We are currently in preschool. A bit shocked at the amount of time preschool expects from parents (not even counting the volunteering for fund-raising and other community activities): presence encouraged during the day at the school every other week for this activity or that celebration, little projects that require running around on WE. You multiply this by 2 (or 3) children and it borders on ridiculous. As another mom said at a recent meeting, can't they just take care of the children without us getting involved for a few hours a day for that price? I am all for "real" homework but don't really see the value of having to bring family pictures or leaves from the park for the nth time. In your experience, does it get better starting in K? Is there a difference between private and public from that standpoint? I am about to start working again and it is definitely a consideration in our decision.