Preschool education generally refers to educating young children in a formal setting such as nursery or kindergarten schools, in a non-formal childcare setting, or at home between parents and children.
Pre-schooling is aimed at providing children with a foundation for formal education and for the development of a wide range of social skills that will help children to transition well and prepare for lifelong learning. Preschool education plays a significant role in the introduction of skills that are vital for formal education at all levels.
Pre-school education
- Ages : 4-6 years
- Duration : 2 years
- Primary Languages : English
- Terms : 2 terms
- Admission Term: Beginning of the term
- School Types: nursery school and kindergarten
The Egyptian preschool education system is mainly composed of kindergartens and nurseries. Nurseries are especially for younger children aged between 2 and 4 while kindergarten schools are pre-primary classes for children aged between 4 and 6 years.
Kindergartens offer formal programs with educational curricula designed to prepare children for mainstream education or school. Over the years there has been an increase in enrollment in pre-schools because of the advantages of pre-primary education.
Some of the distinct advantages are as follows: children that attend pre-primary education are less likely to repeat classes, less likely to drop out of school, and are less likely to be placed in special need classes.
Children who attend pre-primary education are generally more prepared for formal education than those who do not.
The aim of pre-primary education in Egypt is to educate children through the use of self-learning and to provide them with many opportunities to use their self activities, discovery, research, and experimenting in the process of learning and education.
It also aims to develop the child's thinking and to help them acquire cognitive skills to adapt to the ever-changing environment.
Why enroll children in pre-schools?
Pre-school provides a firm foundation for students as they prepare for formal education. Some of the other advantages include:
- It Lays the foundation for a successful future
- Children learn how to care for themselves
- they improve in social skills
- the Improve in Self-Esteem and Confidence
- they Stay Active and Healthy
- it Boosts their Creativity
- they Develop motor, language, and thinking skills
- they develop independence to do some things without needing supervision or assistance.
Examples of International Pre-Schools in Egypt
Schutz American School
This is an independent, coeducational school offering an American-based educational program from Pre-kindergarten to K12. The school educates whole students in a safe, caring, and supportive environment.
It aims to help students to understand and pursue their passions and contribute positively to the world as global citizens. It also aims to produce resilient students, have integrity, compassion, good communicators, open-minded, inquirers, knowledgeable, balanced, and who are thinkers. The school's academic year runs from August to June and has 2 semesters.
- Established; 1924
- Location: 51 Schutz Street, Alexandria, Egypt
- Pre-school Ages: 3-5 years
- Student population: 274+
- Teacher-Student ratio: 1:6
- Language: English
- Terms: 2
Accreditation: the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MAS)
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 8:00 a.m - 3:30 pm.
The Early Years Programm
The school offers an Early Years Program serving Pre- Kindergarten and Kindergarten students from the age of 2 to 6 years. This program places importance on play and relationships as a driving force for inquiry learning.
Students are involved in a variety of activities and processes which are aimed at building a strong cognitive, social, and communicative foundation. These include movement, painting, transformation, mathematics, drawing, mark-making, socio-dramatics, building, sculpture and sound, singing, or rhythm.
Facilities- The school offers the following facilities: a design and engineering lab with a 3D printer, a Dedicated science lab, a covered court and an open court for basketball and volleyball, a small soccer pitch, a swimming pool, a weight room, and a fitness room for Yoga, Zumba, and other stretching activities, large spaces for art, and an auditorium, to mention but a few.
Extracurricular activities- the school also offers a wide range of Extracurricular and sports activities including swimming, football, volleyball, Zumba, basketball, martial arts, dancing, cooking, jewelry making, yoga, to mention but a few.
Prospective students- All applicants to Schutz American School must submit the following:
- An Application for Admission.
- All pertinent school records for the past three years.
- Copy of passport and/or birth certificate.
- 2 passport photographs
Canadian International School of Egypt –
This is an International School in Egypt that is home to students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 and the only bilingual school in Egypt offering the French Immersion Program.
It offers inquiry-based programs and activities that encourage students to discover their interests and strengths in a safe, caring, and supportive environment that fosters positive attitudes and allows students to challenge themselves. The school aims to develop students who will be knowledgeable, creative, inquiring, and caring citizens in a global society.
- Address: El Tagamoa El Khames, Behind New Cairo City Council, 4th District- Zone # 6, Katameya, New Cairo, Egypt
- Ages: 3-5 years
- Duration: 2 years
- Language: English
- Admission Term: August, January.
- Terms: 2
Prospective students- prospective applicants to the school must complete an online application and submit all supporting documents to the Admissions Office which include:
- 2 final report cards from the previous school reports
- Original computerized birth certificate
- Photocopy of parents’ ID
- Application fees
- 6 passport size photos
- A photocopy of the student’s passport
Note that all documents presented in languages other than English must be accompanied by official translations.
Esperanza Educational Pre-school
This is an international school that accepts children aged 3 months to 5 years.
- location: 17 Ismail Abou El Foutuoh Street, Off Fini Square, Dokki and 5 Giza Street, off Beirut Street, Heliopolis.
- campuses: 2 (Doki and Heliopolis)
- established: 2002
- type: private
- opening hours: 7:30am to 6:00pm
curriculum- the school has specialized and trained teachers who strive to create an atmosphere where positive experiences unfold and where children can grow wholly. A variety of learning methods are used including Singing nursery rhymes, dot-to-dot connection, coloring, tracing, and completing pictures, to mention but a few.
facilities- the school offers a variety of facilities including 3 playing areas. Both villas consist of 6 main classes, dining room, sleeping room, art and music room, video room, kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and Three well-secured areas.
activities- activities offered here include arts and crafts, sports and exercise, cooking, gardening, dancing and movement on music, drama, and etiquette, listening and cooperation, Ballet, Aerobics, Tennis, Karate, and Fitness.
There are a variety of classes offered here, depending on the age group or language. Classes are as follows:
Baby Class- the class caters to children under the age of 1.
Stage 1 Class- this Class caters to 1 and a half to 2-year-old children. Here the children are encouraged to explore and socialize with each other. Colors, puzzles, and music are mostly used here.
Stage 2 Class- this class caters to 2 to 3-year-old children where basic language words and basic skills are taught in a fun and artistic way.
Stage 3 Class- this class caters to 3 to 3and half-year-olds where they learn how to play, share and love one another, how to see the world, think, and discover the world.
Senior Class- this class caters to 3 and a half to 4 and a half years old of age. at this age, children learn more about the world around them.
French Class- this class is for 2 to 4-year-old students. Activities that introduce children to reading the French alphabet and numbers as well as understanding and pronouncing French words and phrases are a strong component of the program, as well as a safe, secure environment that ensures an atmosphere where learning and fun go hand in hand.
German Class- This Class caters for 2 to 4-year-olds and children are introduced to the German vocabulary and counting in German through bead making and handcraft activities, understanding and pronouncing German phrases, Cutting, pasting, and matching activities all included in the curriculum and done through puzzles, toys, and educational games.
Arabic- it is in most cases the child’s mother tongue and children are taught to recognize the letters of the alphabet and their different sounds where they carefully develop accurate speech. The class prepares the children who are learning English, French, and Arabic for the first time, the basic knowledge and feeling for the language which is the foundation of successful learning. Children here will learn to understand basic English or French and Arabic vocabulary and several useful expressions in both languages.
Religion (Muslims & Christians)- children in this class are taught to respect religions and follow the teachings of Islam and Christianity. They are also taught good social habits, good behavior, and respect for others as taught by religious teachings.Both Islam and Christianity here are taught separately by professional staff members through stories, songs, and habits, to mention but a few.
