Finding Nurseries
I didn’t know we had so many nurseries in Kuwait until I started looking for one. Many are homes turned into nurseries. You’ll be happy to know you’ll never get lost on your mission to finding the right nursery for your kid. We didn’t even make a list of nurseries or plan anything, we just drove about and found so many nursery ads on our way, only problem they were all in Arabic. So anyways all we had to do is find one of those ads, call them up for their address and head there. Â
We didn’t wake up early as planned but I thought we still had a shot as we left home at 1 pm. Some were super fancy and some were just dull which all made our choice a very tough one and because I’ll be the one dropping and picking up Hassan I needed a nursery that fits with my working schedule.Â
First place we checked out was Little Steps in Mishref. I didn’t like it at all, too many steps in wrong places and bulky corners meaning a guaranteed injury. No meals included and we’d have to pay around 90-110kd per month. I didn’t think the place looked like a nursery at all.
So we left quickly to check another nursery in the same area called Al-Burooj and boy what a very warm welcome we were greeted upon our arrival. It scared me how friendly everyone was yet I didn’t feel the place was right for Hassan even though everything looked amazing inside out and the prices were quite reasonable, still I had my doubts. I wish I took pictures of the place.
Next we headed to Taiba nursery and all I can say I would rather keep my son at home than taking him to this nursery. It looked miserable, at least they were not rip offs like Little Steps and only charged a fee of 60KD per month, meals not included.
After that we got out of Mishref and headed to South Surra where we found another nursery called British International, it was closed at 2 pm sharp, not so convenient with my working times but the security guy said that they’ll be open tomorrow, so we thought we’ll pass by the next day. (We did go there next day and it was okay compared to the others, though I thought their prices were a little over the top).
As we left in search for some other nursery ads on the steets we randomly found one called Universal Cambridge, asked for their address and off we went. I liked the overall look but I hated how they had a flight of steps going up to the play room. I felt so uncomfortable with the thought of kids running up and down those steps, there’s a huge chance that the kids may fall and get seriously hurt. They had an indoor pool which I thought was too deep for two yr olds too. It was out of question not a nursery I want to enroll my toddler in.
At that point I was ready to give up hope. I still had one nursery I liked very much which I checked out with a friend a while back called Marafie nursery in Salmiya, what I liked about them is how flexible they were with everything, I didn’t have any restrictions of payment whatsoever, and they offered healthy meals. They open from 6am-8pm which is perfect if I was a bit late. Nothing I saw today was as impressive as them. Next day I convinced Rami we’d go check it out together, thank God we did because as we were standing at the counter the power went off and I couldn’t bear the heat, neither could Hasson.
The last nursery we checked out was The English Playgroup in Salwa and I have to admit this is how a nursery should look like, turns out they do offer meals for toddlers only, only thing that bothered me was they start at 7:30am and end at 12:45pm, which meant I’ll have an obvious problem with dropping him off and picking him up. I didn’t like their payment plan because it’s not based on monthly payments but yearly and a down payment of 400 KD. It’s not appropriate when it comes to fussy toddlers but worth it looks wise I guess.
In the end I haven’t settled on any of them, I’d like to look around some more before I make my final decision but I like The English Playgroup the most and I’m ready to sacrifice a little of my time too if I had to.
Note:Â all of the nurseries above were bilingual nurseries.
