Expats infants guide
Childrens attend “nursery” from 3 years to 4 years, LKG (lower kindergarten) from 4 to 5 and UKG (upper kindergarten) from 5 to 6 years old. Nursery and LKG are what we call “pre-school” in the US, and UKG is plain old Kindergarten. At 6, everyone goes to first grade (some schools call it first standard).
Preschools and Daycare
There are many excellent preschools and daycares in Bangalore, most of which operate in English. Of course, finding a daycare near your home or office is ideal, so be sure to ask around and check out signboards in your area – daycares are generally well marked. Price range is roughly Rs. 3000-5000 per month for the non-curriculum options, and Rs. 5000-8000 per month for the daycares with accredited international curriculums. Some to consider include:
- Child-Care Montessori http://www.child-caremontessori.com/: This centre combines traditional daycare services with Montessori schooling. Whether you have an infant, toddler or pre-schooler, Child-Care Montessori has a program customized for you and your child.
- Teddies Daycare and Activity Centre (Whitefield) (Tel. 9900888211): Open Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, this centre is 2000 sq ft in a sweet duplex house.
- Sparrows http://www.sparrowsschool.com: Full-day daycare programs following US Standard Infant and Toddler Curriculums.
- The Little Crest http://www.thelittlecrest.com/: Another daycare centre that is open six days a week. It has many branches so you can opt for the one that is closest to your home. (Vidyaranyapura 23644236) (Bannergatta Road 41311872) Basaveswara Nagar [Phone: 9900837378 Vijaynagar – [Phone: 9341259623]
- Gaia Preschool (RT Nagar ): http://www.gaiapreschool.com/
- Neev (Indiranagar/Whitefield): http://www.neevschools.com
- Kara4 Kids http://www.kara.in: has three branches in Bangalore.
Mother and Toddler Groups
Mother and toddler groups are a new phenomenon in Bangalore, however, expats and NRIs (non-resident Indians) have begun such initiatives. One good option for meeting fellow expats is to join the Overseas Women’s Club (OWC) of Bangalore, which organises play group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the homes of other OWC members. http://www.owcbangalore.org/
Another great resource for finding parents with common interests is to check in with Parent Tree, a forum for parents in Bangalore, with posts for toddler groups: http://www.parentree.in/tag/toddler-group.
Nannies
Hiring a nanny is the most popular option among expats and middle-class local families, though of course selecting an appropriate one can be tough. Live-in, live-out and part-time nannies are all possible options. There are agencies that provide services to meet your needs and do thorough background checks, though it’s best to ask around for known recommendations. See the Babysitting and Domestic Help sections for agencies, pricing and other resources relating to hiring a nanny.
