The word cr che is used not only in French-speaking places, but in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Israel, Russia, and Poland and other Eastern European countries as well. The age range for children in nursery schools also varies from country to country. In Sweden, for instance, all children from the age of 3 months until they enter kindergarten at age 5 are admitted. In English-speaking countries, nursery schools include all children up to kindergarten age. In Italy, children go from the maternal school into first grade instead of kindergarten.
Some countries also provide schools for special education problems among very young children.
Germany has the Schulkindergarten, or school kindergarten, for children who are considered less mature than others of their age. It serves as a preparatory school for first grade. In Russia there are sanatorium kindergartens for children who are physically handicapped or recuperating from illnesses. The United States has government-supported kindergartens for children who are physically or mentally handicapped. Although the objectives and methods of preschool education vary from country to country, there is general agreement that nursery schools and kindergartens are very useful steps in the education of children.