Little Steps (Mishref) costs 90-110 KD per month with the uniform and meals are not included, I don’t advise anybody to take their kids there unless you don’t care whether they learn anything or not, tel: 5375372 or 7117317
Al-Burooj (Mishref) costs 75 KD monthly (special offer), very fancy place but meals are not included, if I didn’t have other options I would take my kid there because of their friendly staff, tel: 5386404 or 7373522
Marafie (Salmiya) costs 85 KD monthly, very flexible with everything, even if you take your kid for one hour or a whole day, it doesn’t matter with them, no restrictions at all, tel: 5613385-5628220-6355349
Taiba (Mishref) costs 6o KD per month, please don’t take your kid to this nursery because there’s nothing there for them, tables with no chairs not even cushions to sit on, tel: 6816134
British International (South Surra) costs 100 KD per month, plus 65 KD open file charges tel: 5030612
Universal Cambridge (South Surra, AlZahra) costs 75 KD per month, and  yearly 700 KD, cool place only thing I disliked were the stairs, tel: 7228489
The English Playgroup (Salwa) costs 75 KD with a 400 KD down payment, tel: 5652457
This entry was posted on Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 at 8:24 am and is filed under Kuwait, School. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:11 am
Nice! I think you were too fast to judge Marafiee Nursary.
They can give you a discount with there price.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:21 am
Hmm… I dunno about nurseries bas why don’t you try Montessori in Salwa, it is expensive though - not as flashy as English Playroup but Hassoun would be speaking English o French later on
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
Ali, it’s not the discount that I’m looking for but it’s rather a place I know that they’ll take good care of my kid in my absence.
Chika, he needs to be potty trained for that nursery (http://www.gulfmontessori.com/procedures.htm)
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:58 am
You should try Twinkle Star nursery in Egaila. It is a new nursery just opened a couple of months ago. My son goes there and he loves it! Its worth a visit.
Twinkle Star Nursery: Egaila. Tel: 7801611
September 2nd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Actually what matters I think are:
1. How clean to reduce risk of infection and convenience of the place. The closer to your work the better option.
2. Staff friendly or not.
3. How easy whether you or they can call if needed.
4. if the baby sleepy..do they have place for babies to sleep. Is it clean.
5. How many babies are registered, the fewer the better care i think.
6. Finally, Check with your working place if they have such thing. i thought some working places offer a sort of nursery..not sure.
Mabrook Holy month Ramadan, take care and see you soon Inshallah.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
i went to the english playgroup twenty or so years ago, i remeber very few things about it, but my mom says i had the time of my life
years later we took my little sister and a few years after that my cousins attended
i dont know what their status is now, but we all agreed that they deteriorated over the years, but i do hope they got their act together in the 10 years we havnt been
if your not 100percent satisfied with any of them then look around some more.. fee waayd nursuries around
September 6th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Of all the nurseries u checked I can give u an idea of some—–
Marafie in Salmiya-NO. Very rude staff and location is bad. Just about anyone can get accepted there.
English Playgroup- NO. Looks good but classes are too big and there is no focus on the children.
Taiba- NO! If there are no supplies and no children orientated things around- bad sign!!! Maybe it was opened for pure money making purposes and not for the childrens sake…..
British International- NO! Very unqualified staff.
Little Steps- NO! Dont even get me started…….. its like British International.
Al-Burooj- CONSIDER IT! Not to bad- but dont think about the meals because sometimes he might not like the food, and then he wont eat at all. Bloomingdales in Dasma offer meals to kids and there menu is kid orientated!! i can get u the number…..
November 1st, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I registered my son (2.5 years old) at Bloomingdales more than two months ago…and he STILL cries every single morning! A very bad case of separation anxiety.
At first, he cried the whole time he was there ( which were 2 hours the first week) ,but later on when he started staying for the whole day, he cries in the morning but stops later on.
The staff are nice…his teacher has been very patient with him, which is reassuring to me. But..the school has a strict policy of not letting you enter any of the classrooms during school hours. Parents are only allowed access to the reception area.
I tried talking to him, explaining how fun school can be, I even tried a reward for when he stops crying, etc..but nothing works
Any suggestions?
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Rawan, my son cries every morning and when I tell him: “it’s time for school” he replies: “mabeee.”
November 5th, 2007 at 5:53 am
thanks for the information,
I am currently in USA and planning to go back to kuwait in Dec.
I have a 2 year old who has been going to daycare in USA since she was 3 months old, and she still cries in the mornings (does not want to enter the school) but when its time to pick her up she cries and shoves me because she does not want to leave school!
