Infants Guide Hanoi
Daycare/Preschools
In addition to serving as preschools and kindergartens, the following schools offer drop-in play groups for toddlers. Fees vary from $1000-5000/year depending on the package desired, and can be paid in one lump sum or in quarterly installments.
KinderWorld International Kindergarten
3rd Floor, Somerset Hoa Binh Towers (Central Hanoi)
106 Hoang Quoc Viet
Cau Giay District
Tel: +84 4 3755 8186
http://www.kinderworld.net
KinderWorld was established in Singapore in 1986, and the first Hanoi branch was opened in 2000. Parents can choose either international classes taught by an expat teacher or local classes by qualified Vietnamese teachers. The play-based curriculum caters to children from 18 months to 6 years.
Morning Star International Kindergarten
Van Phuc Campus
Van Phuc 4, Van Bao Street
Ba Dinh District
Tel: (84.4) 37261587
E-mail: morningstar@hn.vnn.vn
Tay Ho Campus
No 98, To Ngoc Van Road,
Tay Ho District
Tel: (84.4) 37195115
E-mail: morningstar_tayho@fpt.vn
http://www.morningstarkindergarten.com.vn/
Morning Star is the oldest international kindergarten in Hanoi, and has bright, spacious classrooms with large outdoor play areas. Regular hours for children 18 months to 6 years are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but part-time and half-time schedules are available. They offer a bus service, as well as a weekly mother and baby group (0 to 15 months).
Rainbow School
223 Au Co, Tel: 043 718 1390
http://rainbowpreschool.edu.vn
A small international pre-school and kindergarten for children 15 months to 6 years, with a challenging program based on the English National Curriculum. It aims to provide opportunities for children to succeed in an atmosphere of support and caring, taught by a combination of expat and local teachers. The school year runs August to June, with a seven-week summer program; no part-time options are available.
Mother/toddler groups
The Hanoi International Women’s Group (http://www.hanoi-iwc.com/) holds an informal weekly playgroup for young children every Thursday afternoon from 3:30 pm to 5:00. Parents are welcome, as are nannies filling in for busy/working parents. Venue changes each week.
Please contact Linda Smith at (+84) 977 075 230 or via email at hanoiplaygroup@gmail.com to be added to the email list.
A toddler play group organized through the New Hanoian website meets Tuesday afternoons from 3 to 5 in the Hoan Kiem District, near the center of Hanoi. The group is designed for children one to two years old, with their parents. For the latest information and to contact this group, go to:
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/group/show/44/Play-Group
Family Medical Practice holds new mother classes, guided by a pediatrician, to provide information, support and companionship for pregnant women and mothers of small babies until 6 months of age. These classes are also an opportunity to meet other mothers and babies. Pregnancy, fetal growth, delivery, your infant’s well being during the first month, breastfeeding, sleep issues, infant massage, introduction to solid foods, safety – all of these topics as well as others are discussed with pediatric experts.
Contact by email at: hanoi.pediatrics@vietnammedicalpractice.com or phone Marketing Department at +84 4 3726 5222
http://www.vietnammedicalpractice.com/
Nannies
Vietnamese are wonderful with children, and most expat families with babies or young children hire nannies. Nannies usually take on domestic work such as cooking and cleaning as well, and can be hired as live-in help or daily, part-time helpers. Friends and co-workers are often a good source of recommendations for domestic help. Nannies may be hired part-time for about $2/hour, or full-time for $200-300/month, depending on experience, English level, and responsibilities. If hired privately, they can be paid under the table, but an agency will provide official tax forms. You can also hire a nanny here:
Maid in Vietnam Co., Ltd.
34 Xuan Dieu, Tel: 043 718 3112
http://maidinvietnam.com
