United Nations
Local Expatriate Spouse Association
For UN international staff and their families
Schools
Playgroups and Pre-Schools
There are several good pre-schools. Fiji is a lovely relaxed place to raise small children. Visit each and see which you and your child like best.
by Naoki Takyo
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School of Angels: Premises downstairs at the Marist Brothers Primary School, Suva Street, Toorak, Ph: 330 2013, 999-2277 angels@connect.com.fj : (a) Playgroup: 12-18 months to 3 years; 8.30am to 10.30am; can attend from 1 to 5 days per week; child must be accompanied by a nanny or parent (b) Headstart: 3 to 4 years; 11am to 1pm; can attend 2, 3 or 4 days per week (c) Kindergarten: 4 to 5 years; 9am to 2.30pm 5 days a week.
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Little Ones Learn Center: Location: 18 Mead Road, Tamavua, Suva (opp. MH Supermarket Tamavua), Contact: Ph: 332 4457 / 773 1866; Email: littleones@connect.com.fj, Centre Director: Analesi Tuicaumia (a) Playgroup: 2 to 3 years; 8.30am to 11.30am, Monday to Friday; Please discuss with class teacher for care and support needs. (b) Pre-school: 3 to 4 years; 8.30am to 11.45am; child must be toilet trained. (c) Kindergarten: 5 year olds; 8.30am – 2.00pm (d) Grade 1 & 2: 6-7 year olds; 8.30am – 2.30pm
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Little Giggles Day Care Centre: 14 Telau Drive, Laucala Bay, Ph: 941-4291, 943-0154, littlegigglesfiji@yahoo.com: 6 weeks to 5 years (takes children up to 8 years during school holidays); 7am to 6pm on weekdays, and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays and public holidays. As it is a day care centre, the staff to children ratio is high, and even young children do not need to be accompanied by a nanny or parent. Also offers after-school care for children up to 14 yrs.
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International School Suva (ISS): Siga Road, Laucala Beach Estate, Ph: 339-3000, Primary Ph: 339-3560: Early Childhood:
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ECH1: 3 yo; Mon-Fri 8am - 1pm
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ECH2: 4 yo; Mon-Fri 8am - 2:30pm
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Reception: 5 yo; Mon-Fri 8am - 2:30pm
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Waldorf Playgroup/ Kindergarten: Contact Shirlyn, 240 Richards Road, Domain; Ph: 926 7800; waldorfinfiji@gmail.com: Playgroup: 6months-2y.o. every Thursday 9am-12pm; Lai-lai group: 2-4 y.o every day 8:30-3pm; Kindergarten 4-6 y.o. From 8:30am to 3pm. Lovely creative kindergarten with a loyal following.
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Informal playgroups: These involve either nannies and children or parents and children. They tend to be based within a specific area, are held once a week, and rotate around the houses of the children involved. Ask around when you find your long-term accommodation, and start one of your own if you can’t find an existing group.
Fiji schools have a three-term year, taking short breaks in April/May and August, and a long summer break in December/January.
Primary Schools
Primary schools are reasonable in Suva. There are also numerous religion-based schools – Christian, Muslim and Hindu.
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International School Suva (ISS): Siga Road, Laucala Beach Estate, Ph: 339-3300, Primary Ph: 339-3560; info@international.school.fj:. ISS follows the International Baccalaureate Primary and Middle Years Programmes in the primary school.
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The Learning Centre Primary School: 42 Matanitobua Street, Samabula, Ph: 337-2289: Grades 1 to 8. Co-educational, non-denominational education in a multi-racial environment. Small class sizes. There is often a waiting list, and there is an interview-based selection process.
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Multiple Intelligence Centre: 14 MacGregor Road Ph: 337 3772, 996-2251, info@intelligencefiji.org: Grades 1 to 8. Follows a New Zealand curriculum. Child-centred approach which focuses on each child as an individual. Identifies eight different intelligences as a learning method; identifies strengths and weaknesses of each child as a teaching method.
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Yat Sen Primary School: Laucala Bay Road, Ph: 331-3131: Based on the Chinese curriculum. Co-educational.
Secondary Schools
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International School Suva (ISS): Siga Road, Laucala Beach Estate, Ph: 339-3300, info@international.school.fj. Caters for IB (International Baccalaureate), ICGSE (British) and ACT (Australian) exams.
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Yat Sen Secondary School: Laucala Bay Road, Ph: 331-3131: Based on the Chinese curriculum. Co-educational.
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Suva Grammar School: Vuya Road, Muanikau: Co-educational.
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Marist Brothers High School: Bau Street, Flagstaff, Ph: 330-2520: Boys only.