Preschools for 4 year olds: Preschool Programs for Ages 3

22 Top Denver Preschools for 2022 [Parent Reviewed]

written by Brightwheel | June 09, 2022

Kickstart your search process with some of the top-rated preschools in Denver, CO

When it comes to our kids, sometimes it takes a village — and today, we hope to become a part of yours. Our team of parents read through 1,557 Denver preschool reviews, so that you don’t have to. 

With over 375 early education providers in the Denver area, it’s sometimes hard to figure out which one is the best preschool for your child. And, there’s no one-size-fits-all list that works for everyone. 

As we read through hundreds of reviews together, one core thing stood out: there are so many amazing preschools, teachers, and staff in Denver that genuinely care about their children. They go above and beyond to provide kids with high-quality preparation for elementary school — and life in general. So many of these reviews just melted our hearts. 

Consider this guide a starting point. We couldn’t feature every top preschool in and around Denver, but below are some of the most highly-rated preschools based on parent reviews across the web. 

If you have any questions before you dive into specific schools, check out our Common Preschool Questions section below. 

Ok, let’s do this! 

Children’s Learning Center

Parent Reviews

The Children’s Learning Center is loved by parents and children alike — reviews often mentioned how emotionally difficult it was to say goodbye and move on to primary school. The teachers are praised for being caring and sweet, while the facility is credited for its “impeccable” cleanliness and its shaded and secure outdoor area. Parents felt safe at the Children’s Learning Center during the pandemic, too, because of the staff’s diligence toward cleanliness and safety protocols. Lastly, the highly structured curriculum and dual-language English and Spanish teaching earned accolades from more academically-inclined parents.

Program Highlights

The Children’s Learning Center (CLC) has been in operation since 2015 and offers full-time classes Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM. The preschool program focuses on teaching kids social, physical, creative, and cognitive skills through self-discovery and hands-on learning. One of the core philosophies at CLC is that kids should learn through play, which is the cornerstone of the curriculum. CLC is proud to offer dual-language classes that teach kids to speak Spanish as well as English. One of the nice benefits of the CLC is that breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included in the cost of the tuition.  

Iliff Preschool

Parent Reviews

How exactly does a school earn an award for being aerodynamic? By being inside of an airplane! Parents and kids at Iliff preschool can’t stop talking about how one of the classrooms is a converted DC-7 airplane named “Charlie 21.” Parents say their kids bolt out of bed and rush to “airplane school. ” In addition to this awesome and unique feature, reviews also mention how teachers partner with parents to help children succeed with emotional skills, social skills, literacy, science, and math. It’s also praised as a great school for working parents and for helping kids “soar” to new heights.

Program Highlights

The child-centered, play-based curriculum at Iliff includes core subjects such as literacy, math, science, social studies, and interactive media. The teachers at Iliff specialize in spending one-on-one time with the children to assist them with their individual needs. The integrated Building Language for Literacy (BLL) program is renowned for helping preschool-age children excel at reading and writing. In operation since 1963, Iliff has a proven track record with almost 60 years of experience in early childhood education and is one of the only preschools in the state to offer outdoor learning labs where kids can learn outside.  

Positive Alternative Preschool

Parent Reviews

Leaving kids at a daycare or preschool isn’t easy, but parents at Positive Alternative Preschool don’t have that problem at all. According to their glowing reviews, Positive Alternative Preschool feels like family. Kids make friends here with ease, eliminating a common stressor for busy parents. Frequently mentioned in parent reviews is the low staff turnover, with some teachers racking up 20+ years at their posts. The director, Marcia, comes up often, both for her hard work and because her mom founded the school 30 years ago. Parents also like the big indoor gym, the quality of the food, and neat features like sibling discounts.

Program Highlights

Founded in 1986, The Positive Alternative Preschool (PAP) is a family-owned and operated preschool that teaches kids the core building blocks required for academic success later in life. Featuring five classrooms, two large outdoor playgrounds, and a large gymnasium, the center is equipped with everything kids need to succeed while having fun at preschool. A 12-passenger van enables PAP to facilitate a number of different field trips throughout the year, and two snacks plus lunch are offered daily and included in the cost of tuition.