I have a question, does anyone now if nurseries accept students in Dec/jan? or must i have registered in Sept?
November 5th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
It really depends on the nursery some accept kids all year round while others don’t so you’ll have to check with them first. I’m sure there are exceptions.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Pearls, I think “mabee” is heard every single morning, in every kuwaiti home with a toddler!!
Today, the nursey took him to the Circus in Shaab park..he was very happy at the end of the day. He even turned around in the car to say “this is MY school”. You have no idea how happy I felt…that is until he said “mama..I cried in the bus” !!!
December 17th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
where in salmiya is marafie? can i please get directions on how to go there (i’m very near sultan center in salmiya). my son goes to happy chappies in fintas. It’s a really good school and my son and i like it very much. the only problem is the location (fintas), very far from where we live and they only have classes until the kids are 4years old and then you have to transfer them to another school.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:48 am
choco, give them a call on: 5613385-5628220-6355349. Good luck
March 6th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Pearls,
Thanks for the information about nurseries. I am new in Kuwait and about to start a new job. I also heard about marafie nursery from some friends. But, my son is 14 months old. Do you think they are capable of handling this young age? what other nurseries for young ages?
March 19th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Hello there
I have been reading your posts on Nurseries and I have been trying to call the Universal Cambridge on 7228489 but its not working, did you ever have another number for them??
June 8th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
check out ‘baby of mine childcare’ in Mangaf. That lady just started this year and she takes only restricted number of kids, which I liked best. Also my 2.5 year old needs education with activity, and not only education. Call ‘em, hope u wont be dissappointed. Baby Of Mine - 7005485
June 9th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Zee, I don’t have another number. Try 101, they might have their new number or wait until registration opens (around now and next month) and they’ll have signs all over the place. If you’re so desperate go around south surra, you’ll definitely find a nursery every 100 metres you take. I saw a huge nursery sign in bayan yesterday. I didn’t get the name of the nursery though. I should check it out sometime. I’m guessing it’s marafie nursery but I’m not a fan of them.
Rahila, I’ve already found another nursery closer to home. Mangaf is a bit too far for us but I might consider it if they had Arabic.
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
can i have the phone for happy land fun school
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Hi, my name is sali and I have a daughter almost 2 years (she was born 31 August), I had her enrolled at flex nursery close to my work, but the crazy management kicked my girls teacher due to the number of student decreased in the month of June, they didn’t care that the kids got used to the teachers around them and now she is only playing with the child minders (Pilipino staff),
if possible I need your advice, or direction on what’s best, I work in Kuwait city Sharq area, I finish work 2:30 I could ditch work earlier by 10 or 15 min to pick up my girl, the question do u know any nurseries located in Kuwait city, or another option could be: I live in Salwa Area, (rush hour is the same time) therefore I would arrive between 2:30-3:00, and I just called play group the told me that maximum she could stay till 2:00 please revert back if your can
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 pm
raih, Happyland Funskool tel: 5624956
Sali, there’s not much you can do about it because most kids are on vacation and not many enroll in the summer, same applies to my son’s nursery. Many of the kids are off on their summer vacation. That’s why I’ve decided not enroll my son for the summer. I don’t know of many nurseries that are open at 2-3pm other than Marafie and I don’t recommend them.
I don’t see why you should change her nursery esp if she likes it there, unless you feel she hates it then you better find her another place. If she doesn’t complain just leave her there. Remember kids need to feel safe. If you move her from one nursery to another she might feel scared or abandoned.
Please let me know more about Flex nursery, their number and location, thanks.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Thanks for the phone #
June 24th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hi Pearls,
I checked everything that U shared here. It’s so great! Especially Ur C-X experienced, just similar like mine. I delivered my daughter by C-X on 08/08/2005.
My daughter will be 3 years old in less than 2 months & I’m still searching for the right child care/ preschool/ nursery.
