What age should a child be to enroll in preschool?

In general, preschools accept children as young as the age of 2 1/2, but the appropriate enrollment age differs depending on the child's development. A child who is ready to be enrolled in preschool should be able to participate in a structured education program alongside other children.

The readiness of a child to enter preschool is determined by his stage of development in emotional, physical, social and cognitive areas. One of the indicators that a child is ready is that he has a certain level of ability to meet his own basic needs in an independent way. For a more informed decision, parents should consult a child's doctor, caregiver and each other to determine the child's readiness.