Crestmoor Learning Center

Parent Reviews

Time and again, parent reviews of Crestmoor Learning Center tell the same story: a child who is shy, acts out, or struggles to make friends turns around after joining this school. They made a gaggle of friends, their behavior improved, and they all became excited to get up and go to school every morning. Parents also sing the praises of Crestmoor’s varied activities, which include academics, art, Spanish immersion, fun projects, music, park days, water play, you name it. The school is also recognized for its low teacher-to-child ratio and the loving, compassionate, and creative teachers that are so plentiful.

Program Highlights

Crestmoor Learning Center aims to provide a social and creative environment where preschoolers can learn vital life skills and gain a strong academic foundation for the years of study ahead. All of the group leaders and teachers in the program are fully trained and licensed. The curriculum includes subjects such as physical development, math, science, language, and music. The program also focuses on teaching kids social-emotional skills such as the importance of communication, self-confidence, and articulating their feelings. Crestmoor also offers a Spanish language immersion program, and all meals and snacks are included in the cost of the tuition.

Primrose School at the Denver Tech Center

Parent Reviews

The reviews for the Primrose School at the Denver Tech Center all have a common thread: just how exciting the program is. Parents love the stimulating activities that teachers put together, which are said to be adapted to each child’s needs. Primrose is also frequently praised for its constant, caring communication, specifically how responsive and transparent the teachers are. The early child development program, in particular, is called out for being fantastic and for really emphasizing the “early” part: kids are accepted as young as 6-weeks.

Program Highlights

Founded in 1982, the Primrose School at the Denver Tech Center offers a balanced learning approach that promotes curiosity, confidence, creativity, and compassion. The preschool curriculum at Primrose includes subjects such as language and literacy, math, creative arts, social studies, science, and engineering, as well as social and emotional development. Primrose also offers three specialty preschool programs: the Mucho Mundo program teaches kids a second language, the Primrose Early Art Masters program introduces kids to the works of the most famous art masters, and the Harmony and Heart program teaches the children to sing and dance.

The Learning Experience

Parent Reviews

The Learning Experience in Westminster is cited by parental reviews as a school where their children experience a wide, formative education that sticks with them. The staff are relaxed and professional, according to parents, and teach a variety of subjects like Spanish, sign language, art, journaling, painting, and world culture. Parents found the school’s app to be particularly useful, which allows teachers to send pictures and updates for their kids’ activities right to parents’ smartphones. One mom was blown away that her young child’s class was able to paint the Great Sphinx during their Egypt unit.

Program Highlights

Founded in 1980, The Learning Experience has been preparing kids for a bright academic future for over thirty years now. The proprietary L.E.A.P (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum for preschoolers includes learning a second language (Spanish or Mandarin), physical fitness, STEM, a phonics program, and a philanthropy program that teaches kids the importance of sharing and selflessness. One notable feature of the L.E.A.P program is the Show and Tell App that allows parents to receive picture notifications and updates throughout the day. Additionally, much emphasis is put on learning vital cognitive skills such as sequencing, storytelling, and writing.

NinaBees Nature Explorers

Parent Reviews

NinaBees Nature Explorers earns parents’ admiration with an environment they say consistently nurtures all aspects of their child’s growth. Parents say they find the teachers don’t talk down to the kids and instead focus on creating a calm, kind, and trusting atmosphere for learning. Kids and parents alike seem to cherish the play-based curriculum that exposes kids to nature, gardening, composting, and in-and-outdoor play. Reviews of NinaBees applaud how the school also teaches handy life skills and even focuses on the importance of routines for daily life that kids carry with them for years afterward.

Program Highlights

NinaBees is the preschool program offered by the Highlands United Methodist Church. The goal of the program is to teach children to learn through indoor and outdoor play. With courses that focus on social, physical, intellectual, and language-based learning, kids who attend preschool at NinaBees develop a well-rounded foundation for further academic study. Open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, the program guarantees that all instructors are fully licensed and background checked. One other notable feature of the program at NinaBees is that it teaches kids a basic personal care routine that instills the importance of being independent and looking after themselves.  

Apple Tree Christian Preschool

Parent Reviews

Apple Tree Christian Preschool wins our award for “Most Enriching” because, in their reviews of the school, parents found a place where their children could be nourished mind, body, and soul. Parents often mentioned how the school teaches values like friendship, forgiveness, and love alongside the rigorous study of science, music, phonics, art, and Spanish. The small class sizes come up often as well, as do the wide selection of holiday activities like Easter Egg hunts, Halloween Trunk or Treats, and the Christmas program.

