Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online defines preschool as "the period in a child's life from infancy to the age of five or six that ordinarily precedes attendance at elementary school." Preschool implies a program that happens before a child begins his or her schooling and that may or may not be a part of the education continuum. Preschool programs can be state or privately funded and serve children from birth to age five or six.

The term pre-k is defined by Merriam-Webster Collegiate Edition Online as "a class or program preceding kindergarten for children usually from three to four years old." The term, pre-k, articulates a direct connection to the K-12 system and more accurately evokes the academic and social learning that occurs during the first years of school.

• Well Educated Teachers
  Research shows that pre-k teachers who have bachelor's degrees with specialized training in early childhood development provide the best preparation for their students' advancement to the next level.
• Low Teacher-Child Ratios
  Individual attention is important for young children. Pre-k classrooms need to have no more than 10 children per adult-typically, one teacher and one instructional aide-for a total of no more than 20 children per classroom.
• Family Involvement in the classroom
  High-quality pre-k programs involve and inform parents, incorporating them into the overall program and communicating with them about their children's progress and development on a regular basis.

Read our What is High Quality? fact sheet for more details

• The most important brain development occurs before age five.
• Children in pre-k show significant improvements in the development of social skills such as following directions, joining in activities, waiting turns, problem solving and relating to teachers and parents.
• Children who attend pre-k are more likely to graduate from high school.

Read our Benefits of High-Quality Pre-K fact sheet for more details