M.B.
You are right that part of it does have to do with money and funding... but also your son is only three and lot's of prek programs will take the fours first. It is much more important for those who only have one year left before kindergarten to get in to preschool. I would look around in your area and get him into a playgroup - it sounds right now that speech and social skills are your biggest concerns? Being around other children should help with that. If you can't find a playgroup just try to get him around kids as regularly as possible (but make sure you're not getting together with kids who may be bad influences). Also - have you looked into a private preschool program (if you can afford that) or even head start? I know with Head Start they work the same way, taking 4's first but it couldn't hurt to check. It depends on what a high demand there is for it in your area. If you don't meet the income guidelines, some H.S. programs allow overincome people into the program if there is not a waiting list for those underincome, age eligible kids.