At ages 3 and 5, (and well into the beyond) public is just fine in most cases.
Unless there is a "keep up with the Jones" mentality in the neighborhood, but we don't subscribe to that brainlessness here at SS; do we?
Save yourself loads of money.
The parents' input into their kids education is the main difference.
I have to disagree with you there. Early childhood years are critical too to how they will develop into teenagers. It's like the mentality 'oh so what if he can't read when most children his age can, he's still young....he'll get better when he gets older'......it's a very tender age and very important and if you do believe that a private school is the best option for you then pls don't think of it as a waste of money just because your child is only 5y.o.
My husband is a ECT and wants our children in private school. You will get naughty kids at all schools but at private schools...kids tend to be eager to learn (they are screened and usually their parents put in the effort at home). At public schools, you tend to get more kids that would rather play than learn. I also think it's money well spent. Education, my children's happiness, to be feel secure and happy and be at the same school from prep to year 12....is really a small price to pay...I'd spend money on that over an IP any day. The only reason why I invest is to be able to afford things like private schooling, otherwise what's the point? ofcourse $24k a yr for a 5y.o is just ridiculous. But say between $1.5k to $5k is ok when you consider how expensive CC is, private schooling is a relief.
Even when I was at a private school, it was cool to be smart but at the public school, it was cool to be dumb/naughty and geeky to be smart. My grades went downhill when I changed to public coz I wanted to fit in and there was no culture of being studious whereas I/everybody wanted to be popular in private school so always aimed to get dux i.e 90% + in exams. I was 'saved' just before the crucial year 11 coz I found myself a bf, gave up on my friends and my life for the next 2 yrs just revolved around my bf, work and school and I went to Uni. All my friends either dropped out or got pregnant and dropped out.
But I am not bitter because I count all experiences good or bad as valuable. I still met some great friends through public schooling, it helped to mature me quicker to be able to see both side of the fence.