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preschool can start as early as 2, and it is usually private. pre-k is public, free pre-k and it is before kindergarten. most school districts do not offer pre-k however, and if they do, slots fill up fast. kids with older siblings usually have priority.

the elementary school we're zoned for has pre-k, so we will probably send charlie there. that means no paying for childcare. woohoo!

thanks for asking this question, i've been wondering the same thing!

Pre-K is when they are 4 and through your local public school. U-PreK is the free one!

I'm not sure yet if I will send M to U Pre-K or keep her in preschool. Our elementary school is literally 2 blocks away but I think the U PreK is at a local church.

Sometimes a pre-school has affiliation with the local elementary school and they offer special classes that conform to the U PreK curriculum. Which may be different than the preschool's curriculum.

@Mrs. Bee: I vaguely remember you guys talking about not loving your zoned school. Have you guys given more thoughts to that for Charlie?

@regberadaisy: their pre-k and k is good, so a lot of parents send their kids for two years and then switch because it's almost impossible to get into a pre-k slot anywhere else in our neighborhood since siblings have priority.

we would have to move to get into a better district, charlie would have to test as gifted and get into a school in another district (traveling sucks though since we don't have a car), or we could apply to charter schools which are open to everyone.

DS is in Pre K at our local public school. He is 3 (4 in November) and this is his 2nd year. I just pay to register him as if he was in Kindergartin so it's not "free" but registration is a 1 time fee. He is in a special program for kids with developmental delays and learning disabilities. He is ADHD and has Sensory Intigration Disorder. He recieves free speach therepy and occupational therepy while at school. The program starts at age 3 here. He will go to Pre K again next year and then to Kindergartin when he is 5 so he will have 3 years of Pre K under his belt.