Program Highlights

The Apple Tree Christian Preschool is a Christian childhood development program that focuses on teaching kids in a balanced way, with half of the lessons being child-centric and half being teacher-guided experiences. Apple Tree offers both half-day and extended-day programs with two-, three-, four-, and five-day programs. All of the programs’ teachers are state certified and were carefully chosen for their ability to provide a fun and safe learning environment for the children. The half-day program runs from 9 AM to 1 PM, while the extended day program runs from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, with an 8:30 AM drop-off time.

Espree Learning Center

Parent Reviews

Reviews of Espree Learning Center make it clear that parents adore their holistic approach to learning and child growth. One mom said the child-focused, teacher-directed curriculum empowered her children to take control of their own learning and feel a sense of ownership. The staff is often complimented for their dedication, low turnover, and provable academic qualifications. Espree’s in-house chefs and excellent food are mentioned often, too, for taking the stress of food prep off of busy moms. Kids and parents also prized the summer programs, which add daily swim lessons to the mix.

Program Highlights

The preschool program at Espree is focused on teaching kids emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually. The curriculum includes many subjects such as math, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, and much more. Additionally, the school aims to help kids refine their motor skills and also teaches music to the preschoolers. Espree offers both a half-day program that runs from 8:30 to 11:30 AM and a full-day program that runs from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. One additional feature of the program is that it also teaches the children to swim, which is a skill not commonly taught in other preschools.

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse

Parent Reviews

No parent wants their texts or emails to go unanswered or to feel like their kid is unreachable, which seems to be the guiding star of Little Sunshine’s Playhouse. In reviews, parents repeat over and over how easy it is to feel connected to their child here. Teachers send photos, messages, and updates throughout the day, and every single classroom and play area is equipped with cameras that parents love to check in on. Reviews also gush about the food (made by a chef on-site), the security of the school, its excellent curriculum, and its potty training program.

Program Highlights

First opened in 2016, Little Sunshine’s Playhouse is one of the most flexible preschools in Denver, offering a variety of different preschool schedules, including Monday-Friday, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and Tuesday-Thursday. Boasting a play-first methodology, the program focuses on teaching kids self-awareness and self-help skills. The instructors will also make sure that the children know how to write their names, recognize letters and numbers, identify colors, and articulate their emotions. Each month the school offers unique projects to help the kids learn additional skills that will fuel their cognitive development. 

More top-rated preschools near you

Depending on where in the Denver metro area you’re searching, here are some more of the highest-rated preschools by neighborhood:

• Arvada: Foundations Early Childhood Center

• Aurora: iKid Academy, La Petite Ecole, and Tinker Town Preschool 

• Berkeley: Square One Learning

• Centennial: Willows Learning Center

• Lakewood: Concordia Lutheran Preschool

• Littleton: Great Escape, H&H Learning Center, and Wilder Community Preschool

• Thornton: A Child’s Touch

• University Hills: Thrive Preschool at Plum Hill

Common preschool questions

The first time we had to find preschools for our kids, we had so many questions — like so many. But don’t worry, we have your back. Here are the core questions that our team pulled together and researched. If there are any others, just reach out and we’ll be happy to help.You can shoot a message over to [email protected]. 

• When do kids start preschool in Denver?

• What’s the difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten?

• Is pre-k mandatory in Denver?

• What are my public school options for early education in Denver?

• What sort of license should I look for at a preschool in Denver?

• How can I get my family financial assistance for child care in Denver? 

When do kids start preschool in Denver?

Most preschools start accepting kids around the age of 2.5 to 3 years old, but since every child is different, this isn’t a magic number. Preschool readiness really depends more on developmental factors than chronological age. Read more in our post here.

What’s the difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten?

Preschool programs are generally for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Pre-kindergarten is for the higher end of that range, usually for children 4 to 5 years old. Pre-kindergarten is generally timed for the school year directly prior to when the child would enroll in kindergarten. Many pre-kindergartens are also usually attached to elementary schools, so families have a smooth transition to enroll in kindergarten the next year.

Is pre-k mandatory in Denver?

No, pre-kindergarten is not mandatory in Colorado and is not a prerequisite for kindergarten. You can read more here from the Colorado Department of Education.

What are my public school options for early education in Denver?

Denver Public Schools (DPS) offers quality half-day and full-day preschool/pre-k for all 4-year-olds (regardless of income) across 80 DPS schools. If your little one turns 4 on or before October 1, they’re eligible. Tuition credits are offered to all families, on a sliding scale based on income. See the tuition rates here in English, and here in Spanish.  Check out instructions to apply here. For 3-year-olds, there is a pilot program at certain DPS schools, and enrollment is not guaranteed. You can learn more here. 

