Preschool v. Pre-K

Whats the difference and how old do you have to be to go to Pre-K? Is it free from your school district?

Excuse the dumb question.

Re: Preschool v. Pre-K

Pre-K is is usually the year before the kids enter Kindergarten, so the age is usually 4. I usually refer to 3 year old program as Nursery school, but others have also called it pre-K.

Not all districts have a pre-K in the public school system, but some do. My school district actually does, but it is limited in the amount of students and it's on a lottery basis (first those with financial need and then open to the rest). I send/sent my children to private pre-K and paid.