I'm sorry your having such trouble finding a place for a more free spirited type activity in those centers. I'm originally from Canada but the opposite side and things must be different (BC) because that age is a toddler there, not a pre-k'er and Kinder starts at 5 with a solid date/to age cut off. Pre-k was for age 4 (but it wasn't government run, it was tuition based)
I'm one of those people who didn't do a lot of stuff outside the home when my kids were that age. We did special trips once and awhile to places like the zoo, museums etc but our schedule was not filled by the hour. (dragging infant twins along with my 3 year old just wasn't something I was willing to do on a daily basis) I preferred the downtime with my kids to let them learn to play both alone and together and discover what was right there around them.
My oldest (pg) never sat in circle time ( he probably still wouldn't in 4th grade sadly ), or follow what everyone else was doing, so we avoided that type of thing. I got to listen to teachers rant about it in preschool settings and kindergarten that was more than enough. I can't imagine listening to people complain about it in a setting I chose to take him too lol.
I don't really think there is a middle ground for you unless you accept that they are going to want things X way but you can squeeze in some Y ways during your time there that they won't comment on as much.
Good luck.
