What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
preschool
Example
My daughter attends preschool three days a week. [preschool: noun]
Example
The preschool teacher read a story to the children. [preschool: adjective]
kindergarten
Example
My son is excited to start kindergarten next year. [kindergarten: noun]
Example
The kindergarten teacher taught the students how to count. [kindergarten: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Preschool is more commonly used than kindergarten in everyday language, as it covers a wider age range and is not mandatory. However, kindergarten is a well-known term in the education system and is a crucial step in a child's academic journey.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between preschool and kindergarten?
Both preschool and kindergarten are generally informal terms used in casual conversation. However, kindergarten may be used in more formal contexts such as academic research or policy discussions.