I went up to see the director of the school (they are called directors and not headmasters or headmistresses). I sat down at her desk and explained to her using only my hands and by pointing at my kid and at a calender on the wall, that I wanted to see if my kid could attend her kindergarten. I hoped junior would behave and smile sweetly but instead he made a bad smell and screamed. Despite junior tantrum, she understood me regardless of my lack of Russian, as I am good with my hands and can make myself understood in most languages without speaking the language. You should see me, it's a comedy dance of acting, polished by years of teaching English and being too stupid and too lazy to learn any other language. She gave me some information about the school and I left and went home.
Subsequently, I later found out that you have to register for a place and can apply for up to three places for a Kindergarten in Moscow. This new system came into being last year. If you are feeling brave, you can have a read through the Department of Education Moscow website, use Google Chrome to translate it. We don't want to pay for a private one as its far too expensive such as P'titCref where it's almost 4,000 GBP, 4,521 Euro or 6,400 USD per 'trimester' (academic term), so the next option is to use a cheaper Russian state kindergarten. Places are given by priority to people from Moscow who have a 'permanent registration' in Moscow. We dutifully completed the online questionnaire, all of it being in Russian and hit the submit button. We will now wait and pray.
I don't know how it works in the United Kingdom or in any other country? All I do know, is that trying to find a decent Kindergarten or school place for your kid is absolutely vital for any parent, regardless of their income, location or circumstance.
I must confess, I feel tempted to start a school here myself, many have tried and succeeded, although I am sure the bureaucracy could be a total nightmare. Owning a Kindergarten in Moscow, is like owning a medical centre in Moscow, you can basically print your own bank notes.
Note: I dont believe it is necessary to learn Russian unless you plan on moving to Moscow long term. Most under 40's speak some English.
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Do you really want to send your tot to a russian state kindergarten??? Poor kid.... Say good-bye to your kid being independent, creative and expressing any individual mental activity. The first word he'll learn -"Nel'zya"("Not allowed"). Poor, poor kid.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous what's your name? Thanks for the negativity...... but I do appreciate your opinion. Do you have direct experience of them in Moscow?
ReplyDeleteMy kid needs some strictness, we won't live here long term so its only for a period of time and will be an experience....besides we can't pay and won't pay any of the money grabbing thieves that parade here as private kindergartens in Moscow.
Every kindergarden is different. Some of them can be good, some not. It depends on director, tutors (I don't know how do you calles people who are working with children as a teacher, sorry) ). It's better to send a child to kindergarden: he well be more sociable, less spoiled by parents attention and more independent.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your posts I have a lot of thoughts about what are you writing, but I'm definite in one thing: you should make Russian friends, who will give you some pieces of advice about different stuff and help you with Russian language) Life will be more easier and more enjoyable here)
Katillo, Russian friends would be good but I don't ever meet any Russians to make friends. You are right.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was "How can he live here more than 1 year and don't meet any Russian to make friend?!". To be honest, I'm reading your blog because I like your motherland - England and would like to live there for a while, would like to find out what the Brits. I suppose if I ever have an opportunity to spend some time in Britain I'll have absolutely the same problems as you have here. Locals are reserved especially when you don't know their language. But Russians are still friendly and talkative people)
ReplyDeleteI would like to offer my help if you have some questions about different stuff. It will be interesting to me to help you and to speak with you and usefull for you :)
Katillo read my 'blog profile' or 'about me'. I am a SAHD at home looking after my kid how can I meet Russians? Everything is written as to my situation here.
ReplyDeleteI go to play grounds but they (women) are cautious of a man and many don't speak English. Read through my blog posts about it. I agree with you I would love to have one or two Russian friends and I like Russians and Russia just not Moscow. Moscow is as you say, a big place where we are just other faces in the crowd.
I appreciate your help and advice.
I've read your profile and a lot of your posts. You might go somewhere in Moscow with your family when you have day off. To the park, cafee or somewhere else. Thats why I had that question at first.
ReplyDeleteSorry if I give impression that I'm a person who climbs own business, actually I don't want to offend or disturb you)
Katillo
ReplyDeleteDon't worry you do not disturb me at all, I know you care. I have tried most things you have said. You understand English very well. Remember my English is real English and British English.
You can always email me under 'contact me' if you want to chat or ask anything about the UK. I'll help you.
Good luck finding a kindergarten! Just letting you know I've given you the Leibster Blog Award. I really enjoy reading your blog and getting honest insight into another culture.
ReplyDeletehttp://ourhandmadejourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/yay-we-won-award.html
It's good that you do not mind that I wrote such comments)
ReplyDeleteI've mentioned that you use British English. I'm studing it now. It's not difficult to understand language if you've studied it for a while (in my case 16 years, only one year ago I started to learn it seriously) or live in country where it is native. For instance, I understand Ukrainian, which is similar to Russian and Polish, but can't speak Ukranian. Maybe you know Slovakian a bit if you lived there? In English mine biggest problem is pronunciation. I adore British pronunciation, especially English from that very moment when I heard it for the first time in London 4 years ago. But it's difficult to imitate it though my teacher corrects me every time) I had terrible pronunciation when I have been to London. For instance, I used to say /sɪŋk/, not /θɪŋk/. Now I can imagine how funny it sounded for locals))
And maybe you've noticed that my second biggest problem is tenses =D
I have big interest about Britain, I've read books about it and British people, but the best way to learn country, its people, customs and culture is to speak with native. I'll write to you when I'll have questions, thanks for your cordiality.
I hope that you are not bored with my long comments :)
If you need some advice or insight into the system, just ask. We are registering our son for the Fall. Bill
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill. Your wife is Russian what chance do we have as Non Russians in getting a place, do you have any tips or opions on State kindergartens?
ReplyDeleteThanks for any ideas.
I just found your blog and it's funny, because a few minutes ago, I tweeted that we finally (!)finished our Kindergarten schooling. And we happy: 4 years of frustration for the child and parent alike
ReplyDeleteGood luck for you.
Ilkhom