Doha - 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?
I know there are several preschools available. - Oct 2023
There are some daycares but most opt to hire a nanny. - Jul 2022
Pre-schools are available and expensive. And Qatar has a law which mandates all children must attend pre-K, which the DOS doesn't cover. Meaning that those with pre-K kids are going out of pocket and shelling out big bucks. - May 2017
Yes but they are very expensive. Good quality, though, they are actually more like schools than just daycares. Space is very limited though, so plan far ahead to get your kid in. Also there are weird rules in Qatar now about not allowing kids in nursery school past age 4 (as in literally the day they turn 4 they get kicked out) so there are big issues with gaps in childcare for kids who turn 4 before they start kindergarten. - Feb 2015
I am not sure, but they must be good. - Jun 2011
Most everyone has a nanny/maid. Most everyone also sends their kids to a preschool -- or nursery, as they are called. For kids 4 yrs and above, ASD (American School) has a nursery. Park House, CESK, and DESS (English schools) also have great nursery programs for kids 3-5 yrs. All are very good. For the younger ones, there is a slew of nurseries, but only a few are worth mentioning: Appletree, Starfish, Tots' Corner, and Rising Stars. All have LONG waiting lists and are expensive. - Oct 2010
Nannies are available if needed. Sponsorship is required. Most are from the Phillipines. - Dec 2009
