CHIPS – Where learning begins. In English

Founded in 2014, CHIPS — Chișinău International Preschool is a welcoming international learning community for children and families in Moldova. As the first preschool in Moldova certified as a Cambridge Early Years Centre, we provide a high-quality, child-centred education that gives every child a strong, joyful foundation for lifelong learning.

Our mission is to nurture happy, confident, curious, and compassionate children in a safe environment where they feel known, respected, and encouraged to be themselves. We believe that the early years are a unique and important time: a time for children to play, wonder, communicate, build friendships, take risks, and discover the world with confidence.

Our Cambridge Early Years programme supports the whole child. Through purposeful play, inquiry, storytelling, music, art, movement, outdoor learning, early literacy, mathematics, science, and creative exploration, children develop the skills and dispositions they need for a successful transition to primary school and beyond.

At CHIPS, learning takes place in English within a diverse international community. Our experienced team includes English, Romanian, and Russian-speaking educators who support children as they gain confidence in an English-speaking classroom while respecting and celebrating their home language, identity, and culture.

We work in close partnership with families, because children thrive when home and school share trust, communication, and a common purpose. Together, we help children grow not only as learners, but also as caring and responsible members of their community.

Our Values

Every child is unique
We see and value each child as an individual. We recognise different interests, personalities, abilities, cultures, and learning styles, and we support every child to make progress at their own pace.

A safe and caring community
Children learn best when they feel secure and loved. We create warm, predictable, and respectful spaces where children feel confident to express their ideas, emotions, and needs.

Learning through play
Play is at the heart of early childhood learning. Through play, children explore, imagine, test ideas, negotiate, solve problems, and develop the confidence to keep trying. We make learning meaningful, active, and enjoyable.

Curiosity and inquiry
We encourage children to ask questions, investigate, observe, make connections, and share their discoveries. We want every child to see themselves as a capable learner and thinker.

Kindness, empathy, and respect
We teach children to listen, share, cooperate, care for others, and respect differences. We believe that kindness is a strength and that every child can contribute positively to their community.

Confidence and independence
We support children to make choices, take responsibility for age-appropriate tasks, solve everyday challenges, and feel proud of their growing abilities. We celebrate effort, resilience, and progress.

Inclusion and international-mindedness
CHIPS is a diverse community in the heart of Chișinău. We welcome families from Moldova and around the world, value multilingualism, and help children develop openness, respect, and curiosity about other people and cultures.

Strong foundations for the future
Our Cambridge Early Years approach develops communication, literacy, mathematics, creativity, physical development, personal and social skills, and an understanding of the world. We prepare children not simply for the next stage of school, but for a lifelong relationship with learning.

Partnership with families
Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. We build trusting relationships with families through open communication, shared celebrations, and a commitment to each child’s wellbeing and development.

Joy and wonder
Childhood should be filled with happiness, imagination, friendship, and discovery. At CHIPS, we protect the wonder of the early years and help children approach each day with enthusiasm.