kindergarten

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɪndəˌgɑːt(ə)n/

noun

  • (in Britain and Australia) an establishment where children below the age of compulsory education play and learn; a nursery school.
  • (in North America) a class or school that prepares children, usually five- or six-year-olds, for the first year of formal education.

Derivatives

kindergartener

(US also kindergartner) noun

Origin:

mid 19th century: from German, literally 'children's garden'