How many international nurseries in Mexico City
Mexico City has around 40 international nursery and preschool settings in 2026 delivering English-medium or substantively bilingual early years education to children aged 2 to 6. Around 28 of those settings are the early childhood divisions of larger international schools (the American School Foundation Early Childhood, Greengates Early Years, the Lycee Franco-Mexicain Maternelle, the Colegio Aleman Alexander von Humboldt Kindergarten, Westhill Institute Early Childhood, the Edron Academy nursery and reception years, and others). The remaining 12 settings are standalone international nurseries and preschools serving the 2 to 5 age band as a feeder route into mainstream international schooling. The Mexican early years tradition is strong: most international schools open early childhood divisions from age 2 or 3, with rich provision through to age 6.
The international nursery cluster sits across the same residential corridors as the wider international school network, with the strongest density in the Bosques de las Lomas to Lomas de Chapultepec corridor, the Polanco-Tecamachalco corridor, and the southern Coyoacan-San Angel corridor. Around 40 per cent of international nursery enrolment comes from international expatriate families on corporate or diplomatic postings; the remainder is Mexican families seeking strong English language exposure from the earliest years. The expatriate share is highest at the standalone international nurseries serving 2 to 5 year olds, where flexibility matches the typical 2 to 3 year corporate posting cycle.
The three-and-up versus two-and-up question
International nurseries in Mexico City split into two main groups: the three-and-up settings (starting at age 3) and the two-and-up settings (starting at age 2). The three-and-up model is the more traditional pattern, aligned with the Mexican preescolar system that runs from age 3 to 6 and is part of the SEP-mandated basic education. The American School Foundation, the Lycee Franco-Mexicain, the Colegio Aleman Alexander von Humboldt, Westhill Institute and Greengates all start their early years provision at age 3. The two-and-up model serves dual-working-parent families and expatriate families on shorter postings. Standalone international nurseries like Kinder Bambinos, Tigger's Place, Little Sunshine and Polanco Day School run from age 2 with full-day provision.
The transition from a standalone two-and-up nursery to a feeder international school at age 3 or 4 is a key decision point for families. Standalone nurseries with explicit feeder relationships make this seamless: most channel directly into specific international schools for the kindergarten or reception year. Families using a standalone nursery without a feeder relationship should plan the international school application in parallel with the nursery enrolment. Our Mexico City international schools overview walks through the full feeder map.
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Illustrative example early years settings
The five settings below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each is the early childhood division of an established international school in Mexico City.
The American School Foundation Early Childhood in Bosques de las Lomas runs from age 3 to 5 (Pre-K through to Kindergarten) within the wider ASF campus. Around 250 pupils across the early childhood years, with the strongest in-school progression onto the ASF lower school.
Greengates Early Years in Lomas de Tecamachalco runs the English Foundation Stage (age 3 to 5) within the broader Greengates campus. British curriculum framework, with English as the dominant medium of instruction from age 3. Around 120 pupils across the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Lycee Franco-Mexicain Maternelle runs the French maternelle programme (age 3 to 6) across the Polanco and Coyoacan campuses. AEFE homologated and structured to feed directly into the elementaire and college stages.
Colegio Aleman Alexander von Humboldt Kindergarten runs the German Kindergarten programme (age 3 to 6) across the Norte, Sur, Poniente and La Herradura campuses. Designed to feed directly into the Grundschule (elementary) at age 6.
Westhill Institute Early Childhood in Bosques de las Lomas runs the early years programme from age 3 to 5 within the wider Westhill campus. Bilingual Spanish-English instruction throughout, feeding directly into the lower school.
