Little Treehouse Nursery > Blog > Uncategorized > Preschool vs. Kindergarten: Which Should Your Child Attend First? 

Preschool vs. Kindergarten: Which Should Your Child Attend First? 

by @LittleTreehouseBangkok on December 4, 2025
Preschool vs. Kindergarten: Which Should Your Child Attend First?

Have you ever wondered whether your child should start with Preschool or go straight into kindergarten? As parents, this decision can feel overwhelming, especially when exploring options at an international school in Thong Lor. At Little Treehouse Nursery, we understand that early education shapes a child’s confidence, curiosity, and lifelong love for learning. With our nurturing environment and the British Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) Curriculum, we help children grow through play, discovery, and guided exploration. 

What Is the Difference Between Preschool and Kindergarten? 

Preschool introduces children to learning through play, while Kindergarten builds that foundation with more structured lessons. In most international schools, both stages follow the EYFS Curriculum, ensuring consistent learning outcomes. 

  • Preschool: Focuses on social, emotional, and creative development 
  • Kindergarten: Emphasizes literacy, numeracy, independence, and preparation for primary school 

Understanding these differences helps parents decide which stage is appropriate for their child. 

 

How Does the EYFS Curriculum Support Early Learning? 

The British Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) Curriculum is widely used in many international schools to guide early childhood education. It encourages children to learn through experience rather than memorization, allowing them to explore and understand the world naturally. The curriculum includes several key areas: 

  • Communication and language development 
  • Personal, social, and emotional growth 
  • Physical and creative development 
  • Early literacy and numeracy concepts 

Through this approach, children develop essential skills that help them transition smoothly from Preschool to Kindergarten programs. 

What Do Children Learn in Preschool? 

In Preschool, learning happens through curiosity-driven activities that build early academic and social skills. It’s a child’s first structured experience in an educational setting, where they learn to work with others and explore their environment safely. Typical Preschool experiences include: 

  • Play-based learning that encourages creativity 
  • Storytelling and music for language development 
  • Simple problem-solving and sensory activities 
  • Group play to build communication and cooperation 

This stage lays the groundwork for the more structured expectations of the kindergarten curriculum. 

What Skills Are Developed in Kindergarten Programs? 

Kindergarten programs introduce more academic preparation while maintaining creativity and social growth in the classroom. Lessons emphasize: 

  • Reading, writing, and early math 
  • Independence, focus, and responsibility 
  • Collaboration and critical thinking 

The EYFS-guided curriculum ensures children are ready for the academic expectations of primary school. 

Why Choose an International Preschool in Thong Lor? 

Choosing an international preschool in Thong Lor provides children with a multicultural learning experience guided by global standards. These schools often emphasize diversity, inclusion, and early exposure to different languages. Many nursery classes in Bangkok integrate the EYFS Curriculum to ensure children gain a solid educational foundation before advancing the kindergarten curriculum. 

How Are Health, Safety, and Sustainability Addressed? 

Health and safety are top priorities in any nursery in Thailand, ensuring young learners have a secure space to grow and explore. At the same time, many international schools in Thong Lor promote sustainability by including eco-friendly practices in daily learning. Activities such as recycling projects or gardening help children understand the importance of caring for the environment from an early age. 

How Can Parents Support a Smooth Transition Between Preschool and Kindergarten? 

A smooth transition builds confidence and ensures children continue developing emotionally and academically. Key strategies include: 

  • Consistency between preschool and kindergarten routines 
  • Encouraging independence and decision-making 
  • Reinforcing skills learned at home alongside school activities 

This continuity helps children adapt quickly to structured learning. 

Why Choose a Preschool in an International School Setting 

At Little Treehouse Nursery, our nursery in Bangkok offers an enriching international environment where children learn through exploration and creativity. Being part of an international school allows children to experience global perspectives while developing essential skills through the EYFS Curriculum. We focus on play-based learning, language development, and emotional growth which are all essential before moving to the kindergarten curriculum. 

Conclusion 

Deciding whether your child should start with Preschool or Kindergarten depends on their readiness and learning style. Preschool focuses on play and social skills, while Kindergarten programs prepare children for structured learning and academic growth. 

At Little Treehouse Nursery, we provide a caring environment guided by the British Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) Curriculum. If you are looking for the right start for your child in Thong Lor, reach out to us today to learn more about our nursery classes and international preschool programs! 

FAQS

Preschool usually comes first, as it helps children prepare for the kindergarten program in international schools in Thong Lor. Starting with preschool builds early social and learning skills essential for the kindergarten curriculum. 

The best age to start preschool is between 2 to 4 years old, allowing children to adjust to structured learning in a nursery in Bangkok. Early enrollment helps children gain confidence and social readiness before starting the kindergarten program. 

Children are most often ready for kindergarten around ages 4 to 5 in an international school in Thong Lor. At this stage, they can follow the kindergarten curriculum and participate actively in classroom learning. 

Starting daycare between 1 and 2 years old can be difficult, as children are still developing independence from parents. A nurturing nursery in Thailand with supportive teachers helps ease this transition through guided nursery classes. 

Yes, sending a 2-year-old to a nursery in Bangkok can be beneficial for developing communication and independence. Early exposure to preschool activities and the EYFS curriculum encourages healthy emotional and cognitive growth. 

Preschool emphasizes structured learning and social interaction, while daycare focuses more on childcare and supervision. Enrolling in an international preschool offers children a balanced start through the kindergarten curriculum and the EYFS framework. 

The healthiest time to begin school is between ages 2 and 4 in preschool, then move to kindergarten around age 5. This timing supports emotional, social, and cognitive development in nursery classes at international schools in Thong Lor. 

The best age to learn a new language is between 2 and 5 years old, during the preschool and kindergarten years. International preschools in Thong Lor offer language-rich classrooms guided by the EYFS curriculum to support early bilingual development. 

Kindergarten and preschool are not the same, as preschool introduces basic learning through play while kindergarten follows a structured curriculum. Both stages complement each other in international schools in Thong Lor to build a strong foundation for future education. 

Daycare is not required before kindergarten, but preschool or nursery classes help children adjust to structured environments. Many nursery programs in Thailand follow the EYFS curriculum, preparing children for the kindergarten program smoothly. 

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