Gaborone - 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?
There are two or three preschools used by most embassy families. People are generally happy with them. Tuition is reasonable. However, they won't necessarily conform to work schedules, so pick up times may be a challenge if you work. We were lucky to find a nanny who is able to drive. - Aug 2024
There is one Montessori school that many Mission kids go to. The proprietor's kids also went there and she is very committed to early education. - Dec 2023
Pre-schools are probably better than other schools! There are many choices and most parents seem happy. Our daughter went to a Montessori school which we loved. Transportation is not provided though - this is a challenge. - Jul 2016
Yes - there are several, including a newish "Montessori" preschool. They are trying, and we've been generally happy with it. Costs are around US$200-300 per month. - Mar 2015
Some. There is a Montessori preschool that seems to be good but I don't have any experience with it. - Oct 2014
Nannies are VERY inexpensive (around US$1-2 an hour), so people with preschool aged children typically have one, making daycare facilities unnecessary. There are several options for preschools, the two most popular among expats and U.S. Embassy families being Humpty Dumpty and Dipeo. - Jul 2013
In home nannies/housekeepers are common. There is also a range of great preschools - Humpty Dumpty seemed to be among the most popular. - Apr 2013
We have two children in preschool in Gaborone and we are extremely happy with the experience. I strongly recommend Humpty Dumpty school, but other friends were very happy with the education at Playmates, Busy Bees, and Dipeo. To my knowledge most preschools here are half-day only (7:30 to 12:30pm) and are 5 days/week. However, there may be some full-day options. Most expat families have live-in nannies, who are able to assist with childcare during school breaks, afternoons, evenings, etc. - Jun 2010
