in a state ran daycare and preschool? I know preschools are more geared to learning, but ds daycare is a learning center/daycare. Is it really much of a difference b/w the two?

there can be a huge difference it just depends on the center itself. i visted over 12 preschool and daycare center when my oldest was ready for pre-k type program many center said they were learning center/daycare but after sitting thru their classes versus some of the others classes there was a big difference. a good program is going to have a schedule(like school) with outside time circle time craft time letters numbers sight words ect. so when in doubt set up some visits it can be eye opening once you have seen others.

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fALL SEVEN TIMES STAND UP EIGHT!

It depends on the center, but I do think that some daycares can take the place of preschool. Neither one of my boys was in an actual preschool, but they learned every bit as much in their two days a week in daycare as their preschool counterparts. I needed to work two full days so I would have had to put them in preschool on the days I was off - or I could have found a preschool with extended care, but they loved the daycare they were at and I didn't want to move them. Both of them knew everything academically they needed for kindergarten (although I worked with them too) and they had the same structure and socialization as a preschool would have given them.