What sort of license should I look for at a preschool in Denver?

Denver preschools are required to hold a child care license and are regulated by the Colorado Department of Human Services, ensuring that they meet the required health and safety standards. There are some exemptions, though, and you can see them all listed here.

How can I get my family financial assistance for child care in Denver?

Paying for child care is expensive, and Denver does provide options for families to receive financial assistance for care. You can apply for assistance through the Denver city government child care website, found here. There are income eligibility requirements that you can see on the website. For example, for a family of 4, if your gross income (before taxes and deductions) is $4,968.75 or less, you’ll qualify.  

If you have a 4-year-old that is heading to preschool, you need to check out the Denver Preschool Program (DPP), which is a nonprofit organization under a contract with the City and County of Denver that is funded by a sales tax. If you live in the city/county, and have a 4-year old, you’re eligible for a tuition credit no matter your income; to see how much you qualify for, check out their calculator here.

If you have a 3-year-old, DPP is piloting a similar program, but there are income eligibility requirements. Check out their eligibility requirements and calculator here.

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The United States Is Far Behind Other Countries on Pre-K

See also: Infographic: We’re Getting Beat on Preschool; Interactive Map: The United States Is Getting Beat on Preschool

Early childhood education and school readiness is essential to preparing our children to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy. Compared to other countries, however, the United States lags far behind on preschool, trailing a number of other countries in enrollment, investment, and quality.

In February 2013, however, President Barack Obama put forth a bold plan to significantly expand access to preschool. His plan would invest $75 billion in high-quality preschool, helping our nation catch up with other countries.

The numbers below show how far behind the United States is on preschool and make it evident that we need to implement the president’s plan. If the United States is to train a world-class workforce, we have to catch up to the rest of the world on pre-K.

Today: We’re far behind

To put it plainly, the United States is getting beat when it comes to preschool. On almost every element, the United States ranks behind most of the other countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD. We rank:

• 26th in preschool participation for 4-year-olds
• 24th in preschool participation for 3-year-olds
• 22nd in the typical age that children begin early childhood-education programs
• 15th in teacher-to-child ratio in early childhood-education programs
• 21st in total investment in early childhood education relative to country wealth

These rankings do not befit the United States. Given the importance of early childhood education to future student success, the United States must take these rankings seriously. We need to do better.

Preschool participation

The United States has a large preschool access gap. Only 69 percent of 4-year-old American children are enrolled in early childhood education. We rank 26th in access to preschool for 4-year-olds and 24th on access for 3-year-olds.

Moreover, top-performing countries are outpacing the United States in preschool participation for 4-year-olds. Japan, which outperformed the United States by more than 40 points on the most recent international test of fourth-grade math, enrolls nearly all of its 4-year-olds in preschool. Our close ally the United Kingdom also enrolls at least 97 percent of its 4-year-olds in preschool.

Even some countries that don’t top the global rankings on international achievement tests are outperforming the United States in preschool enrollment. Mexico, our neighbor to the south, may need to improve preschool quality, for example, but it has committed to enrolling nearly 100 percent of its 4-year-olds in preschool. What’s more, Mexico is accomplishing this despite being significantly poorer than the United States: Its per-capita gross domestic product, or GDP, is less than a third of ours.

The story is similar for 3-year-olds. Seven countries including France, Norway, and Italy ensure that at least 90 percent of all 3-year-olds have access to preschool. In the United States that number is barely 50 percent.

The age children start preschool

Even when children do attend preschool in the United States, they usually don’t start until age 4. Most children in OECD countries, however, begin early childhood education much earlier. Denmark typically enrolls children from age 1, and Belgium at about age 2 and a half. In fact, children in most OECD countries—including those in Estonia, Japan, and Poland—begin preschool by at least age 3.

Teacher-to-child ratios

The ratio of teachers to children is a key element of preschool quality. Academic powerhouse Finland has a teacher-to-child ratio of 1 to 11 in their early education programs, besting the United States’ average of 1 to 15 and demonstrating its strong commitment to providing high-quality preschool. Sweden and Estonia both have a ratio of 1 to 6, the best among all countries.

