution. Such preschools are privately operated and therefore rely on tuition fees to cover teacher salaries, staff, facilities, and educational resources, she said.
The video Sonal made makes an important point: preschool education in the United States is not part of the free public education system in most areas. While public education is generally free from kindergarten to Grade 12, preschool remains optional and privately funded. So many Americans see preschool as one of the most significant educational expenses in a child's early years.
The viral video has prompted comparisons between India and the United States in education. Many viewers expressed surprise that families spend such large sums before children even enter kindergarten, while others pointed out that smaller class sizes, trained educators, and activity-based learning can play a huge role in a child’s development during the formative years.
There is no unanimity among social media users as to whether such fees are justified and what is in our children’s care and where to send them. The cost is an expensive burden on young parents, and preschool education is out of reach for many households. The conversation has also brought up broader issues of childcare affordability, early learning opportunities, and parents’ values regarding foundational education.
The video is still being widely circulated online and has given us insight into preschool in the U.S. Whether seen as an expensive necessity or a worthwhile investment, the conversation has raised the question of the cost of early childhood education in the world and the price for getting kids started in a good place.
