What Is Preschool/Kindergarten?
Preschools in Vietnam and pre-Kindergartens in Vietnam have a few similarities. They are categorised under the pre-primary category which aims to promote kindergarten and school readiness in children. Both preschools and pre-Kindergartens in Vietnam emphasise on the importance of play, discovery and hands-on learning. Activities such as music, dance, art, physical play and dramatic play can be found in both preschools and pre-Kindergartens.
Next, preschools and pre-Kindergartens in Vietnam promote the developmental learning and growth in children. The education a child receives in the preschool and pre-Kindergarten in Vietnam will help build communication skills, self-confidence and self-esteem alongside academic skills.
The term, ‘kindergarten’, was coined by Friedrich Froebel, a German educator. The Kindergarten Movement introduced the concept of children as plants and teachers as the gardeners who take care of them - kinder meaning child and garten meaning garden.
What Age Do Kids Start Preschool in Vietnam?
Typically, most children enter preschools at age four or five. There are also programmes that cater to three-year-olds. However, the decision of when a child enters preschools is solely up to the parents. Several factors should be taken into consideration by parents who want to enrol their children in preschool. These factors are age, maturity, sociability, and temperament, among others.
In Vietnam, children enter preschools, also known as pre-primary schools, between the ages of three and six. Preschool education in Vietnam is not compulsory. However, Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is working towards having all Vietnamese children attend preschool when they are five years old so that they will be prepared to enter primary school the following year.
What Topics are Learned at Preschools in Vietnam?
There are many types of early childhood education in Vietnam available today but play-based learning is one of the most popular. In play-based learning, children learn by interacting with the world around them. Activities include doing puzzles, playing with blocks, painting and drawing, reading books and listening to stories or poetry. Children also play dress up and participate in music, dance and drama activities. In terms of physical play, children climb and play on outdoor equipment. They run, swing and jump with other children. Playing with clay, sand, water, paint, paper and colours are also common in play-based learning.
Types of Preschools in Vietnam
Preschools in Vietnam consist of state-run and private nurseries and kindergartens. Nurseries, or crèches, cater to infants aged three months old to toddlers aged three years old. In Vietnam, children aged between three and six enter preschool. Approximately half the preschool system in Vietnam is made up of state-run kindergartens. There are also private kindergartens which use Vietnamese as the medium of instruction and international kindergartens, which can be found in big cities and use English as the medium of instruction.
How Do You Apply to Preschool in Vietnam?
For preschools in Vietnam, parents can send an application online or manually via a particular preschool. On the other hand, parents can conduct their own research on the application process when it comes to private preschools.
For private preschools in Vietnam, parents can do their own research and shortlist schools based on their requirements such as fees, location and curriculum offered. In addition, parents can go on preschool tours and visit Open Days for more information. Parents can contact the schools personally to ask for registration details and provide the documentation and paperwork needed.
What are the Average Fees for Preschool in Vietnam?
Pre-primary education in Vietnam is mostly free for state-run preschools. However, parents need to fork out fees for additional services and are encouraged to make voluntary contributions towards the preschool’s development fund.
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