Investment

The United States underinvests in preschool compared to most countries. Public and private spending on preschool in the United States amounts to only 0.4 percent of our GDP, while Denmark, Spain, and Israel each spend at least 0.9 percent. Increasing spending on preschool to even 0.6 percent of our GDP, which would put us on par with countries such as Germany and Poland, would result in an additional $30 billion per year in early childhood education. This would be more than enough to enroll all 3- and 4-year-olds in high-quality preschool.

Although Russia is not an OECD member, the United States should take notice of its preschool commitment, especially since Russia has leap-frogged the United States on fourth-grade reading over the past decade. After trailing the United States by 14 points on the 2001 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, or PIRLS, for fourth-grade reading, Russia surpassed the United States by more than 10 points in 2011.

Russia enrolls 75 percent of its 4-year-olds in preschool, spending about 0.9 percent of its GDP on early childhood education altogether. This would tie Russia for third among OECD countries if it were a member.

In terms of per-student expenditures, Luxembourg leads the pack, spending more than $16,000 per child. Italy and Sweden, which both have programs that are almost entirely publicly funded, spend more than $6,500 per child. According to the OECD, the average per-pupil expenditure in the United States is about $8,400; this includes, however, both privately and publicly funded programs. Expenditures for federally funded Head Start programs, which provide more than just preschool services, are approximately the same amount per pupil—$8,369 in 2009—although Head Start reaches a very small share of U.S. children. The majority of children in publicly funded programs are in state-funded preschool programs, where expenditures average only $4,143 per pupil.

Why do these numbers matter?

Studies show that high-quality early childhood education can significantly improve a child’s preliteracy, prewriting, and premath skills. Children in Tennessee’s state-funded pre-K program, for example, saw a 75 percent improvement in letter-word identification, a 152 percent improvement in oral comprehension, a 176 percent improvement in picture vocabulary, and a 63 percent improvement in quantitative concepts, compared to children not in pre-K.

These vital skills have been linked to third-grade reading achievement—a predictor of high school graduation—and to success in math in secondary school and later in life. School readiness and the skills gained from high-quality early childhood education are essential to educating a strong workforce that is able to successfully compete in the global economy. And yet the United States is behind in every category of preschool.

Future: Without investment, we’ll fall further behind

Things may only get worse for the United States. Rising superpowers India and China are making serious and significant commitments to expand access to early childhood education over the next few decades. In a report released last year, “The Competition that Really Matters,” CAP outlined China’s and India’s commitments:

By 2020, China will increase preschool enrollment by 50 percent, providing access to 40 million children. This access will include 3 years of preschool for 70 percent of all children in China and at least two years to 80 percent of 3 and 4 year olds.

By 2018, India will raise the percent of children who are ready for school from 26 to 60, for a total of about 19 million children school ready. The preschool system already reaches 38 million children under six.

Commitments such as China’s and India’s are neither unrealistic nor exceptional. More than a decade ago, the British government pledged to provide universal preschool to every child between the ages of 3 and 5, and it has achieved that goal. Mexico similarly committed to expanding its early childhood-education enrollment, increasing its participation by almost 30 percent over the past eight years.

The United States is in a race to educate a globally competitive workforce—one that is needed to keep our economy strong and booming. As we wrote in the aforementioned report, “intellectual and innovative superiority” will rule the day. We can continue to lead on that front by making a significant investment in education, or we can instead allow ourselves to fall further behind.

Conclusion

High-quality preschool is critically important for building a globally competitive workforce. Yet our numbers are not impressive. We lag behind other countries in access, quality, and investment. We are getting beat by top-performing countries whose commitment to preschool helps propel them forward, as well as by countries we usually do not expect to see ahead of us in rankings. Meanwhile, China and India are racing ahead to improve their student achievement and are making the necessary commitments to do so.

The United States has a lot to do to catch up to the rest of the world on early childhood education. Increased investments in high-quality preschool education for all children, regardless of income, will put us more in line with the rest of the world, help keep us on track with China and India, and ensure school readiness for our most at-risk children.

Juliana Herman is a Policy Analyst with the Education Policy team at the Center for American Progress. Sasha Post is Special Advisor to CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden. Scott O’Halloran was an intern with the Education team at the Center.

