Childcare in Grenada: Day Care, Preschool and Nannies Compared

Families moving to Grenada for work, study or retirement with young children usually ask the same question in the first week: who will look after the children? The island has a well-established network of day care centres and preschools, many run privately or by churches, alongside a strong tradition of family-based care and paid nannies. What it lacks is a single online directory where you can compare them, so most families find childcare through word of mouth: colleagues, neighbours, churches and other parents at the beach or the supermarket are the real directory, and a recommendation from someone whose children have attended a centre counts for more than any advertisement.

This guide explains the types of care available, how they are regulated, what to look for on a visit, and how much to budget. Costs below are indicative ranges and vary widely by area and provider; confirm current fees directly.

How early childhood education is organised

In Grenada, compulsory schooling starts at age five. Before that, children can attend early childhood centres: day care for babies and toddlers, and preschools (also called pre-primary or nursery schools) for children from about three until they start primary school. The Ministry of Education oversees early childhood education through its early childhood unit, and private educational institutions need a permit from the Minister to operate.

In practice the sector is mixed. Some preschools are attached to primary schools, many are run by churches or community organisations, and a large number are private businesses ranging from a home-based group of a few toddlers to purpose-built centres with several classrooms. Standards vary accordingly, which is why visiting in person matters more here than reading a brochure.

The main teaching language is English. Many preschools follow a structured curriculum that prepares children for entry into primary school, including early literacy, numeracy and social skills, and children often wear a simple uniform.

The main types of childcare

Day care centres (infants and toddlers). These take babies from a few months old up to about three. Hours usually cover a working day, often from around 7.30 in the morning until late afternoon. Many families in St George's and the south choose a centre near work rather than home because of traffic.

Preschools (about three to five). More structured, with a term calendar similar to the school year. Some operate only in the morning; others offer a full day. Places at popular preschools near Grand Anse, St George's and the True Blue and Lance aux Epines area can fill early in the year.

Nannies and helpers. Hiring a nanny, sometimes combined with housekeeping, is common among working families and expatriate households. Arrangements range from a few afternoons a week to live-out full-time care.

Babysitters for evenings. Hotels and villa managers can sometimes arrange babysitting for visitors. Residents tend to rely on trusted contacts, church networks and recommendations from other parents.

University-linked options. Families connected to St George's University sometimes find childcare through the university community and its parent groups, which can be a useful starting point for newcomers.

How to choose a day care or preschool

There is no public ranking of providers, so assessing a centre yourself is essential. A practical process:

1. Ask for recommendations from colleagues, neighbours, your church or parent groups, and draw up a shortlist of three or four centres within a sensible distance.
2. Visit during a normal working morning, not only at a pre-arranged showing. Watch how staff speak to children and how they handle a crying child.
3. Ask whether the centre holds a current permit or registration from the Ministry of Education, and how many children each staff member looks after in each age group.
4. Check safety basics: secure gates, shaded outdoor play, clean toilets and nappy areas, drinking water, screened windows or mosquito control, and a clear procedure for illness and emergencies.
5. Ask what happens when the power or water goes off, and whether there is a backup water tank or generator.
6. Confirm hours, holidays, late pick-up rules, what food is provided, and whether nappies, wipes and spare clothes must be supplied by parents.
7. Get the fees, registration charge and payment schedule in writing before you commit.

Hiring a nanny: what to check and how to employ properly

Most nannies are found by recommendation. When interviewing, ask about previous childcare roles and take up references, ideally by speaking directly to previous employers. Many families ask for a police certificate of character, which the Royal Grenada Police Force issues on application; it is a reasonable request for anyone caring for children in your home. Agree in advance what tasks are included, such as cooking for the children, light housework or school runs.

A nanny is an employee. Employers in Grenada are expected to follow labour law, including the national minimum wage for domestic workers, rules on hours and holidays, and registration and contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The details change from time to time, so check current requirements with the Department of Labour and NIS before agreeing a wage, and put the main terms in a written agreement.

Non-nationals who want to work as nannies in Grenada need a work permit, so if you are hiring someone who is not Grenadian or a CARICOM national entitled to work, check the position first.

From preschool to primary school, and care after school

Primary schools in Grenada run on a three-term year from September to July, and the school day usually ends in the early or middle afternoon. That leaves working parents with a gap between the end of school and the end of the working day, which is often filled by family members, a nanny who collects the children, or after-school programmes run by some schools, churches and private providers. Ask about after-school options when you choose a primary school, because they are not universal.

Places at primary schools are arranged through the school and, for public schools, in line with Ministry of Education procedures, so start the process several months before your child turns five. Schools normally ask for a birth certificate, immunisation records and proof of address, and for non-national children, evidence of the family's immigration status. Families planning on a private or international school should approach the school early, as some have waiting lists.

The long summer break from July to early September is the time when childcare is hardest to arrange. Summer camps fill part of that gap; book them early, as popular camps fill quickly.

Costs and common mistakes

Fees vary with the area, the age of the child and the hours. As a rough guide, which you should confirm locally:

• Day care and preschool fees at private centres commonly range from a few hundred Eastern Caribbean dollars a month at community and church-run centres to well over EC$1,000 a month at premium centres in the south.
• Registration fees, uniforms, books and snacks are often charged on top of monthly fees.
• Nanny pay is usually agreed weekly or monthly; it must not fall below the legal minimum and should account for NIS contributions.
• Mistake: choosing on price or distance alone without visiting during normal hours.
• Mistake: assuming every centre follows the same holiday calendar. Many close for a period in August and over Christmas.
• Mistake: paying a nanny informally with no written terms, which leads to disputes about holidays, sick days and notice.
• Mistake: forgetting that a child moving into primary school at five will need a school place arranged in advance.

Frequently asked questions