In North America and some parts of Australia kindergarten is the first year of school .
In the United States and anglophone Canada , as well as in parts of Australia ( New South Wales , Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory ) kindergarten is the word often restricted in use to describe the first year of education , or primary school . In some of these countries it is compulsory , that is parents must send children to their kindergarten year ( generally , at age 5 ) .