Fees and the half-day versus full-day band
International nursery and preschool fees in Mexico City split into two bands. Half-day morning provision (typically 08:30 to 12:30) at the standalone international nurseries runs MXN 80,000 to MXN 140,000 a year. Full-day provision (08:30 to 15:30 or later) runs MXN 130,000 to MXN 260,000 a year depending on the setting. Early childhood divisions of premium international schools (ASF, Greengates, Westhill, Lycee Franco-Mexicain, Humboldt) charge MXN 180,000 to MXN 320,000 a year for full-day provision. The fee gap reflects the staffing ratios (1 to 8 at premium settings, 1 to 12 at standalone nurseries), the language-of-instruction model (full English versus bilingual), and the integration with the wider school campus and amenities.
Most international nurseries charge separately for after-school care, meals, transport and uniforms. Half-day attending families typically face MXN 30,000 to MXN 60,000 a year in additional costs; full-day families typically face MXN 50,000 to MXN 90,000 a year on top of the headline tuition. Our Mexico City fees guide walks through the full all-in early years cost picture in more detail.
Where international early years families live
International early years families in Mexico City cluster in the same residential corridors as the wider international school market. The Bosques de las Lomas to Lomas de Chapultepec corridor is the highest-density expatriate early years zone, anchored on the ASF, Westhill and Greengates early childhood divisions. Polanco hosts the Lycee Franco-Mexicain maternelle and several standalone international nurseries (Polanco Day School, Kinder Bambinos, Tigger's Place). Cuajimalpa, Santa Fe and the western Interlomas corridor host the newer corporate-expatriate community, with the Colegio Aleman Alexander von Humboldt La Herradura kindergarten and several smaller bilingual nurseries serving this zone. Our Mexico City neighbourhoods guide walks through the residential trade-offs for families with young children, including air quality and altitude considerations.
Admissions and the feeder school question
The Mexico City international nursery year runs from August to June. Premium international school early childhood divisions open applications for the following August intake in October and close priority assessment by January. Standalone international nurseries typically run a rolling admissions model with year-round availability subject to capacity. The defining decision for families is the feeder school question: most premium international schools give significant admissions priority to early childhood pupils continuing onto the lower school, with reception or kindergarten capacity reserved for in-house early childhood progressions. Families using a standalone nursery without a feeder relationship should apply to their target international school in parallel with the nursery enrolment, planning at least 12 months ahead of the lower school start date. The SEP requires authenticated previous school records (where applicable) translated into Spanish for all transfer pupils.
Frequently asked questions
How many international nurseries are there in Mexico City?
Mexico City has around 40 international nursery and preschool settings in 2026 delivering English-medium or substantively bilingual early years education to children aged 2 to 6. Around 28 are the early childhood divisions of larger international schools; 12 are standalone international nurseries serving the 2 to 5 age band as feeder routes.
What is the difference between three-and-up and two-and-up nurseries?
Three-and-up settings start at age 3, aligned with the Mexican SEP preescolar system. The American School Foundation, Lycee Franco-Mexicain, Humboldt, Westhill and Greengates all start at age 3. Two-and-up settings start at age 2 and serve dual-working-parent and expatriate families. Standalone nurseries like Kinder Bambinos and Polanco Day School run from age 2 with full-day provision.
How much do international nurseries cost in Mexico City?
Half-day provision (08:30 to 12:30) at standalone international nurseries runs MXN 80,000 to MXN 140,000 a year. Full-day provision runs MXN 130,000 to MXN 260,000 a year. Early childhood divisions of premium international schools charge MXN 180,000 to MXN 320,000 a year for full-day provision.
Do international nurseries feed directly into international schools?
Most premium international schools give significant admissions priority to early childhood pupils continuing onto the lower school. Families using a standalone nursery without a feeder relationship should apply to their target international school in parallel with the nursery enrolment, planning at least 12 months ahead of the lower school start date.
When should I apply to an international nursery in Mexico City?
Premium international school early childhood divisions open applications for the August intake in October and close priority assessment by January. Standalone international nurseries typically run a rolling admissions model with year-round availability subject to capacity. Plan 9 to 12 months ahead for premium settings.
