There are several synonyms for the word "prekindergarten," which refer to early childhood education for children aged 3-5. One of the most common phrases is "preschool," which encompasses any educational program that serves this age range. Another synonym is "nursery school," which originally referred to programs that provided care for young children while their parents worked, but now includes educational activities as well. "Pre-K" is a common shorthand for prekindergarten, particularly in the United States. Other synonyms for prekindergarten include "early childhood education," "kindergarten readiness programs," and "pre-primary education." Regardless of the term used, early childhood education is critical to helping young children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.