Kindergarten is a precursor to school. The children play a lot; they paint, sing, dance, do craft activities and are given short lessons by the kindergarten staff. Sometimes the children play on their own or with other children; sometimes they play with guidance from the kindergarten teachers.

The play and lessons teach the children important skills that will be very useful to them in school and later life – how to listen, express themselves, to stick at a job or a game for an extended period, to concentrate, to plan independently and make decisions. They also learn to get on with adults and other children and to respect common rules. These skills mean the children will have a good chance of being successful at school.