Cyprus-Forum.com

[gordonmaria]

Hi We are moving to Cyprus at the end of April and looking for a Greek speaking nursery for our 4yr old son. Initially we are renting short term in Paphos and then maybe looking at Pegeia, Geroskipou, Trimithousa for the long term. Would appreciate any advice, recommendation's or names of nurseries to contact direct. We also have a 9month old son and would be interested to find out if any nurseries do take babies and what the costs are etc... Any advice on whats the best village to live in would be appreciated. Maria

[gordonmaria]

Any help with information would be appreciated

[LENA]

Welcome to the forum and to Cyprus gordonmaria...i will pm you my email address to contact with me for any questions you have

[Lilyput]

hi both! Welcome!
We've have had varying experience with nurseries to date! They all seem very academic focused and there's an emphasis on sitting down to learn in lessons which at 2 or 3 is just not possible! But the Cypriot schools are very academic too.
The International has a English speaking Kindergarten and it is £115/month full time, plus i think about £30 for lunches if you want. Full time is usually 7.30 - 1 or 2 i think, and i'm not sure you can pay less for less days.. The staffing ratio there is better than all the other ones, about 1 "teacher" - 13 kids and there are four groups of 13 each called lions, bears etc..It's a lovely big environment, clean and well managed with big outdoor areas under shade. Our problem is the kids have to be toilet trained and we are just not getting to that point anytime quick!!

There's a parents and toddler group at the Latin hall on the Tomb of the Kings road Thursday 10-12am which has been a useful contact point.

We tried one Cypriot nursery between Paphos and Chlorakas called Activity centre, there's a lovely lady in charge, only about 30 kids and a couple of other staff members. But it wasn't right for us. Most local nurseries are £60 a month full time including food!!
Tried the Babycare Cypriot nursery in Chlorakas - this was a lovely bright modern place with lots of toys but the staffing ratio was 1 to about 25+ kids (at best...) The staff were lovely but our little one didn't settle to it and neither did we..
There's one just near the International, in Mesogi I think, called the Green Mouse but its got a waiting list. By all accounts its worth looking at with a good staff ratio and we hope to go and see it tomorrow.
It's worth checking out the nurseries policies on discipline, choice of food served, and if your kids don't speak Greek wether there is anyone who will understand your kids if they have a problem. Also wether the staff ratio includes the cook and the cleaner..
hope this helps. pm me if you want any more info!

[gordonmaria]

Thanks for all the info! Couldn't pm as not working in forum just now.
We have deceided a Greek speaking nursery would suit us best, hopefully so our son will intergrate into the community alot easier. Our eldest son is 4yrs and he's quite confident and used to a nursery school environment, I suppose at the end of the day as long as he is happy and comfortable somewhere thats all that matters!

Thanks for pointing out pro's and con's and we'll take these into consideration when we are visitng them. What is the best way to find nurseries, is it mainly just word of mouth?

The cost of a nursery is unbelievably cheap in comparision to those in Britain!!

I'd be interested in what you think of the nursery near Mesogi, once you've visited.

How long have you been in Cyprus for and how did you find settling in?

Good luck with your nursery search!

Best regards
Maria

[Lilyput]

Never got to the Green Mouse as an english speaking one opened in Chlorakas called Little learners. While I would have loved my little one to go to a Cypriot nursery I'm afraid I had too many problems with the two that I tried..and I can't compromise on safety no matter what. We'll all get Greek lessons locally with a tutor instead.
Anyway you're probably here now!

[LENA]

Never got to the Green Mouse as an english speaking one opened in Chlorakas called Little learners. While I would have loved my little one to go to a Cypriot nursery I'm afraid I had too many problems with the two that I tried..and I can't compromise on safety no matter what. We'll all get Greek lessons locally with a tutor instead.
Anyway you're probably here now!

Yes they are Lilyput!!