Resources for Expatriates With Children in Istanbul
If you are planning on relocating to Istanbul with children, you’ll be happy to know that Turkey is a very child-friendly nation. Children are welcomed wherever they go. You can still see children playing together on the street as we used to in the ’80s and ’90s. Children are considered precious and will always be the center of attention with your new Turkish friends.
Babies and Toddlers in Istanbul
Some areas of Istanbul might prove difficult if pushing a pram as the streets can be narrow and uneven. The traffic and crowds may also prove to be problematic if trying to get around on public transport.
Istanbul has a good selection of reputable kindergartens for the preschoolers. The British International School offers playgroups, preschool, primary school and secondary school, activities and lessons in English.
Mama Montessori caters to children from 6 weeks to 6 years old and all activities are in Turkish and English.
Istanbul International School is another establishment that offers preschool as well as primary and secondary education.
School-age Children
School-age children are well catered for in Istanbul. There are numerous international schools where your children can mix with children of many different nationalities, thus broaden their horizons even more. You can visit the International School Guide for a full list of schools and contact details.
There are also plenty of after-school activities such as dance, music, gymnastics, art and language classes.
Children’s Leisure Time in Istanbul
Outside of school hours, Istanbul is a magical city for children. They will be surrounded by history and colorful culture that warmly welcomes children. Numerous museums, palaces, mosques and art galleries are at your disposal as well as a world quality aquarium. There is Jurassic Land for all the dinosaur-loving juniors which is the largest theme park in Europe. For a complete list of activities especially suitable for children, you can look here.
Baby Sitters and Carers for Expats in Istanbul
If you require a baby sitter for that special night out or if you want some help around the home caring for your children, Istanbul has reputable agencies that can match you with the right person. One such agency which is a worldwide organization and has 5-star reviews is GreatAuPair. Detailed profiles, background checks, references and photos make this a safe and secure service to help you find the right person for your children.
Momcierge is another organization that can provide short term sitters for your children. All of their babysitters go through a strict vetting procedure so that you can be confident your children are in safe hands.
Conclusion
If you’ve decided to relocate to Istanbul with children, you’ll soon realize that Istanbul offers all the services that you were used to at home and so much more.
