French nursery in Ho Chi Minh City · Thảo Điền
Their first years, gently, in French
From 6 months to 3 years old, your child picks up French through songs, mealtimes and play. No one needs to speak it at home: our team talks with you in English.
Book a school visitGet the brochure
6 months to 3 years · 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. · Full year or pay-as-you-go tickets
- Since 2004
- 6 months to 3 years
- 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Meals cooked on site
- Run by a qualified nurse
- Families supported in English
No one speaks French at home? That's the case for many of our families.
You wonder whether they'll feel lost, whether they'll understand what people say to them, whether you'll be able to follow their day. Before age 3, children don't study a language, they catch it. The same words come back every day, “enlève tes chaussures” (take off your shoes), “on se lave les mains” (let's wash our hands), “à table !” (time to eat!), and children understand them very quickly.
- The team speaks French with your child, and English with you whenever you need it.
- Everything the school sends you in writing is in French and English, at least.
- French becomes one more of their languages, and one that opens doors to Europe, Canada and French-speaking Africa.
What their day looks like
The same moments, every day: that's what reassures little ones, and what helps them learn to be part of a group.
7:30 a.m.
Good morning, no rush
Welcome time lasts until 9:00 a.m. A little free play, a few words with you, and goodbyes without hurrying.
9:00 a.m.
Fresh fruit juice and morning circle
Everyone gathers in a circle to sing, see who's here today, and start the day together.
9:45 a.m.
Time for activities
Painting, play dough, cooking, gardening, introduction to music: in small groups, each child at their own pace, with the words of the day in French.
10:30 a.m.
Songs, nursery rhymes and circle games
The same songs, every day: they're how French sinks in fastest.
11:00 a.m.
Lunchtime
Babies eat at their own pace from 10:50 a.m., and the older ones sit down at the table at 11:00. Meals are cooked on site and suited to each age.
12:00 p.m.
Nap time
Each child sleeps as long as they need, and they wake up gradually until 3:00 p.m. Children enrolled for mornings only go home by 12:30 p.m. at the latest.
3:00 p.m.
Snack, games and outdoor time
Snack, then games and activities, in the playground when the weather allows.
4:30 p.m.
Home to share their day
The team tells you about their day in person, and the communication notebook keeps track of the rest.
Diaper changes and potty breaks happen throughout the day, according to each child's needs.
Free brochure · 8 pages
The nursery in 8 pages, so you can decide in your own time
- Their typical day, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The three-day adaptation period, step by step
- What to pack in their bag
- The two options: full year or tickets
It arrives within seconds, in English. Reply to the email to set up a video call.
The people who will look after your child
The nursery is led by Yen Thu Pham Fernandez, a qualified nurse, who founded French International School Boule & Billes in 2004 with Thierry Fernandez. Working alongside her are seven caregivers (early childhood educators, childcare assistants and nursery aides), all trained in first aid, who speak French with the children.
You meet them before the first day, and they're the people your child will see every morning.
- Qualified
- Patient
- Organized
- Creative
- Vigilant
- Trained
Yen Thu, nursery director, with Mélanie, Jérémy, Thao, Quyen, Cam Thuy, Ngoan and Xuan Thu
Three steps, and they feel at home
A gradual transition, to reassure your child… and you.
We meet
A first meeting with the school management, by video call or in person: their routines, sleep and meals, and all your questions.
Three days to get to know each other
- Day 1 — one to two hours together, with no separation
- Day 2 — a first hour without you
- Day 3 — two hours plus lunch, then you pick them up
They grow up here
They have their routines, their friends, adults who know them well. And you know how their days go.
Timings adjust to your child's pace.
How we begin
A gentle start
You discover the nursery together with your child, and you only commit when you're ready.
A first meeting, before you decide
With the school management, by video call or in person. No commitment.
A three-day adaptation period, by their side
Together on day one, one hour without you on day two, two hours plus lunch on day three.
Tickets, with no registration fee
Mornings or full days, meals included. Any unused ticket is refunded.
The next step, already prepared
From the third term, they get to know their future First Year class (the first year of kindergarten).
Two options, your choice
Tickets
To start at your own pace, or alongside care at home.
- Morning, lunch included800 000 VND
- Full day, lunch and snack included1 040 000 VND
- Administrative fee, per year5 100 000 VND
- No registration fee: 10 500 000 VND less up front
- You only pay for the days they attend
Their place for the year
Full year
For a place reserved all year long and the best price per day.
- Full day149 000 000 VND
- Mornings115 000 000 VND
- Canteen, per year12 100 000 VND
- Initial registration fee, once per family10 500 000 VND
- Administrative fee, per year (medical check-up and insurance)5 100 000 VND
- Paid in one installment or by term
- 10% off from the second child
2026-2027 fees. For children aged 6 to 12 months, childcare fees are 15% higher.
And at 3? They move up to First Year, on familiar ground.
From the third term, the oldest children in the nursery start discovering the First Year classroom, with the teacher and her assistant. In May, a welcome meeting introduces you to the team, the classroom and the steps leading up to the start of the school year.
- 30 minper session
- 1 to 2times a week
- 3 or 4children per group
At 3, they already understand the French spoken in class. First Year isn't a leap into the unknown, even if no one speaks French at home.
Your questions
My child doesn't speak any French. Is that a problem?
No. Their key caregiver introduces French gently, through the instructions repeated every day: “enlève tes chaussures” (take off your shoes), “lave-toi les mains” (wash your hands). Little ones understand them very quickly, and the team can translate a word or two to reassure your child at first.
How will I know how their day went?
In person at drop-off and pick-up, in the communication notebook, and through the photos of the week on ClassDojo. Everything the school sends you in writing is in French and English, at least.
From what age do you accept children?
From 6 months, until they start First Year.
What should I pack in their bag?
A full change of clothes (plus underwear if they're potty training), a bag for dirty laundry, their cuddly toy or pacifier, and a water bottle. Diapers: one pack to leave at the nursery, and we'll let you know when it needs replacing. Toys stay at home.
Is milk provided?
For babies, you bring the formula and the bottle: bottles are prepared at the nursery, on your baby's schedule.
How much does the nursery cost?
Full year: 149 000 000 VND for full days or 115 000 000 VND for mornings. With tickets: 800 000 VND per morning or 1 040 000 VND per full day, meals included, with no registration fee. Both options in detail.
Come and see a morning at the nursery
The best way to know whether your child will feel at home is to see the nursery during song and rhyme time.
Request a guided tourGet the brochure
A quick question? WhatsApp +84 919 098 917