Day care has nothing to do with zoning as far as I'm aware. Its where you live.

There are private schools that aren't religious. Independant schools.

Also, I choose the school based on the school. Not so much the public/private aspect. I choose to live in smaller country towns for the smaller public schools, but for high school I'd prefer private if I can. I will likely be sending DD away to board in another town (no high school here) & I'm looking at the public as well as private for her. (There are hostels over here because a lot of kids have to go away for school, but can't afford boarding fee's plus private schooling.)

Ask around & read about the schools. Its the only way to know what they're like.