Taipei Preschool Short-term Experience

taiwan preschool field trip guandu

Last year (2017) we spent 2 months in Taiwan. My son was 3 at the time and attended preschool. This year (2018) we spent 3 months in Taiwan and returned to the same preschool. I was able to enroll my 2.5-year-old as well this past trip. They were separated into classes based on age.

Many people have reached out to ask about our school, and now that my children are older and privacy is not an issue, I feel comfortable sharing that they attended Sesame Street English, an after-school program that tutors English for elementary school children. The preschool program is taught in Mandarin only. I know that can be confusing! They have several locations throughout Taipei but only some locations offer a preschool program.

Table of contents:

Curriculum

My daughter’s class, ages 2-3, focused on play. Classwork involved coloring and applying stickers. They also incorporated music with singing and dancing. My daughter enjoyed her time at this school. I felt this was very age-appropriate.

My son’s class, ages 4-5, still had a lot of play time but began preparing students for primary school. Classwork involved learning Zhuyin, writing lessons, and math. About 2 months into the trip I realized he had learned simple addition! He was also learning how to tie his shoelaces. Pretty basic but things I didn’t have time to teach him yet. The school also focused on proper behavior, safety from strangers, what to do during an emergency, etc. I was so impressed with what my son learned from his teachers in such a short amount of time.

Here are some photos of my 4-year-old’s school books.

taiwan preschool workbook zhuyin
taiwan preschool workbook zhuyin
taiwan preschool workbook math
taiwan preschool textbook market
taiwan preschool textbook manners

Punctuality is Important

We were tardy on the first of school. As a mom of two toddlers, we are late every day for just about everything. Upon arrival and without any explanation from me, the teacher crouches down next to the children and says, “Tomorrow you mustn’t be late. Please listen to your mom so you can be ready on time.” I was taken aback by her approach but also thankful she didn’t tell them, “It’s OK!” like we so often hear.

Responsibility for their Belongings

One morning, tardy as usual, I forgot to grab the kids’ backpack. By the time I realized it was too late to turn back. The school doors were closed so the kids ran into class and I didn’t get a chance to apologize to the teacher. At the end of the day, I apologized, to which she responded, “Don’t worry. I already scolded my son for not being responsible for his backpack!”

Students have Chores

Students from the older classes often help with the younger children. They are responsible for helping the younger children tidy up after lunch and snack time. They also play with the younger ones, showing them how to play games or telling them stories. This has been immensely helpful in teaching my son how to be a better brother to his little sister.

Health and Hygiene

Each student has their temperature taken upon arrival at school. If their temperature is anything but normal the parent is asked to take the child who cannot attend school that day. Students that are ill are sent home, others with a cough or sniffles must wear a face mask. Students also have to brush their teeth after lunch. We haven’t experienced any of this at our schools in New York or California.

Uniforms

Their uniforms are worn twice a week for physical fitness classes and during school outings. I am a huge fan of uniforms! It’s so much quicker getting the kids out the door when there’s no argument about what to wear!

Field Trips

Each month the preschool organizes a field trip for all students. The school chartered a tour bus, which my son loved riding. These days were very memorable for my little ones.

taiwan preschool field trip
taiwan preschool field trip bears world

Cost of our preschool in Taiwan

Tuition: 9200 NT per month and includes meals and field trips.
Registration: 7500 NT, even for short-term enrollment. Covers textbooks, uniforms, backpacks, field trips, lunch bags and utensils, school supplies, etc.
Admissions Requirements: Full health records and all immunizations

Here are some tips on how to find a preschool or kindergarten in Taiwan.

Final Thoughts on Preschool in Taiwan

This was our second year enrolling our kids in a Taiwan preschool. Before our Taiwan trip, my 4-year-old was growing more and more resistant to learning Chinese. After starting Mandarin Immersion preschool in California, he started speaking English most of the time. He didn’t like to be pushed to speak Mandarin and said he didn’t want to learn Chinese anymore. It was heartbreaking for me! After about 2 weeks in Taiwan, both children spoke only Mandarin. After the 3 weeks, even when I got upset and scolded them in English (a reflex) they would respond in Mandarin!

The tuition for the preschool in Taiwan was so much lower than what we pay in California. We saved money going to Taiwan. This was my daughter’s first experience with school and she loved it. With both kids in school, I got to enjoy some solo time. I made some new friends and had so much fun. Here are some of the things I did while the kids were in school.

We plan to return each year until primary school. I’m not sure what to do then. Perhaps we’ll have to attend language camps with the masses.

18 thoughts on “Taipei Preschool Short-term Experience”

  3. Doris says:

    Thank you so much for your information. We’ll be on Taiwan with my 4 year old starting Oct 2. It’s been hard finding a preschool for only a few months. Could you Also provide me info on where your kids attended their preschool? Thank you!

  4. Mauricio says:

    Hi, I am currently in Taiwan looking for a school for my 3 years old, could you please share the name and location of your school. I am living near daan park, and I am looking for a school nearby, Thank you!

    • Jeanne Chang says:

      Hello, my children’s preschool is in Beitou, not very close to Da’an. For their safety, I do not share the location of my children’s school. Our school is full at the moment. Good luck on your search, I know it’s not each at the moment since many schools currently have a waitlist.

  5. Nur Novilina Arifianingsih says:

    your blog is super helpful. I am now a Ph.D. student in Taipei, Taiwan. And I have almost 2 years old son. I hope I can ask more about preschool with you

  6. Jimin Lee says:

    Thank you so much for this post. I’m planning on sending my kids (who will be 4 and 6 years old next yet) to school in Taiwan next year as well. Is it possible for you to email me the name of the school your child attended and maybe get some more information? Thank you so much for your help!

  7. Winnie says:

    your blog is so helpful, I am planning to stay in Taiwan for one year and looking for pre school for my two year old daughter.
    Can you email me the school that your kids attend?

    Thank you so much

  8. victoria says:

    Thank you so much for this post, and also other posts of yours I found helpful. I am traveling with my kiddos (2 & 4) in a few weeks and would also like to ask more about the school and the experience. I haven’t traveled back with kids before so this will be interesting 🙂

  9. Bonnie says:

    Hello! I’ve found your site really helpful, as we are hoping to have our kids (turning 5 in August and 2) attend preschool in Taichung short-term (just for the month of August) this coming summer. Would you mind telling me how early you reached out to the school to ask about summer enrollment, and if you have any tips on how to find a preschool that would allow a kid to attend for just one month? Thanks so much!

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