Yaounde - Post Report Question and Answers
Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
The American school has a preschool program that I believe starts at age 3, but I believe it is expensive. Life with toddlers can be very limited as there are almost no parks/playgrounds for kids to run around and play. Definitely no safe sidewalks. The only public park I have seen, which is on Mt. Febe, is about as old as I am and not very well cared for. My older kids were fine, but I wouldn't let a toddler play there. I think parents of toddlers have to make their own fun here - forming groups through the embassy. Even then, I think it can be limiting. Especially when electricity/internet is limited so you can't rely on having Netflix or other entertainment as a back-up or break. With no sidewalks, there would be no use for a stroller here. All this said, I think the Community Liaison Office (CLO) at the embassy has done a great job of providing programming for families each month. If bringing toddlers here, you should plan to bring indoor toys that kids can get energy out on. Mosquitoes can make outside play limiting - especially during dry season, though I think many homes have screened in porches for this reason. - Jan 2020
There are preschools available. Household help is cheap, so you could hire a nanny for less than $300 per month, too. ASOY provides afterschool activities. - Jun 2018
ASOY has a preschool and has before and after-school care, but it is relatively expensive, and bus transportation isn't available for preschool students, which can be an issue since the school is downtown. Fustel's preschool is a bit cheaper, but it is even farther from the housing, as it is at the Fustel primary school campus (the lycee is closer to our housing). Ecole Le Flamboyant is a bilingual (primarily French, some English) school that gets good reviews, is near the housing, and is reasonably priced, and some have used Amity International School and 1, 2, 3 Soleil! in the past and been content. Nannies are probably the most commonly used option for preschool-aged kids. - Apr 2017
There is 1-2-3 soilel as well for preschools, and they accept younger kids than Flamboyant. Otherwise, people usually just have nannies. - Jan 2014
See above. Eccole Le Flamboyant #1 recommended but it has a long waiting list. Soleil #2 recommended. - May 2012
Preschool is available at ASOY and at the French school, but it is quite expensive. There are also a couple of decent local daycares that friends of mine use on a drop-in basis. My toddler daughter has thoroughly enjoyed the very active expat playgroup scene, sometimes going to friends' houses with me or often with my housekeeper. - Mar 2010
Available though extremely expensive. Preschool for ages 4-5 at the American school is over 2,000$ a semester. There are 2 decent french pre-schools which are a bit cheaper. However, most opt to join diplomatic play groups and use nannies. Nannies are plentiful and cheap, 150$ a month for full time. - Jan 2010
ASOY also offers preschool to 3 and 4-year-olds but their rates are quite expensive. It is much more economical to hire a local as a nanny. - Nov 2008
Cheap (US$300 month or less) household help is available - English or fFench speaking. The American school has preschool - expensive if you have to pay it yourself. - Sep 2008
The only preschool available is at ASOY, although expensive - the kids seem to be happy and well adjusted. - Jun 2008
Nannies are readily available (US$150-$300/month) and you must be careful. - Jun 2008
