preschool

American  

[pree-skool, pree-skool] / ˈpriˈskul, ˈpriˌskul /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or intended for a child between infancy and school age.

   new methods of preschool education.

---

noun

1. a school or nursery for preschool children.

preschool British  

/ priːˈskuːl /

adjective

1. 1. (of a child) under the age at which compulsory education begins

   2. (of services) for or relating to preschool children

---

Etymology

Origin of preschool

First recorded in 1920–25; pre- + school ¹

Example Sentences

The first nationwide randomized study of children enrolled in public Montessori preschools found that students showed stronger learning outcomes by the time they reached kindergarten.

From Science Daily

Yes, I’ve washed my husband’s feet when he couldn’t bend down, been the only parent at preschool dropoff and pickup, and advocated on Marty’s behalf to his health insurance with only a few choice expletives.

From Los Angeles Times

County’s local preschools are closing in areas where transitional kindergarten is thriving, disrupting an already fraught child-care system.

From Los Angeles Times

Universal preschool education was barely a fringe issue at the time, Austin said, but Reiner was more interested in social change than making political points.

From Los Angeles Times

Across Southern California, pediatricians, preschool teachers and public health experts say they’ve seen a surge in families seeking to prune certain shots from the schedule and many delay others based on “individualized risk.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• day-care center
• kindergarten