The correct spelling is preschool as a single word with no hyphen. E.g., “He works as a preschool teacher.” Furthermore, the hyphenated word pre-school is incorrect, and you should not use this spelling version. Also, pre school as two words is also incorrect.
There is only one spelling version you should use when referring to a preschool, and that is as one word without a hyphen.
Have a look at these examples to see how preschool is always the variation you should use in your sentences:
- My son is attending preschool at the moment.
- The preschool program emphasizes hands-on learning experiences.
- Many parents start researching preschool options well in advance.
- Social development is a key focus at the local preschool.
- Children at the preschool participate in both indoor and outdoor activities daily.
- Our community offers several preschool workshops throughout the year.
Although some people may use the two-word and compound versions, they are both incorrect.
No grammar rule states you need a hyphen; therefore, pre-school is wrong. Also, pre school is incorrect as the prefix is not connected to school.
So, preschool is the version people use in the UK, the US, Australia, and all other places. It is also the version you should use in academic writing, including texts in AP Style.
Please continue reading the rest of the page, where we explain more about the different versions of preschool.
We’ll show you some great examples of how to correctly and incorrectly use preschool, pre-school, and pre school.
Preschool
The word preschool is correct, and it appears in the Cambridge Dictionary. It refers to educational establishments that educate children aged around 3-5 years old.
Here is an example of the word preschool in a sentence:
- My wife was a preschool teacher, but now she teaches high school.
- The local preschool has an excellent reputation for its early childhood education program.
- We’re enrolling our daughter in preschool next year to prepare her for kindergarten.
- Many educators believe that early experiences in preschool can shape a child’s lifelong learning attitudes.
- Finding a good preschool can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort for your child’s foundational years.
- Some preschool programs emphasize play-based learning, while others might have a more academic focus.
- The annual preschool art exhibition showcased the creative talents of young learners.
There is no other correct spelling version, and you should use preschool in all circumstances.
Pre-school
The hyphenated version pre-school is incorrect because you do not require a hyphen to connect the prefix pre to the word school.
Although some people write the term this way, it is incorrect, and you should avoid it. The correct way to write the term is as one word without a hyphen.
As shown in these examples:
- Correct: My daughter is a preschool student.
- Incorrect: My daughter is a pre-school student.
- Correct: The preschool curriculum focuses on play-based learning.
- Incorrect: The pre-school curriculum focuses on play-based learning.
- Correct: We attended an open house at the local preschool.
- Incorrect: We attended an open house at the local pre-school.
- Correct: Preschool education provides a strong foundation for future academic success.
- Incorrect: Pre-school education provides a strong foundation for future academic success.
- Correct: The transition from preschool to kindergarten can be challenging for some children.
- Incorrect: The transition from pre-school to kindergarten can be challenging for some children.
- Correct: The preschool field trip to the farm was educational and fun.
- Incorrect: The pre-school field trip to the farm was educational and fun.
Remember to always use preschool and never use a hyphen in the word.
Pre School
Writing the term pre school as two separate words is incorrect because you need to join the prefix to the word school.
You do not need to add a hyphen to do this. Instead, you write the term as a single word.
Review these examples to see what we mean:
- Correct: My son is a preschool student.
- Incorrect: My son is a pre school student.
- Correct: The preschool graduation was a heartwarming event.
- Incorrect: The pre school graduation was a heartwarming event.
- Correct: It’s essential to consider the preschool teaching philosophy before enrolling your child.
- Incorrect: It’s essential to consider the pre school teaching philosophy before enrolling your child.
- Correct: The director emphasized the importance of early education during the preschool orientation.
- Incorrect: The director emphasized the importance of early education during the pre school orientation.
- Correct: I’m reading a book about innovative preschool teaching methods.
- Incorrect: I’m reading a book about innovative pre school teaching methods.
- Correct: We’re trying to decide between three local preschools for our son.
- Incorrect: We’re trying to decide between three local pre schools for our son.
So, only preschool as one word is correct to use. You should never use the two-word variation pre school. Neither should you use the hyphenated version pre-school.