BTW, I’m living in Mangaf. I’ve checked some nurseries around Mangaf, but all of them are just some apartments converted to be a nursery & the worse thing is they converted the living room to be a nursery! All activities only in one room….??
I’ll start to work after this summer holiday in Ahmadi from 7am to 3pm.
So, Do U know some child care/ preschool/nursery around Mangaf or Ahmadi? Any suggestion?
Thanks
June 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
There is a new nursery called “little land nursery and Montessori” in Faiha Montessori is for the older kids it is very clean and very safe they take from 1.5 yrs- 4 or 4.5 years old you can check out their website
http://www.littlelandq8.com
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Pearls,
Your posts on the nurseries was very informative. Thank You. I’d like to know if your are aware of any nurseries which are open during the summer. That is July-Aug.
Thanks once again Pearl.
-Strawberry,I am looking for travel time of within 10 minutes from Fahaheel/Mangaf area. So if strawberry has found any , the information would be greatly helpful to me.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
i read above all the comments of the nurseries,i live in fintas and there is happy chappies nursuery which is nice but very expensive too.
I am looking for a good nursery to be also approbriate with my work schedule,it will be from 7 a.m to 4 p.m , i need the nursery to be near my home and with approbriate time with my job and with good price.
can anyone help me please as soon as possible?
July 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Twinkle Star English Nursery and Pre-school is opened all summer till 21st August.It is owned by 2 ladies from Scotland who have both been teaching for over 20 years. Lots of activities and fun for the kids. its in Egaila block 1 street 125 house number 81. Telephone 7801611
July 11th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
My daughter is in Twinkle Star Summer School, she is having a great time with all the activities they provide, am planning on registering her for September. Worth a look.
July 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
dessertblogger, these are nurseries around Mangaf/Fahaheel:
Danyaal.childcare
High quality preschool and baby care available in Mangaf from 20th of May. Our usual fee is KD.40 per month for 4hrs x 5 days a week for play school;
child and baby care KD.50 for 8 hrs or KD. 0.500 per hr for add hrs.
Fresh/hot meals, pick up/drop off can be arranged.
We take in only limited number of children to be able to provide personal attention at all times.
Contact danyaal.childcare@gmail.com with your questions and to register.
Baby Of Mine Childcare
Daycare available for babies and children in Mangaf, Kuwait. Please feel free to call 7005485 between 12 noon and 4pm.
Jack in The Box Nursery (3725511)
Sunrise Nursery (3723504)
AL-FAHAHEEL MODEL NURSERY (3721077)
AL-FAJER NURSERY (3710200)
THE ENGLISH PLAYGROUP (3721960)
July 12th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
desertblogger,
sorry, there’s another nursery in Mangaf called Bud & Blossom
contact person: Indo/ Uma (6763259)
good luck…
July 13th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Thanks strawberry for this information.
I went already to baby of mine,the owner of the villa is a nice lady and i think that yousef will be happy if he go there but i read your comments about other nurseries today so i think i have to check them first before taking a decision.
Do you have anu idea if Bud and Blossom and danyal child care is nice or no?
waiting for your feadback
July 14th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
The British Playhouse is opening in september 2008 . it’s in Mangaf ,
all staff are british , call them and go have a look at it belive me you will love it , i think they are going to have mum’s and todds soo soon
call:4411783
or 6053941
July 18th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Hi,
Thank you very much for these pieces of information. They are very helpful for parents who are not in Kuwait. I have a 4-month baby and would like to know whether there is a child care that admits young babies. Thanks.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Om Yousef,
Actually, Danyaal & Baby of Mine Child Care are the same. I sent eMail to Danyaal Child Care, but dunno why Child of Mine who’s replied.
I checked Bud & Blossoms Nursery. The lady is nice & friendly, the cost is cheap
(25KD a month for 6:30am-12pm & 30KD for 6:30am - 3:30pm). The only thing is all activities only in their converted living room to be a nursery.
