Nurseries in Riyadh (2)

After some thorough search for decent nursery in Riyadh, with the specification of caring for children below 3 and running until 2 p.m. (minimum) here are my findings:

- Little Stars (+966-1-2168008), children 2yr 6mnth and up. 7:30-12 (special session until 5). 16,000 SAR/year for regular hours. 30,000 SAR/year for extended session.
They are a 3 story building, constructed mainly for the purpose of child care. They host parties, school trips and summer camps. They have rooms for different activities: playing, cooking, theater, learning, eating, etc. To some kids, it might be overwhelming due to its big size and echo-y nature. Maximum capacity of each class is 20. Each class has an English teacher, Arabic teacher and a nanny (for diaper change). .Each time I've been there, the director was there, actively involved with what's going on.. The school, as she told me, believes in mixing traditional learning with modern philosophies. Most of the teachers I've seen are Saudi, young, well dressed and cheerful. Only women allowed in, sorry dads!

- Tiny Tots International (+966-1-462-8860/ 462-2751), children 6 months and up. 7:30-1:30. 12,600 SAR/year.
Despite the popularity and high praise I've heard about Tiny Tots, I was shocked at what I saw. First, it runs in old villas that are not constructed mainly for child care. When hubby and I first came in to register our child, we were ignored for about half an hour because all administrators are busy registering other people. We were standing at K1 and K2, so we thought lets search for preK on our own. Surprisingly, we were able to go straight to the heart of the school, enter to children units without anybody stopping us. THESE ARE RED FLAGS TO ME! Strangers are supposed to be identified immediatly and forbidden access to interior of schools. After we were spoken to and given registeration packages, we learned that Tiny Tots uses British Curriculum. I went on the tour (and my husband was told -now- that it is Ministry regulation not to allow men into the classes!). The classes did not seem happy to me. First, PreK is in a villa where every room had a wooden door, once closed you had no idea what's going on inside. Every class I passed by I heard a crying child. The teachers (assistants?) were mostly phillipinos and as a result the English spoken everywhere I went was with a strong accent. When I asked the tour-guide if there were nap-times she said "No, unless the child wants to sleep. There's no time to sleep here, our children are constantly going from one room to the other. We are a happy place. The kids don't sleep because they are happy all the time."

- King Saud International (+966-1-4633180/4631259), children 18 months and up. 7:30-1. Special program until 4 p.m. 15,000 SAR/year.
Talk about British structure. Well, when hubby and I first entered the school we were faced with the same problem in Tiny Tots. Very old villas put together! It feels like everything you step on or touch is worn out. When we entered the administration office, we were told that access to classrooms during operation hours is forbidden and disruptive to learning. We had to come at 7 a.m. to see the classes. We were told that only one seat is left for the PreK and that we had to register right now and there or they cannot guarantee that it'll be available anymore. We were given a copy of the curriculur. While reading it, we noticed a child sitting under the desk. Did they know he was there? Was he being punished for misbehaving? While still wondering on what he was doing, the only administrators on sight had to go somewhere and as a result the child was left alone while workers and handymen came in and out of the room. Again, RED FLAGS. Not my ideal place for an under 3. Hubby and I left.

- Daycare Unit, King Faisal Specialist Hospital (+966-1-4647272 ex. 35666), children 6 months and up. Operation hours: part time (7a.m.-1p.m.), full time (7a.m.-5p.m.). 500 SAR/month for part time. 1000 SAR/month for full time. 200 SAR for registeration. Long waiting list. Either one or both parents must be KFSHRC employees.

- King Faisal International School (+966-1-4820802/ 4821430), children 2yr 9mnth, operation hours 7:30-1:30 p.m.

- Arrawdha Alshamila (+966-1-4569486), children 2yr and up, operation hours 8a.m.-2p.m., 15,000 SAR/year.