another thing I learned today: pre-k classes in public schools near here only appear to have a lot available space for the next-year newcomers. In reality, all that space is already spoken for by the kids with siblings who already go to those schools. This is what happens when you live in a place where everyone else but you has a large family.

The city guarantees everyone a spot in a pre-k; but they do not guarantee that it would be anywhere remotely close to where you live, or anywhere you might want to send your child to.