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Preschool: meaning, definitions and examples

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preschool

 

[ ˈpriːˌskuːl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

education

A program of education designed for children between the ages of three and five years old, typically including play, social interaction, and basic learning activities.

Synonyms

kindergarten, nursery school.

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Word Description / Examples
preschool

Typically refers to an educational institution for children ages 3-5, focusing on early childhood education before they start formal schooling.

  • My daughter is learning her ABCs in preschool
  • They have a great program for developing social skills at the local preschool
nursery school

Refers to an establishment where very young children (typically aged 2-4) are cared for while their parents are at work, often with some educational activities; slightly different from preschool as it may emphasize childcare over structured learning.

  • We enrolled our toddler in nursery school so she could play and learn with kids her age
  • The nursery school focuses on play-based learning
kindergarten

Often refers to the first year of formal education for young children, usually at age 5 or 6, and serves as the bridge between preschool and first grade.

  • My son is excited to start kindergarten next year
  • Kindergarten helps children adjust to a school environment

Examples of usage

  • Her daughter attends a preschool where she learns through play.
  • The preschool curriculum focuses on developing social skills and basic literacy.
  • Many parents choose to enroll their children in preschool to prepare them for kindergarten.

Translations

Translations of the word "preschool" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pré-escola

🇮🇳 पूर्वस्कूल

🇩🇪 Vorschule

🇮🇩 prasekolah

🇺🇦 дошкільний заклад

🇵🇱 przedszkole

🇯🇵 幼稚園 (ようちえん)

🇫🇷 école maternelle

🇪🇸 preescolar

🇹🇷 anaokulu

🇰🇷 유치원 (유아원)

🇸🇦 رياض الأطفال

🇨🇿 mateřská škola

🇸🇰 materská škola

🇨🇳 幼儿园 (yòu'éryuán)

🇸🇮 vrtec

🇮🇸 leikskóli

🇰🇿 мектепке дейінгі мекеме

🇬🇪 საბავშვო ბაღი

🇦🇿 məktəbəqədər təhsil müəssisəsi

🇲🇽 preescolar

Etymology

The term 'preschool' originated in the United States in the 19th century as a response to the need for early childhood education. It was influenced by the ideas of Friedrich Froebel, who founded the first kindergarten in Germany. Preschools have since become an integral part of early childhood education worldwide, providing young children with a foundation for future learning and social development.

See also: school, schooling, schoolroom, unschooled.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,049, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.