If you are moving to Vietnam with young children, you might be looking for a safe and nurturing place to look after them whilst you are at work. Some expats prefer to look for a nanny, while others prefer to entrust their children to a nursery or kindergarten.
Your choice might be influenced by your schedule, your child's age, as well as your proximity to local childcare services in Vietnam. It is not difficult to find French or British childcare centers in the country. There are also private international schools where your child can benefit from a familiar education system. Fees for daycare range in daily, monthly or annual costs and can be anywhere from 26 million VND (1,066 USD) to 328 million VND (13,459 USD). You can find these schools by word-of-mouth or online. For all preschool registration, you will need to provide your child's birth certificate, registered household pink book, police check, and potentially a medical check. All documents need to be notarized and translated into English and Vietnamese.
A few recommendations are:
The British International School
- Saigon based
- Enrollment begins at 2 years old
Acacia Hanoi International Nursery & Preschool
- Hanoi based
- Enrollment begins at 18 months
SmartKids International Kindergarten
- Saigon based
- Enrollment begins at 18 months
The education system in Vietnam
Some nurseries, such as Smartkids, cater to children younger than the age of 3. However, the majority are available for children from 3-5 years of age. Education in Vietnam is compulsory from six years of age; however, children are generally enrolled in primary schools when they are five.
Formal education consists of twelve years of basic education, which commences after primary school. The full education system consists of a preschool, primary school, secondary school, high school, and higher education. The main educational aim of Vietnam is to promote the intellectual, physical, and moral development of students while providing a comprehensive education that includes knowledge and skills in various fields. This will all follow the development of students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Your choice of school will depend on your child's social environment. If their socialization begins in a Vietnamese environment, the Vietnamese education system might be more suitable. Otherwise, you can enroll them at an international school. The cost of education will be expensive, and it's important to stay within your family's budget.
Learning in Vietnam
During their early childhood care, your child will grow up in a professional environment with trained and qualified professionals. They will enjoy many activities and learn the English language, numbers, and letters of the alphabet, as well as songs. Occasional outings will also be organized.
Kindergartens and nurseries in Vietnam usually provide breakfast, snacks, and lunches, which are all included in school fees. Many of them also have a security service.
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