The FINANCIAL — Thinking of whether to send your child to kindergarten?
Thinking of whether to send your child to kindergarten?
Think carefully before choosing from the wide variety of offers and prices. Annually it can cost parents from 1,800 GEL to 7,000 GEL to send their child to a private kindergarten, whereas public kindergartens are totally free of charge. The FINANCIAL researched the determining factors behind the average parent’s choice.
“It is recommended to send one’s child to kindergarten from the age of three. At that age a child already requires interaction and communication with other children and is developing in to a member of society, while between the ages of 2-3 the average child goes through a period of solitude,” said Inga Mamuchishvili, Director of paediatric clinic Brother Zubalashvilebi.
“Children who go to kindergarten are more organized, are developing an understanding of time as well as improving their social skills. However if a child does not enjoy going to kindergarten, then their parents should not force them,” added Mamuchishvili.
According to City Hall the maximum number of children allowed per group at public kindergartens is 35, and at day nursery – 25. However private kindergartens generally set a limit of up to 10-12 children per group. At present there are 158 public kindergartens in Tbilisi.
The majority of the kindergartens interviewed by The FINANCIAL set their primary goal as teaching English to the children.
New kindergarten St. George in the Redix district will be hosting its first little guests in the autumn. The kindergarten is designed to receive 72 kids annually with annual payment of 7,000 GEL.
“The interior was designed in line with the ecological and safety norms necessary for children’s health. All the materials and equipment are ecologically clean and brought from Europe.
Moreover, parents will have the possibility to watch their children online during the educational process,” said Sopo Baramidze, Programme Coordinator at St. George kindergarten in Redix district.
At ABC kindergarten parents will also have the possibility to watch their children. However, this is only via recordings. At ABC studies are based on the British ABC programme, with extended English language lessons.
Moreover, children are actively engaged in creating performances and shows. As Lika Kapanadze, Director of ABC, told The FINANCIAL, this year children from ABC participated in the children’s competition in Alania performing a song, and were awarded first place.
The monthly payment for ABC is 230 GEL and if parents wish school transport can be provided for their child.
New kindergarten Busy Bees is completely based on the British State educational programme Every Child Matters. The main aim of this programme is the individual attitude and support of each child.
During the day children have 3 lessons and as well as daily English lessons will be working on six directions, including literature, mathematics, art, general education, social studies and physical exercise.
There will be 12 children in the group and the price for Busy Bees is 230 GEL per month.
The studies at kindergarten Sunshine are based on Zion’s Hill Preschool Programme, focusing on learning Georgian and English languages through the creative exploration of play, art and music. Moreover, the programme includes reading readiness, science, math and social studies.
3 types of programmes have been designed for different age groups at Sunshine. For two year olds the programme is designed to help children become part of a group as well as socialize with their peers. Children learn to use basic art materials, sing songs and explore shapes and colors.
For three year olds more attention is paid to the development of independence, self-discipline and peer cooperation. While for four-five year olds the focus is more on the preschooler period. In addition to music, art, a creative movement, cooking and woodwork lessons children learn English and Georgian languages.
The monthly payment for Sunshine is also 230 GEL.
The cheapest of the private kindergartens is Chveni Ezo, with monthly payment of 200 GEL and with Saturday a working day. Chveni Ezo offers Georgian, English and Russian language programmes as well as mathematics, history and mythology lessons.