I think Baby of Mine Child Care is better.
July 20th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I’m a working mom need a day care for my Daughter from 8am till 8pm including everything , I want to know the fees for this procedure.Thank you
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Rima, where do U live?
Last time Pearls said that Marafie nursery in Salmiya is flexible with everything, they don’t have any restrictions of payment whatsoever, and they offered healthy meals. They open from 6am-8pm
Marafie (Salmiya) costs 85 KD monthly, very flexible with everything, even if you take your kid for one hour or a whole day, it doesn’t matter with them, no restrictions at all, tel: 5613385-5628220-6355349
So, if U live close to Salmiya, Marifie Nursery would be a good choice.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Twinkle Star just off the 209 in Egaila opened last year. It is run by two Scottish ladies and all the staff are British. My son loves it there and it is well equiped and follows all the latest teaching methods from uk. Check it out, it is open all summer.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Hi, I am the manager of Cascade British nursery in Adan. I am a qualified British trained primary school teacher with lots of teaching experience. Also all the teaching staff are British. Our aim is that children come to the nursery and have fun and learn through play and active learning. We have a large garden, which is being redeveloped over the summer, and lots of play and educational toys so that each child enjoys themselves. We take children from 1year to 4.5years and are open from 7a.m. to 5p.m. To find out more about us please check out our website http://www.cascade-kuwait.com. At present we are doing alterations so it will be updated when we have completed them all. Thanks
August 13th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Learning Steps Montessori Nursery is inviting all children age between 1.5- 4.5 for a free afternoon play on every Tuesday and Thursday 4-6pm.
Ageila Block 1, Street 126, Villa 27. You do not need to register to enjoy the facilities, just for fun! Zsofia
http://www.learning-steps.com
tel:674-0637
August 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
the British playhouse is a small and friendly nursery opening in September 2008. we have an open door policy, so feel free to pop in and take a look around. You can visit our website http://www.britishplayhouse.com or call shaima 4411783 or marian 6053941
August 25th, 2008 at 1:26 am
I have read all of the questions and replies about what parents are looking for in a Nursery and my mind boggles as i read them. I understand that there is sometimes a financial issue, but believe me I have been around and checked out a lot of these Nurseries and I cannot understand why they are actually allowed to still be opened. I have a Nursery in Egaila, Twinkle Star and I can assure you the children in our Nursery are very well taken care of as if they were my own children, we don’t supply there food, and the reason for that is every child has there own taste in food, so i think it would be very difficult to feed the same thing to every child Although they do get fresh fruit evey day.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:58 am
I have been teaching for over 20 years and I have seen a lot, I have 5 children of my own and a grandson, so I know what goes on in schools and Nurseries, that is the reason why myself and my partner opened our own nursery, so that we could give lots of love, care and attention to the children that arrive at our Nursery, so please parents think about where you are placing your children, check out staff, how many staff per age group.What activities are available. what is the timetable for Nursery and Kindergaten. Don’t believe all you here or see. Go into the place unanounced to see whats going on as i’m sure sometimes you would be very surprised.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Hello Pearls! Thanks for all the information provided on Nurseries in Kuwait… My son is now 2.4 years old… and I’ve delayed in getting him into a nursery due to the fact that none of their timings go with mine. Marafi in Salmiya sounds good… I will check them out. I’m especially happy about their flexible timings.
Thanks n Cheers!
August 30th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Hi, my son used to go to a nursery in salmiya but it wasnt great, please let me know your thoughts on happy land in salwa as it was recomended to me by some people and thanks
August 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am
my son goes to there. he’s learning a lot. Teachers are very friendly. The owner is always there keeping an eye on everything. you won’t be worrying about your kid getting sick because they only accept restricted numbers of kids. You won’t find lots of facilities though and it’s little expensive. costs 100kd per month, meals included. for now it will do