Though all of childhood is an exciting learning experience, the beginning of formal education whether a part-time nursery school program or a full day of kindergarten-is a momentous occasion. The best preparation is emotional in nature. The child who feels secure and loved and who has had experiences with developing positive relationships with adults and other children is well equipped to venture forth.

Nursery school and preschool are educational environments for preschoolers from age 2% to 4. Unlike childcare, which may also include appropriate educational experiences for preschoolers, nursery school and preschool are not full-day, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. programs. Most involve half- or full-day schedules that fall within the hours of a regular school day, or approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3 p m Some nursery school and preschool programs, however, do offer extended days to accommodate the schedules of working parents, and include such childcare routines as lunch and naptime. Nursery schools emphasize the teaching of social skills and, for 4-year-olds, kindergarten preparation. The terms "nursery school" and "preschool" are usually used interchangeably, although programs for 4 year olds are generally called preschools or pre-K programs.

There's no hard and fast rule about the need for nursery school, though most kids who attend nursery school do benefit from the experience. A good nursery program allows children to learn a great deal from peer interactions and from teachers trained in early childhood development. Kids in preschool programs also have fun.

A nursery school program provides your child with more opportunities to meet and play with other children and to form attachments to other caring adults. Although 2-year-olds may normally play alone even when they are with other children, they usually do enjoy : watching and imitating each other as long as a loving and responsive adult is present to help prevent grabs for one another's toys and to soothe hurt feelings and hurt knees. Three- and 4-year-olds seek out children to play with, and if your child doesn't otherwise have many playmates available, a preschool is a great resource for widening his social circle.

Nursery schools provide children with new experiences and activities they can't enjoy at home. Most families do not have the physical space or the equipment to allow a child to run, jump, climb, and play, whereas a good preschool is designed for such activities and has the right playground equipment right outside the door. A preschool generally has a wider variety of creative materials available than you have the resources or the space at home for. In addition, a nursery school teacher, trained in early childhood development, can guide your child in his social interactions and his use of play materials in appropriate ways. The preschool experience can also help prepare your child for the more formal setting of a kindergarten.