An informal list of Beijing nursery schools, kindergartens and play groups recommended by expat parents, several of which have more than one campus.
NB: We don't necessarily visit playschools, nurseries or kindergartens and definitely don't look at them as thoroughly as we do primary and secondary schools. We only include them as a section of a full GSGI write-up if they are part of a primary or K-12 school (schools with basic entries or full write-ups are highlighted in red).
However, these are amongst the ones in Beijing recommended or mentioned by parents. We list them here just to give you a place to start, to help you make up your own short list.
We always appreciate any feedback from parents (contact us), and we'll remove schools or add them as we hear about them or receive updates, even from this informal list.
Beanstalk International Kindergarten
No.1 Shunhuang Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 5130 7951
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bibs.com.cn
IPC/ Bilingual/ Chinese; ages 2 to 6
The Beanstalk Education Group, founded in 1998, now runs nine kindergartens in Beijing.They operate three parallel curriculums, the International Primary Curriculum, a bilingual curriculum and the Chinese National Education Outline Curriculum. The children are mainly Chinese but some of the teachers come from different nationalities.
Etonkids International Kindergarten (Lido campus)
Building 302, Unit B, FL5, Startup Park, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 400 818 9098
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.en.etonkids.com
Montessori based; ages 18 months to 6 years
The first international kindergarten in China, opened in 1987 as Lido Kindergarten, but taken over by Etonkids International School in 2003. Offers three programmes, one taught entirely in English, a bilingual programme, taught 70% in English and 30% in Chinese and a separate one aimed at Chinese families. They also run kindergartens on other campuses around Beijing.
Ivy Academy Beijing
No.13, Sanlitun East 4th Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 8532 6325
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ivyschools.com
Adapted; ages 2 to 6
The first (opened in 2004) and largest (120 pupils) of three Ivy Academy schools. An English-speaking (teachers all native speakers) environment, offering a Multiple Intelligence theory developed at Harvard with a customised set of activities for each child. Children of different nationalities from across the globe attend as well as those from local Chinese families.
International Montessori School of Beijing
Building No.8, 2a Xiang Jiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 6432 8228
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.msb.edu.cn
Montessori; ages 6 months to 14 years
Opened in 1990, as a tiny school in the Norwegian Embassy and now grown into a school catering for 400 pupils, it is in the process of expanding upwards into a pioneering middle school. On a purpose-built campus, on the border of Chaoyang and Shunyi districts, complete with six playgrounds and a brand-new athletics complex. The school only employs Montessori-trained teachers and the students come from over 20 different nationalities.
Mammolina Children’s Home
36 Maquanying Siqu, Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 8470 5128
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mammolina.cn
Montessori; ages 1 to 7
Opened in September 2005. Offers a bilingual Montessori English - Chinese, infant-toddler and kindergarten programme to 75 children (Chinese and foreign nationals), taught by experienced teachers.
Muffy's International Kindergarten
Beixiaohe Parkside, Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 400 881 6615
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mik-kids.com/en
Adapted, based on the Multiple Intelligences Theory; ages 2 yrs 6 months to 6 years
An English immersion kindergarten taught mainly by foreign nationals on three different campuses. Now one of the larger kindergarten groups with 700 children attending but the teacher:student ration is still stated as 1:5.
The Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten (Central Park International Campus)
103, Tower 8, Central Park, Chaoyangmenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 6505 6147
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.montessoribeijing.com
Montessori; ages 4 months to 6 years
Established in 1992 as the first Montessori kindergarten in Beijing. Offers full English and bilingual (instruction in Chinese but English-speaking assistants in each class) Montessori programmes to more than 300 children on three campuses. Indoor and outdoor playgrounds and even a mini golf course.
3E International Kindergarten (Lido Campus)
No.9-1 Side Park, Jiang Tai Xi Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016
Tel: +86 10 6437 3344
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.3einternationalschool.org
Adapted bilingual; ages 2 to 12
The nursery and kindergarten campus of 3e International School, which also has a separate elementary school in Chaoyang. Teaches a 50/50, English/Chinese dual immersion programme to children from over 20 different nationalities.
