Nairobi - 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?

Preschools are available and vary in terms of cost and structure. We enrolled our 3 year old in a local preschool but only for a semester, as the school threw in hidden fees and she didn’t seem to be getting much out of the school. Other parents have sent their kids to other preschools that they seemed to like more, but none stood out as exceptional. - Aug 2023


Lots of preschools but more expensive than you would think. For daycare or outside school hours you need to hire a nanny. - Mar 2022


Yes. There are a lot of options, but I don't have kids so I can't speak to this. - Aug 2021


Most folks we know hire full-time nannies to assist with their children. And there's a Montessori school on Gigiri Lane, only about a 1/4 mile from the Embassy if that's your preference. - Dec 2018


If the children are under three it is more common for them to have nannies. There are preschools available, but they are pricey. - Jun 2018


There are many preschools and day care centers. Compared to other places we've lived, the expense is small. Our son attends a Montessori school, MLC, which has classes for kids from 18 months on to 6 years old. The combined total of the school fees and the nanny's salary are less than we'd pay for child care in D.C.

I'm not certain about before and after care, but I would presume that it's not as necessary here with the widely available household help. - Jul 2016


yes - Sep 2015


Yes, there are some very good kindergartens. The one my child attended was about US$1300 per term. - Dec 2014


I believe so. - Jun 2014


Some use Montessori, but I have not heard very good things about it. I know a couple of people who have sent their children to the German school pre-school (they have an English option) and they love it. - Mar 2014


Most families use nannies (ayahs) for daycare but there are several preschools. I was not happy with the preschool situation. AT ALL. There is also a large contingent of home schooled children here. They make the effort to socialize their kids with structured activities. - Jul 2013


There is s great Montessori school next to the embassy -- Gigiri Montessori House. There are lots of other preschools available as well. - Jun 2013


Yes, ample pre-school choices -- including at Rosslyn Academy. Mostly, though, people get nannies for daycare. - Aug 2012


Lots of preschools available. ISK has a very expensive ($7k+) pre-K.Shop around and be prepared to go to interviews. The schools want to see you before they admit your kid. Local prices are about $3k per year. My child is in a local preschool and I have really liked that experience for her. - Dec 2011


Household help / ayahs are easily available. I've heard from others that there are great preschools. - Dec 2011


My youngest attended the Montessori Plus school. She enjoyed her experience and her teacher seemed genuinely interested in her development. - Sep 2011


There are lots of daycares and lots of nannies. - Dec 2010


Several - many excellent. Many Montessori schools from wihch to choose. My daughter attended Kyuna in Westlands and really enjoyed it. - Dec 2009


I don't know of any. Nannies are cheap, and seem to genuinely care for and even love the children they watch. - Jul 2009


Yes plus nanny help is cheap. - Jun 2008


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