One of the most crucial things for expat families moving to Czechia is making sure their kids get a good early childhood education. There are several kinds of kindergartens in the country, including public schools, private bilingual schools, and foreign schools. Public kindergartens are free and well-liked, however they mostly use Czech, which might be hard for kids who don’t know Czech. Many expat families have chosen private or international kindergartens instead. This is particularly true in Prague and other big cities where there are a lot of English or bilingual programs.
Public vs. private and international kindergartens
In Czechia, public kindergartens are cheap and follow a national curriculum that focusses on play-based learning, creativity, and social development. Czech is the major language of teaching, which may make it tougher for international kids to fit in at first. On the other hand, private and international kindergartens are made especially for multicultural populations. They generally teach in two languages, usually Czech and English, although they may also teach in German, French, or Russian. These schools use worldwide curriculum, including Montessori or the worldwide Baccalaureate (IB) early years program. This makes it easier for kids to migrate to another country and start school there.
Best kindergartens in Prague
Prague is the city and key centre for foreigners, and it features some of the top kindergartens in the nation. Genius Kindergarten offers many places throughout the city where kids may study Czech and English in small groups. The school works to help youngsters be more creative and think critically. EduArt Kindergarten in Prague 4 and Prague 9 is another wonderful option. It is known for its imaginative approach and programs that immerse students in language. Dragon Kindergartens, which located in Prague 6, provide a safe place for youngsters to learn Czech and English while enjoying playing sports and doing other things. Families that wish to thoroughly immerse themselves in English might check out the International Countryside School in Liboc, Prague 6. Sofia School, which has many branches, is highly recommended since it teaches pupils in more than one language and gets them ready for both Czech and international primary schools.
Options not in Prague
Prague boasts the most international and bilingual kindergartens, although expats in other places may still be able to discover decent ones. Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, is seeing an increase in the number of expats living there. It also includes kindergartens that provide English or bilingual programs. Most of the time, these programs are connected to elementary schools in other countries. SmartKids Kindergarten at Karlovy Vary teaches kids in more than one language and focusses on language development, creativity, and the arts. This makes it a wonderful option for families who live there and families who are from other countries. These regional options may be quite helpful for families that wish to learn in an international fashion but still desire smaller, community-based settings.
Key considerations for parents
When choosing a kindergarten in Czechia, expat parents need consider about more than simply the language. The quality of early education relies on elements like the instructors’ qualifications, the staff’s stability, the size of the class, the school’s safety, and the availability of after-school activities. You should also consider about how much tuition will cost. Many families consider that the expense of private and international kindergartens is worth it, even though they are sometimes far more expensive than public ones. It’s also important to be ready ahead of time since reputable schools fill up quickly, and applications might open months in advance.
Conclusion
There are a number of kindergartens in Czechia that are great for expat families since they provide good education and are simple to go to from other countries. By learning the language at public kindergartens, you may learn a lot about Czech culture without spending a lot of money. On the other side, private and international schools provide multilingual or English-speaking environments that make it simpler to go throughout the globe. Genius Kindergarten, EduArt, Dragon Kindergartens, and the International Countryside School are all wonderful options in Prague. Brno and Karlovy Vary are two more locations with decent possibilities. If expat parents pick wisely and sign up early, they may be able to find a kindergarten in Czechia that will help their kids perform well in school and make friends.
You can also view these posts:
Living in Czechia
Traveling to Czechia: Visa requirements
Getting a job as an expat in Czechia
