Mexico City - Post Report Question and Answers
Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, preschools/daycares are typically around a few hundred USD per month. There are lots of options. - Jul 2023
Not sure, but I know there are schools for young kids. Mixed experiences, I think. - Apr 2021
In researching daycares and preschools before our arrival, we were pleased to see a wide variety. Not only that, but they are also very affordable compared to the US. For example, our younger child attends a Montessori for a full day, and it's about $500/month. We have been very happy with them, in particular their communication with parents. - May 2020
Preschool and daycare are widely available, and to me much affordable than in the US. Our youngest son attends a small daycare/preschool near the embassy for about USD $320 for the entire month, for 9 hours a day 5 days a week. - Apr 2019
Many preschools are available, and they cost between US$300-$500 per month. Finding a preschool that is not like actual school, meaning the kids spend the day doing "sit work" is hard. If you want your preschooler to play more versus doing school work, then you must do a lot research and possibly visit many preschools. - Jun 2018
Preschools in Polanco are widely available, and there are several that people seem to absolutely love. Early childhood education is high quality here. - May 2017
Preschools are available, but many people have nannies. Or a combination of both. No personal experience. - Sep 2016
Yes, lots of affordable options in Polanco - Cadi Kids, Kinder Lighthouse, Aprendo Jugando, Mi Montessori, etc. - May 2016
Our pre-schooler attended Yaxcheel Montessori which I recommend avoiding. Our child was physically hurt here regularly by students in her class. The director's solution was to deny that this was happening (even though it was caught on a video posted on the school's website) and to pressure us to send to our daughter to school 5 days a week instead of 3. The school has more green space than the others I have seen, but is very disorganized and has a lot of turnover with the teachers. In general, costs are about US$200-600 per month depending on the school. Most places will insist on 5 days a week of preschool. If you want part-time care, usually you pay for 5 days and send the child less. Many schools have before- and after-care options. - May 2016
Do not know. We have a full time maid who picks our son up at the bus stop on the days when he has after school activities. - May 2016
There are tons everywhere. Mexicans seem to send their kids to "school" starting from infancy. I think the overall quality is good and many are bilingual, however, one thing to note is that it can be hard to find part-time options. Most preschools want you to send your kid every day. Some will let you send your kid part-time but you still pay the full-time rate. There are a few exceptions but not many. I don't have first-hand experience but I have heard the average price is about US$500 a month. We chose to keep our 1 and 3 year olds home but a good friend who used to teach at aU.S. preschool did a lot of research and said her favorite preschools in Polanco are Kinder Lighthouse and Mi Montessori--if that is helpful to anyone. Alternatively, many families hire a nanny for their children as it is more affordable. - Oct 2014
Lots of options available - I see schools everywhere but no personal experience. - Aug 2014
Many, many, many. In our neighborhood (Polanco) they are seriously every 3 blocks. Some good, some not, but probably no terrible ones. Cost is approximately US$400 per month? More or less. Most schools seem to be 5 days per week, 4-5 hours per day, though I did find a Montessori that would do fewer days if I wanted. Some have lengthy wait lists. Oh, and all have an inscription fee, which is hefty (US$1,000?) so be prepared for that... - Apr 2014
Yes, I saw several around but have no experience with them. The U.S. Embassy has a list of accredited preschools in the city. - Mar 2014
There are many excellent and inexpensive options. Full-time nannies are available, also at reasonable prices. - Jul 2013
Most people would use an in-house nanny. - May 2012
The embassy runs one of their own. - Apr 2011
Lighthouse School is an excellent international preschool in Polanco. The embassy also provides a daycare, but I do not know enough to comment. - Apr 2010
Lots of day care, $500 a month, I took my kid to one in Sanata Fe (La loma) we have great experince. - Feb 2010
Many hire nannies, which are not as cheap as other developing countries, but are still doable. There are different daycares (Mi-kinder in Santa Fe seems good).We used the aftercare at the Embassy (Little Amigos) with good results. - Jan 2010
On our first assignment, my son went to an all Spanish-speaking preschool called La Escuelita which was ran out of a woman's house. Very good school. My children also went to Westhill Preschool which is also very good. No complaints about either preschool. Most mothers are stay at home mothers with domestic help so there is not much of a demand for daycare. - Nov 2008
Plenty available, but it depends if you're particular that it's an English-speaking preschool. - Oct 2008
