We are moving to Shanghai shortly and looking for recommendations for English or Bilingual day care options for an 18 month old. He goes to daycare currently in the US, and we like the group environment and learning benefits. We are planning a househunting visit, and are hoping to use that time to visit some school options for him. An Bilingual place would be great, and we are also wondering about experiences with Mandarin places to get him started on the right track. I'm not sure where to start, so I appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks!

It can be difficult to find places for a child of that age. Most of the kindergartens start at age 3, some 2. There is very little of what we'd call 'day care' in the west, everything here below grade school is called kindergarten. You might need to consider for the first 6m to a year hiring an ayi specifically for childcare, who can talk to your child in Mandarin and begin the language process and take them to various playgroups and activities in whatever area you settle in - there are many throughout town.