kindergarten
n.-
1 school for young children (n.) A2 Elementary Educationa school for children who are too young for primary school.
an educational establishment for children typically aged between four and six; often synonymous with nursery school in certain dialects.
ExampleMy daughter is starting kindergarten this September and she already has her new backpack.
ExampleThe local kindergarten focuses on play-based learning to help children develop social skills before they enter the formal primary education system.
UsageIn many countries, this is the first stage of compulsory or semi-compulsory education.
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2 the grade before first grade (n.) B1 Intermediate American English Educationthe first year of school for children around age five, before they start first grade.
the specific year of schooling that precedes first grade in the North American and Australian systems.
ExampleIn kindergarten, children learn the alphabet and how to count to twenty.
ExampleThe curriculum for kindergarten has become increasingly academic over the last decade, with a greater emphasis on early literacy and numeracy.
Teacher's tipIn British English, the equivalent stage is usually called 'Reception' or 'nursery'.
Unadapted borrowing from German Kindergarten (“kindergarten”, literally “garden of children”), coined by German pedagogue Friedrich Fröbel (early 19th century).
- Nounkindergarten
- Adjectivekinder