Department of preschool education on D. Bednogo – School No. 619

Kindergarten – department of preschool education School No. 619 is a modern educational preschool institution, a wonderful teaching staff, as well as a cozy building. 32 teachers and specialists work with children, 25 of them have higher education, 7 people have specialized secondary education. The highest qualification category was assigned to 12 teachers, 20 people have the first qualification category; 1 person was awarded the title “Excellent worker of public education”, 1 person was awarded the badge “For the humanization of the school of St. Petersburg”, 1 person was awarded the title “Best in profession” in St. Children from 2 to 7 years old are brought up here.

There are 11 age groups in the pre-school education department of the School:

– 2 groups – 1st junior – for children 2-3 years old
– 2 groups – 2nd junior – for children 3-4 years old
– 2 groups – middle – for children 4-5 years old
– 2 groups – senior – for children 5-6 years old
– 2 groups – preparatory – for children 6-7 years old
– 1 group – short stay – for children 2-3 years old

The possibility of creativity, the joy of communication, interesting activities, caring educators and their assistants, talented teachers, comfortable conditions, modern equipment, smart and necessary toys, delicious food, fun holidays, active outdoor games – thanks to this, children feel at home here. . The department has a system of additional education. Children are happy to attend classes in fine arts, English, developing computer games, Lego design and robotics, and also study with a speech therapist and psychologist teacher.
Children’s meals are organized in accordance with the requirements of the guaranteed food system in preschool institutions in St. Petersburg. Great attention is paid to the preservation and strengthening of children’s health, therefore, the daily regimen is strictly observed, nutrition quality is monitored (food regimen: 4 meals a day (breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, hot afternoon snack)) and sanitary and hygienic conditions, on a contractual basis therapeutic and preventive measures are carried out: aromatherapy, wellness massage; health-improving events: various types of gymnastics, health days, sports and physical culture holidays, physical education classes in the gym and outdoors, elementary hardening, outdoor games and much more.
Important tasks facing the staff of the preschool education department are motivating children to learn and be creative, unlocking their potential and helping to develop their individuality. The solution of these problems becomes possible due to the use of gaming technologies, the existence of a unified educational environment and the formation of individual educational routes.
The main goal of the kindergarten as a structural unit of School No. 619 is the development and upbringing of preschool children, taking into account their state of health and the characteristics of the social situation of development in order to continue their successful education at school. To this end, a succession program is in place, thanks to which the unity of the educational process in kindergarten and primary school is ensured.

• Advice Center
• Questionnaire of satisfaction of parents (legal representatives) with the quality of services provided in the counseling center
• Advice for Parents
• Materials of the regional methodical association
• Analysis of satisfaction with the quality of education in the Preschool Department of School No. 619

Number of preschoolers in Russia

And where parents prefer to send preschoolers

Sergei Antonov

went to kindergarten from the age of three

Author profile

Two-thirds of Russians recommend that fellow citizens who do not experience financial difficulties send their small children to kindergarten.

Another 27% advise to shift education to grandparents, only 3% to a nanny, 4% found it difficult to answer. Kindergartens still remain the main form of arrangement for preschoolers, but not for everyone. We looked at the statistics and found out how many little Russians attend kindergartens and why some parents are in no hurry to send their children there.

According to Rosstat, in 2021 there were 11.1 million preschoolers in the country — this category of statistics includes children from 3 to 8 years old. It is clear that some of the children here are already schoolchildren – we are talking primarily about those who are over 7 years old. But in the course of studies that relate to preschool age, experts also take into account seven-eight-year-olds.

How many preschoolers were there in Russia in 2021

3 years old

Girls

798 082

Boys

846 495

Girls

9000 868 702

Boys

917 850

Girls

929 409

Boys

982 215

Girls

942 274

996 9000

Girls

937 039

Boys

989 765

Girls

5 414 865

Boys

5 725 656

005

In 2021, 64. 5% of children attended pre-school educational organizations – private and public. Another 26.2% were already in school – these are most likely the same seven- and eight-year-olds. 0.2% are children who are not yet ready to be taken to kindergarten due to their age.

Attendance at preschool educational institutions by children aged 3-8, RosstatXLSX, 23.7 KB

9.1% of Russians aged 3-8 did not go to kindergartens. It turns out that a little more than 1 million Russians of this age do not attend any educational institutions.

Source: Rosstat Source: Rosstat

The most common reason has nothing to do with queues for kindergartens: more than half of parents whose children stay at home believe that home education is better. According to Rosstat surveys, 57.4% of those whose children under the age of 8 do not attend either school or kindergarten think so. However, the parents of 9% of preschool children complain about the lack of places in kindergartens – we are talking about about 90 thousand children.