preschool
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preschool
An educational institution for children in the last year before starting school, intended to prepare them for the demands of elementary school through play.
Unsere Tochter geht jetzt in die Vorschule, um sich an den Schulalltag zu gewöhnen.
Our daughter now goes to preschool to get used to everyday school life.
The word is easy to understand if you look at its parts: 'Vor-' means 'before' and 'Schule' means school. So 'Vorschule' (preschool) is the institution you attend before actual school.
Die Anmeldung für die Vorschule muss bis März erfolgen.
Registration for preschool must be completed by March.
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. You say 'in die Vorschule gehen' (to go to preschool, accusative) for movement toward it, but 'in der Vorschule sein' (to be in preschool, dative) for being there.
Mein Sohn geht ab September in die Vorschule.
My son is going to preschool starting in September.
In connection with 'Vorschule' (preschool), the verbs 'besuchen' (to attend), 'gehen in' (to go to), and 'anmelden' (to register/enroll) are often used.
Wir möchten unser Kind in der örtlichen Vorschule anmelden.
We would like to enroll our child in the local preschool.
kindergarten
'der Kindergarten' and 'die Vorschule' both have to do with children before elementary school. 'Kindergarten' is the general facility for children of preschool age, where they are cared for, play, and learn. 'Vorschule' refers more specifically to the last year or a special program before starting school. There, preparation for school is more strongly emphasized. The words can be confused because both come before school. In practical terms: 'Kindergarten' is normal childcare over several years, while 'Vorschule' is more focused on starting school.
In der Vorschule üben die Kinder, ihren Namen zu schreiben.
In preschool, the children practice writing their names.
Morgen macht der Kindergarten einen Ausflug in den Park.
Tomorrow the kindergarten is going on a trip to the park.