This is a hot topic on the forum and I have searched past postings without finding the information I need.

I have a two year old daughter who I would like to start sending to preschool (half days). We live in the French Concession area (borderline Jingan and Xuhui Districts) and I would like to be within walking/biking distance to the school. Since our family is not on an expatriate package, I would also like a cheaper option than the "international schools."

So far, I have checked Sunrise Montessori, Mothergoose, Happy Marion, Montessori School of Shanghai, Victoria, Melody Mommy and Me, SongQingLing (Huashan) and Tiny Tots. Most have curriculums in English and geared towards foreigners (mainly expensive tuition).

My daughter is just starting to speak and understands English, French and Chinese. Since we are in Shanghai, I would like her to take advantage of the situation and learn as much Mandarin Chinese as possible.

Can anyone recommend a good (key word) local Chinese preschool in the French Concession area? Anyone with children in a Chinese preschool who can comment on the advantages and disadvantages?

Thanks!!

I cannot comment too much but some friends have kids go to Si Nan Lu kinder and Wu Nan (Wulumuqi Lu kinder) and seems that they are quite happy with the school. May be you could have a look.

We had our kids at Wunan for about 18 months. They are now pretty much fluent in Chinese, and we found the school to be OK for the most part. The last year of kindergarten the teacher was a problem, and we had some issues with the administration so in the end we pulled out and put our kids in Rainbow bridge for 1st grade. However, it is pretty cost effective and outside of that one bad teacher, our kids liked it.

We are moving to Shanghai soon (we live an hour away now) . Our four year old has been in Chinese daycare for three months and he is starting to say a few phrases in Chinese. I've been looking at the English schools but I don't want to interrupt the good progress with mandarin - and he likes the kids and the teachers, so he's comfortable.

Anyone know of a good Chinese daycare in Pudong?

I have my 5 year old in the Jian Guo Kindergarten on Jian Guo lu near Wu Lu Mu Qi Lu. He has been going there since he was 2. There are very few local kindergartens that take kids below 3 years old. I wasn't picky so there he has been. Now, I'm not really high maintenance about knowing what he does every day and I haven't had any real concerns except for the availability of candy. The admin do not speak much English, but many of the teachers have good basic English language skills. Are you familiar with the Chinese kindergarten curriculum? It is quite rigid. There is no "free dancing" or free expression in art. If you have other expectations then you must find the right place for you. We want our children to also attend local primary school, so it is very important they have this experience. He is not the only foreign child but one of only a few. They are keen to have more foreign children, but don't do anything to advertise. My son is very happy and has made wonderful friends and so have I. He is still an individual, still very "western". I will send my youngest there next year. For the 2 year olds, it's only half day but a long one from as early as 7:30 to 11:30. When they are 3 they will be full day and take a two hour nap after lunch every day. They provide the morning and afternoon snacks in addition to lunches. My son didn't really start speaking Chinese until he was 3-1/2 for some reason. But he's amazing now. I don't regret it, he's having a wonderful experience and feels like a local kid, not a compound living expat kid. We can take him anywhere and he know's what the local kids are in to and can easily play with them (especially on long train journeys)
If you have any other questions send me a message directly I do have a bit of local information and can help you.