prekindergarten

American  

[pree-kin-der-gahr-tuhn, -duhn] / ˌpriˈkɪn dərˌgɑr tən, -dən /

noun

1. a school program preparing three- and four-year-olds for kindergarten; a class of children in such a program.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or enrolled in a school program preparing three- and four-year-olds for kindergarten.

Example Sentences

New York state lost enrollment last school year, even as New York City, which already has universal prekindergarten, is charging ahead with a plan to make all child care free for younger children.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

It could come in gradual expansions to the universal prekindergarten that was de Blasio’s signature achievement—for example, one grade level at a time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

As the child nutrition director for the Haleyville City School District, she has the job of feeding 1,600 students, in prekindergarten through 12th grade.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2024

In Washington, enrollment in public schools from prekindergarten through grade 12 is projected to be 1,033,500 by fall 2030 — that’s down by 59,300, or 5.4%, from fall 2023.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023

In the afternoon, after the girl comes home from prekindergarten class, they thumb through picture books and play.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario