Schools & families

Public schooling is free and compulsory for ages 5 to 16. Confirm with the Ministry of Education which residency statuses qualify for free places. Non-Barbadian students usually need a student visa to enrol.

International options include The Codrington School in St. John (an IB World School for ages 3 to 18) and Lockerbie College (small classes, ages 8 to 18). Ask each for its current fee schedule.

Terms run roughly September to December, January to April, and April to July; exact dates change yearly. Exams: CXC/CSEC at 16 (similar to GCSEs) and CAPE at 18 (similar to A-Levels).

1. Shortlist schools.
2. Contact them to ask about places.
3. Attend a placement visit or assessment.
4. Accept a place.
5. Pay any deposit.

At around ages 10 to 12, students sit the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE), which decides secondary placement. Private and international schools set their own application windows, waiting lists and deposits, so contact them early, ideally six months before you move.

Typically: birth certificate, passport, previous school reports, immunisation records and proof of address. Non-Barbadian children usually need a student visa.

Ask each school whether records need to be apostilled or translated. It's much easier to arrange before you leave.

Nursery (ages 3 to 4), primary (4 to 11) and secondary (11 to 16, or to 18 for A-Levels). International schools follow their own curriculum stages, so check how year groups map to your home system.

Options include daycares, preschools and childminders. Visit in person and ask about staff qualifications, ratios, hours and monthly fees, since there's no reliable published price list.

Calmer beaches on the west and south coasts, nature parks, sports clubs and swimming lessons. Term and holiday dates change yearly, so check the Ministry of Education calendar when planning trips.