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English Nurseries in Brussells & military allowances?

6 replies

Andie3 · 31/08/2014 09:32

Hello, we've been offered a possible opportunity in Brussells (NATO HQ). We have an 18 month old daughter and we are both UK military so she would need be have full time childcare. She loves her current nursery and I'd want an English speaking environment, particularly as she is just acquiring language skills. The BSB has a lovely looking kindergarten but it is expensive. I think her young age means we are not entitled to any allowances or financial help so would need to find €1900 a month, which could be a show-stopper. Can anyone let me know their experience of child care for this age group in Brussells and what assistance if any might be available for UK military (not civillian as I think the allowances tend to differ considerably). Thank you x

OP posts:
Longtime · 04/09/2014 21:59

Have posted to our fb group. Hopefully someone will come along soon. My dcs went to local schools so no use I'm afraid.

Andie3 · 04/09/2014 22:26

Thanks Longtime x

OP posts:
Longtime · 05/09/2014 13:58

Hmm, nobody been along yet? There are loads of nurseries here in Brussels because it is the norm for mums to go back to work. Often need to have your name down as soon as you know you are pregnant though as they get booked up quickly. The private ones are easier to get into. brussels.angloinfo.com/af/502/brussels-nursery-schools-creche-and-kindergarten.html

Longtime · 05/09/2014 13:58

Just be careful though because the nurseries attached to school are usually from the age of 2.5.

Longtime · 05/09/2014 14:01

www.kidfarwest.com/index/pages/id_page-1/lang-en/

Some of our group have used Kidfarwest as a stop gap. They are expensive but maybe not as expensive as BSB? In any case, I think you need to be 3 to go to the Kindergarten at BSB.

cannotseeanend · 08/09/2014 19:19

Yes BSB's creche is the only place in the region of Brussels and just outside which is registered and has mother tongue English speaking carers, from 18 months, there is also International Montessoris.

Is there a reason why your child cannot go to French creche or Dutch creche? It really won't harm their English if you speak English at home. Even if for a short time and they forget the other language if you move away, there is much evidence of exposure to another language being beneficial.

If your child is 18 months old, they could start school this time next year and it's almost free in French or Dutch. There are loads of after school activities in English in Brussels and just outside, a huge percentage of the population speaks English as a first or second language. Dutch is the official equal language of Brussels region but in fact only spoken by around 8% of the Belgian population. The percentage of fluent English speakers in Brussels region is probably larger than 8%. The areas of the region where the upwardly mobile English speakers live are east and south of the region, but more and more moving to the northern communes due to the European school 4 being deliberately located in Laeken, however the amount of activities in English in the north is still limited.

BSB's creche (for under 3s) moves building in November 2014, to a portakabin but a luxury one, with much new wooden furnishings, should look like a Montessori type place I imagine, it will be a huge improvement, no more stairs, easy to go outside, near to the lower primary facilities (3-8 years). Yes it is very expensive, but there is nothing else like it. It is however only open for 38 weeks a year, so you'd still need something for the other 14 weeks.

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