Pre-kindergarten, often abbreviated as “pre-K,” is an educational program designed for children who are too young to attend traditional kindergarten. Pre-K programs typically serve children who are four years old, although some programs may enroll children as young as three.

The goal of pre-K is to provide young children with a foundation of social, emotional, and academic skills that will prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond. Pre-K programs may focus on developing skills such as pre-reading, pre-math, socialization, and self-regulation.