Etonkids International Kindergarten is a bilingual Montessori early years provider operating in Shanghai. The Etonkids group began in Beijing and built its model on the Montessori method, running nursery and kindergarten programmes for children from around 18 months to 6 years. As an early years setting it is priced below the city's full K to 12 international schools, and it is best understood as a feeder stage rather than a through school.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Bilingual Montessori early years programme; no external exam boards at this stage |
| Stages | Nursery and kindergarten, roughly 18 months to 6 years |
| Founded | Etonkids group founded in Beijing; Shanghai branch founding not published |
| Accreditation | Montessori credentialled teachers (AMI, AMS or MACTE); formal school accreditation not published |
| Fee band | Early years tier, below the K to 12 premium bands in Shanghai |
| Campus area | Shanghai kindergarten sites; confirm the current address with the school |
Curriculum and academics
Etonkids teaches through the Montessori approach, with prepared classrooms, mixed age groups and child led activity at the centre of the day. The youngest children focus on language, early numeracy, sensorial work and practical life skills, while the Casa stage for three to six year olds extends into mathematics, science, geography and the arts. Teaching is bilingual in English and Mandarin, which suits both expatriate families and local families who want an English language Montessori start.
Because this is an early years setting, there are no IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications at this stage. The practical question for parents is which primary school the child moves on to, so it helps to read alongside our guide to international schools in Shanghai and plan the transition into a through school early.
Planning the next step after kindergarten?
Put up to three primary schools side by side on curriculum, fees and location before you commit.
Etonkids fees
Etonkids charges early years fees, which sit below the full international school tiers we track in our Shanghai international school fees guide. Kindergarten pricing in Shanghai is typically a fraction of the RMB 280,000 to 360,000 premium band paid for senior school places, though Montessori settings vary widely. Etonkids does not publish a single citywide figure, so treat any number you see as illustrative and ask the specific branch for its current schedule.
Beyond the headline fee, budget for a registration or application charge, a deposit, meals and optional bus costs, and check whether pricing is quoted per term or per year. Model the full annual figure with our fee calculator and put two or three settings on the compare tool before you decide.
Admissions
Etonkids runs rolling admissions through the year, which is normal for early years settings where places open as children move up or move on. Families typically enquire, tour a classroom, complete an application and place a deposit to hold a spot. There is no academic entrance test at this age; the focus is on the child settling and on the fit between the family and the Montessori method.
If you are relocating mid year, ask about immediate availability in the relevant age band, since the most popular sites fill their Casa rooms first. Confirm the documents required, including passport and vaccination records, well ahead of your move.
Location and who goes there
Etonkids operates kindergarten sites within Shanghai, generally close to the residential districts where younger expatriate families and dual income local families cluster. Because early years children travel short distances, families almost always choose the branch nearest home, so the practical catchment is small and neighbourhood specific. Confirm the exact address and the surrounding district directly with the school.
The community is a mix of expatriate and local Chinese families drawn to a bilingual Montessori start. To weigh how a Montessori early years stage fits with the primary schools families move into next, start from the Shanghai city hub, which maps fees, curricula and where international families live.
Etonkids reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Etonkids International Kindergarten in Shanghai. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have gathered enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended an Etonkids kindergarten we would value your account of the classrooms, the teaching, settling in and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Etonkids International Kindergarten fees?
Etonkids charges early years fees, which sit below the RMB 280,000 to 360,000 premium band paid for senior international school places in Shanghai. The group does not publish one citywide figure, so ask the specific branch for its current schedule and budget for registration, a deposit, meals and bus on top.
What curriculum does Etonkids follow?
Etonkids teaches through the Montessori method, with prepared classrooms, mixed age groups and child led learning, delivered bilingually in English and Mandarin. As an early years setting it does not run IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications.
What ages does Etonkids take?
Etonkids runs nursery and kindergarten programmes for children from around 18 months to 6 years, with a nursery stage for the youngest and a Casa stage for three to six year olds.
When do Etonkids applications open?
Etonkids admits children on a rolling basis through the year as places open. Families enquire, tour a classroom, apply and place a deposit; there is no academic entrance test at this age.
Is Etonkids a good kindergarten?
Etonkids is an established Montessori early years group with bilingual teaching. We publish ratings only from verified reviews, so visit a classroom, check the teacher credentials and consider how the setting feeds into your chosen primary school.
