preschool

[ adjective pree-skool; noun pree-skool ]

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

/ priːˈskuːl /

adjective

1. 1. (of a child) under the age at which compulsory education begins
   2. (of services) for or relating to preschool children

Word History and Origins

Origin of preschool¹

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

Example Sentences

The reopening plan calls for first bringing back students from preschool to Grade 2 and students who are vulnerable and have special needs, with other grade levels returning on a phased schedule starting in March.

From Washington Post

My younger daughter was supposed to go back to her toddler program at the preschool.

From Vox

Dixon, a teacher for more than two decades and the director of the preschool for two years, can relate to her students — and their parents.

From Washington Post

The district, formed in 1938 in one of the county’s oldest communities, is home to just 230 students from preschool to 12th grade.

From Voice of San Diego

The preschool teachers are now being asked to take on responsibilities requiring medical expertise, such as evaluating runny nose secretions based on thickness and color.

From Fortune

High quality, free preschool for three and four year-olds growing up in low or moderate income households.

From The Daily Beast

About half of these are preschool students with varying levels of special needs.

From The Daily Beast

These kinds of supports start as early as preschool, Osher said.

From The Daily Beast

Children typically begin to recall and describe their dreams around preschool age.

From The Daily Beast

Our schools are suspending or expelling a tremendous number of black students, and it begins as early as preschool.

From The Daily Beast

But though Jake needed a preschool child with intelligence, he did not realize the height of Jimmy Holden's.

From Project Gutenberg

Approximately 50 percent of the children in elementary school have had their preschool education in the half day kindergartens.

From Project Gutenberg

For the preschool years we will help needy children become aware of the excitement of learning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• day-care center
• kindergarten