# kindergarten

/ˈkɪndɝˌɡɑɹtən/ (US) · /kˈɪndəɡˌɑːtən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kindergarten
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. school for young children

noun · CEFR A2

a school for children who are too young for primary school.

For teachers: an educational establishment for children typically aged between four and six; often synonymous with nursery school in certain dialects.

- My daughter is starting kindergarten this September and she already has her new backpack.
- The local kindergarten focuses on play-based learning to help children develop social skills before they enter the formal primary education system.

Usage: In many countries, this is the first stage of compulsory or semi-compulsory education.

### 2. the grade before first grade

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

the first year of school for children around age five, before they start first grade.

For teachers: the specific year of schooling that precedes first grade in the North American and Australian systems.

- In kindergarten, children learn the alphabet and how to count to twenty.
- The curriculum for kindergarten has become increasingly academic over the last decade, with a greater emphasis on early literacy and numeracy.

Teaching tip: In British English, the equivalent stage is usually called 'Reception' or 'nursery'.

## Examples

- My daughter starts kindergarten next week.
- The local kindergarten focuses on social skills and creative play to prepare students for the structure of elementary school.
- While the curriculum varies by region, most kindergarten programs emphasize early literacy and numeracy through interactive, age-appropriate activities rather than traditional rote learning.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.