Most of the kids who were in preschool with my kids were there because both of their parents had full-time jobs, and preschool provided more socialization, learning, and overall a more enriched environment than daycare. And kindergarten where we live isn't just about learning how to be at school etc - there is a curriculum and it's heavy on learning to read with quite a bit of other beginning academics tossed in.
We didn't have to send our kids to preschool but we chose to, and to be honest, I thought it was a great experience for them. We sent them to a Montessori preschool that wasn't focused at all on academics, but the explorations that they did, the opportunity to know and love and trust other adults as caretakers, and the fun they had with other children were all positives for them. We still see many of their preschool friends around town at kid activities, in summer camps etc. and my kids still (mostly) remember preschool fondly (note - we did have one very bad experience which is not remembered fondly!).
Best wishes,
polarbear
