Sunday 4 December 2011

The Bambino's nursery in Kuwait

So we decided not to enroll the Bambino in one of the nurseries frequented by expatriate children here in Kuwait.  We figured that while he is still so young and his mind like a sponge, why not put him in a nursery with Arabic speaking children instead?  So he goes to a private, upscale Kuwaiti nursery.  The children wear uniforms (they're only two years old!).  The teacher-child ratio is one teacher for six children.  The materials are from Neinhuis.  The languages of the classroom are English, Arabic and French.

The nursery being the most "authentic" Montessori nursery in Kuwait (other nurseries in Kuwait call themselves Montessori but are more "Montessori-inspired" than actual Montessori), there are very few "toys" in the classroom.  The closest thing you get to toys are stacking blocks, puzzles and an abacus.  This being the toddler class, these toys are acceptable.



There is a practical life section, which real glass pitchers of water and bowls to practice pouring and transferring with a spoon.



There are also the standard Montessori mathematic and sensorial materials, like the pink tower and the cylinders.  These materials are actually meant for age three and up but the school decided to put them in the toddler room as well.





And here is the Bambino during his adaptation period at the school (no uniform yet - that came a week later).





We recently had parent-teacher interviews.  You read it right - a parent-teacher interview regarding our two-year old child.  Never before have we encountered a nursery that gives parent-teacher interviews for toddlers.  Not that I'm complaining.  It's always fun to hear how my two-year old boy acts at his nursery when we're not there.   Oh, and this "interview" didn't take place at the school, in the classroom, as you would expect them to.  No no.  We received a formal invitation to a tea at the very chichi Le Notre Restaurant and had the interview there.





So far, we're happy with our decision to put him in the posh Kuwaiti nursery.  Now if only I could understand the Bambino when he tries to say something in Arabic!

17 comments:

LWDLIK said...

Looks like a great choice!

LWDLIK said...

May I repost on www.ladieswhodolunchinkuwait.com only there are some mummies out there who also like to think out of the box :OD What's the name of the nursery and do they have a website? Thanks.

The Globetrotter Parent said...

Hi there, I've sent you an email!

Yusra Ahmad said...

Hi there, I've been worrying about good nurseries (or lack there of) in Kuwait, and was wondering f you could let me know which one this is - I have seen several Montessori nurseries but am always skeptical. Thanks!

Alexa said...

Hi! Have been exploring your blog and finding it very helpful! As I am about to enroll my almost 3 year old in nursery, I was wondering if your decision to forgo the BCG vaccine was an issue when entering school? I live in Qatar and have chosen not to give it for the same reasons you have. Thanks!

The Globetrotter Parent said...

Hi there Alexa, there are no obligatory vaccines for nursery in Kuwait, unless the nursery is part of an elementary school, so foregoing the BCG was not a problem. However, for your 3-year old to get *residency* in Kuwait, he or she will have to either get tested for TB (just a little needle prick) or get the vaccine. The TB test is no big deal.

Alexa said...

Hmmm... All the nurseries here ask for the child's immunization records. Since BCG is given at birth in Qatar, I figured they'd be looking for it. Not sure if it's required or not... kinda afraid to ask :/

The Globetrotter Parent said...

Alexa,

They give BCG to newborns in Kuwait, too. For nursery, though, they ask for the vaccine records for information purposes only. There are no requirements for any vaccine. Only primary schools (including nurseries within primary schools) require the BCG vaccination (or a negative TB test).

Alexa said...

Good to know! Hopefully it's the same in Qatar. Thank you so much, you've been such a great help to me!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

hi,

would kindly share the name of the nursery

Unknown said...

Hello,

I can also recommend Happy Chappies Montessori in Fintas. It is an authentic Montessori. As you rightly say many call themselves Montessori but thats about as Montessori as they go!.
www.happy-chappies.com

Warm regards,
Alison.

The Globetrotter Parent said...

Hi Alison, I have to disagree with you on that one. I visited Happy Chappies and spoke to its director. They do have some Montessori materials, but she confirmed that it was essentially a play-based nursery with some Montessori inspiration. There is no three hour work time, all plates and cups used during snack time are plastic, there are a lot of traditional toys in the place (Montessori doesn't do toys, just materials), and I did not see any practical life activities going on. I think it is an absolutely lovely play-based nursery, but it's not Montessori.

Unknown said...

Hi globetrotter parent, please can you confirm the name of the nursey you mentioned above? Regards Mays

Leen said...

Hello,

I am looking for a French Nursery for my 18 months daughter.
Can anyone recommend a good one pls.
Thank you

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RolaAbi said...

Hi I would like to know the name of the nursery you mentioned in your post thank you