My Amman Life

Moving to Amman and thinking about starting my 2.5-year-old in a nursery/preschool/pre-k meant I had to do a lot of investigating as there are many options. I started my search by asking in some parenting groups and because I didn’t want a commute, I stuck closer to the Abdoun area. Because of that most of the options in this post are in the Abdoun and Swefieh area. Below are the nurseries/pre-schools/daycares that I came across so far. I’ll be visiting them one by one to take a tour and will continue to update this post with more information. They are listed in no particular order of preference. The costs listed below are annual costs for the 2024-25 school year and would be for 10 months total.

Abdoun Area

Raise & Praise

• Annual cost: school does not disclose the information publicly
• Timings: 8:15 am to 1:00 pm (pre-1) or 1:30 pm (pre-2)
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: No
• Ages: 2 – 4 years
• Location: Abdoun https://maps.app.goo.gl/WqJnia9fXipfdRx19
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/raiseandpraisepreschool/
• Other info: Raise & Praise Preschool offers a nurturing and enabling environment grounded in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the British framework we follow. Children’s social-emotional well-being and resilience are fostered through learning through play, supported by a dedicated and highly qualified team committed to providing the highest standard of care and education.
• Personal anecdote: I toured many preschools in Amman and this was by far my favorite. The campus is gorgeous and the owner (Dana) is lovely. I found this the best place for my child that would agree with values including play learning (zero screen time) and bilingual (English + Arabic).

The Little Academy

• Annual cost: 3500 up to 5065 JD (depending on the grade)
• Timings: 8 am or 8:30 am (depending on grade) to 2 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Yes (until 4 pm)
• Ages: 7 months – 10 years (Grade 5)
• Location: Abdoun/Al Diyar border https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZteS9QDW87FU3ETN6
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/thelittle_academy/
• Personal anecdote: The school presents a very nurturing atmosphere with an Emilio Reggio approach. I like that it is until grade 5, meaning kids get to be in a younger atmosphere that doesn’t have a big school feeling. The campus is quaint but has all of the necessary facilities in very good condition. They teach English, Arabic, and French.

Learning Trail Preschool

• Annual cost: 3200 JD
• Timings: 8:30 am to 2 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?:
• Ages: 18 months – 5 years
• Location: Abdoun/Swefieh border https://maps.app.goo.gl/boief3m4wmuWtRNH9
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/learning.trail/

Jumpstart

• Annual cost:
• Timings: 8 am to 1:30 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Yes
• Ages: 14 months – 4 years 8 months
• Location: Abdoun https://maps.app.goo.gl/JfYc7HuYLE9zmNcv8
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/jumpstartjo/

Hill House

• Annual cost: 3000 JD
• Timings: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Early drop-off available at 7:30 am
• Ages: 2 – 6 years
• Location: Abdoun https://maps.app.goo.gl/kD5QxLpYLqxYkPJ36
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/hillhousejordan/

Paradigm Preschool

• Annual cost: 3,525 JD
• Timings: 8:45 am to 1:15 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?:
• Ages:
• Location: Abdoun https://maps.app.goo.gl/9J4BGFX6VLc2if76A
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/paradigmpreschool/

Book’n’Brush

• Annual cost: 3,600 JD (plus one time 250 JD registration fee)
• Timings: 8 am to 1 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Yes (1-2:30 pm)
• Ages: 15 months – 4.8 years
• Location: Abdoun https://maps.app.goo.gl/w2dt7nkp7St5eYWs6
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/booknbrush/

Koala Early Learning Center

• Annual cost: school does not disclose the information publicly
• Timings: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Ages: newborn to 4.8 years
• Location: Abdoun https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZQ2LncHtJbEK59eC9
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/koalaearlylearning/

Swefieh

Building Blocks Preschool

• Annual cost: 2700 JD
• Timings: 8 am to 2 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?:
• Ages:
• Location: Swefieh https://maps.app.goo.gl/jEy4rH4nr7hXriY96
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/building.blocks.amman/

Cocoon Nursery 

• Annual cost: 4,320-4800 JD (12 months)
• Timings: 8:30 to 4:30 pm (have flexible half & full day rates)
• Ages: 3 months – 4 years 8 months
• Location: Swefieh https://maps.app.goo.gl/R3Po4euPnWx9p7CG8
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/cocoonursery/

Nest

• Annual cost: JD
• Timings: 8 am to 3 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?:
• Ages: 14 months to 4 years
• Location: 6th Circle https://maps.app.goo.gl/m2Y93F54tr4ztFKN6
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/nestpreschooljo/

Curio

• Annual Cost: 3300 JD
• Timings: 9 am to 1 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Yes (7:30 am to 5 pm)
• Ages: 2 months to 4 years
• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g92saNzrjwPaX5Xg8
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/curio.preschool/
• Other info: Curio preschool is owned and operated by Save the Children Jordan as part of a social enterprise where the income generated goes to support women entrepreneurs in underserved communities to establish their own preschools. The educational philosophy is Reggio Emilia with an inviting and spacious learning environment that promotes healthy relationships and growth.

WABE (German Nursery & Kindergarten)

• Annual Cost:
• Timings:
• Extended timings at an additional cost?:
• Ages:
• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xkq1yftjw4s5ypzt6
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/wabeamman/

Um Uthaina

Play2Learn

• Annual cost: 3,100 JD
• Timings: 8 am until 2 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Yes (until 4 pm)
• Ages: 1.5 – 4 years
• Location: Um Uthaina https://maps.app.goo.gl/JztnZu4DL6ZEA3jd6 (they also have a Khalda branch)
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/play2learn__/

Dabouq & Khalda

Little Einstein

• Annual Cost:
• Timings:
• Extended timings at an additional cost?:
• Ages:
• Location: Dabouq https://maps.app.goo.gl/nssubiowbYvH8EQNA
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/littleinsteindabouq

Sensational Child

• Annual Cost: 3,900 JD (introductory 15% offer available)
• Timings: 8:15 am to 1:15 pm (timings may differ based on age group)
• Ages: 21 months – 4 years
• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UyBqcZqN8gE2kK1bA
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/sensationalchild.jo/
• Other info: A progressive bilingual boutique and holistic preschool in which children learn through play, storytelling, exploration, and discovery in a safe and supportive environment, inspired by Jordanian cultural heritage and natural landscapes, utilizing sustainable and organic learning resources and sensory tools, and connecting with nature in a 400m2 garden and organic gardening program. 12 children per class. MOSD License capacity 48 children.

Kawni

• Annual Cost: 3,000-3,600 JD
• Timings: 7 am to 3 pm
• Extended timings at an additional cost?: Yes (until 5 pm)
• Ages: 2.5 months – 4 years
• Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qHBvDsxqa6NzZS3VA
• Contact: https://www.instagram.com/kawni.ecc/