Guangzhou - 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?
Not many English-language preschools are available. One that many expats used closed down just as COVID restrictions ended and many were forced to hire a nanny for care. Can't speak to quality. - Apr 2023
There are a few. They are not cheap but they are really good quality. A lot of people like Playschool and Springfield. Springfield is a Chinese curriculum, whereas Playschool is where most expats send their children. It is supposedly bilingual, but the American kids generally speak very little Chinese. - Aug 2021
Our daughter initially attended pre-school at Playschool inside the Ascott hotel. It was excellent with plenty of activities and learning opportunities. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for. - Nov 2015
Again, no personal experience, but labor in general in China is very inexpensive, and lots of families with young kids had ayis (housekeepers) who cleaned and also looked after their children during the day. These arrangements varied in effectiveness depending on the ayi, obviously, so it's probably a good idea to ask around when you get to post and see if anyone has recommendations. - Aug 2014
Many families with small children have nannies. They are very affordable. - Apr 2013
People with kids seem to be satisfied. Most of them have nannies, which are very inexpensive, - Jan 2013
Preschool and day care are available at Oakwood. Most families hire an ayi (household help) who can double as a nanny. A typical ayi will earn 100 - 125 RMB a day depending on the needs of the family, which works out to about 15 - 20 USD a day. - Jul 2009
Most people hire domestic help to take care of their kids during the day. The going rate is about US$10-15 per day. - Jan 2009
