We're picking a pre k for DS and we've narrowed it down to two day cares, but I'm very torn which one to pick! I visited both and they're similar in cost, but otherwise very different.

The first one is like the day care he goes to now - a small center that's been around for some 30 years. I loved how warmly the director talked about the kids, and that she said they're always tweaking the program to suit the strengths of that year's class. The downside is that I don't think the program would be very challenging for DS, especially because he's now in a group of 3 and 4 year olds doing a lite version of the pre k program. But they do something I don't think any other pre k here does - they take the kids on field trips once in a while. That means a lot to me, I can't stand the thought of DS cooped up in a room plus a little backyard five days a week if there's an alternative.

The second pre k is a big new center, it's only been around for a year. People say they have a very strong program. I didn't like it when I visited though - not major bad vibes, but it was really clean and sterile-looking, and there was no mess anywhere. I thought it was odd, every other place I've gone to there were toys everywhere and you could tell kids play there. This place... I don't know, I got the impression they don't encourage free play. Here's the thing though - four of DS's friends from day care are planning to go there. Their parents don't like the first day care because they don't think it's on the same level academically, but they really like this one.

I get that letters and numbers are important, but I still think a four year old needs playing and outdoors even more than they need learning. I think if DS goes to the second day care, he'll really miss out on that. But I also think it would be good for him to stay with his friends, so I don't know what to do! For what it's worth, my parents transferred me to a "better" school when I was a kid and I lost all my friends. It was awful and I'd rather not do that to DS without a really good reason.