Pre – School

A preschool, also known as nursery school, pre-primary school, play school or creche, is an educational establishment or learning space offering early childhood education to children before they begin compulsory education at primary school. It may be publicly or privately operated, and may be subsidized from public funds.

Information

Terminology varies by country. In some European countries the term “kindergarten” refers to formal education of children classified as  level 0 – with one or several years of such education being compulsory – before children start primary school at level 1.

The following terms may be used for educational institutions for this age group:

• Pre-Primary from 6 weeks old to 6 years old- is an educational childcare service a parent can enroll their children in before primary school. This can also be used to define services for children younger than kindergarten age, especially in countries where kindergarten is compulsory. The pre-primary program takes place in a nursery school.
• Nursery school from 2 years to 5 years old- is a pre-primary educational child care institution which includes Preschool.
• Preschool from 2 to 5 years old- held in a Nursery School; readiness has to do with whether the child is on track developmentally, and potty training is a big factor, so a child can start as early as 2 years old. Preschool education is important and beneficial for any child attending nursery school because it gives the child a head start through social interactions. Through cognitive, psychosocial and physical development-based learning a child in preschool will learn about their environment and how to verbally communicate with others. Children who attend Preschool learn how the world around them works through play and communication.
• Pre-K (or Pre-Kindergarten) from 4 to 5 years old- held in Nursery School and is an initiative to improve access to pre-primary schools for children in the Nepal. There is much more than teaching a child colors, numbers, shapes and so on.
• Kindergarten from 5 to 6 years old- held in a Nursery School and/or some primary elementary schools; in many parts of world (less so in English speaking countries) it refers to the first stages of formal education.

What Do Kids Learn in Preschool?

Preschools teach the basics to kids, giving them a strong foundation for the elementary years. This includes academic concepts of literacy and math, such as counting, coloring, and letter recognition and developing large and fine motor skills, such as walking in a line and using a pencil. It also includes social and school-readiness skills, such as making friends, sharing, and taking turns.

Academic Concepts in the Preschool Curriculum

The preschool curriculum offered at one child’s preschool may vary significantly from what is offered at other schools. This is because preschools are not governed by the standards that apply to K-12 education.

So, individual schools and groups of schools have the freedom to teach what they please in the manner they prefer.3 For example, preschools located in religious institutions may include religious education in their curriculum. Montessori preschools use specific materials and activities to encourage children in hands-on learning.4

Teachers may also adjust their educational approaches to suit the needs of individual children in their classroom. While preschools don’t all adhere to the same educational guidelines, they’re intended to prepare students for kindergarten. That means most effective preschools work on key skill areas, which include math, science, and literacy skills.

Important concepts in the preschool curriculum include the following:

• Calendar, including the seasons, days of the week, and months of the year
• Coloring
• Colors
• Cooperation
• Cutting
• Drawing and painting
• Gluing
• Hygiene
• Letters
• Listening
• Nature
• Numbers
• Physical activity like running, jumping, skipping, hopping on one foot, and using playground equipment and balls
• Shapes
• Sharing
• Sorting objects
• Taking turns
• Transitioning from one activity to another
• Weather
• Writing letters and numbers

Motor Skills

Preschool-age children are learning to master both gross motor skills (which involve large physical movements) and fine motor skills (such as manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination). Many preschools spend time actively engaged in working on these developmental skills.

Fine-motor activities, which are important for writing, grasping, and coordinating fine movements, include drawing, cutting, coloring, and gluing. Gross motor skills are often worked on during recess and may involve using playground equipment, running, skipping, jumping, and kicking or throwing a ball to a partner.