Business Details
23 Years
experience
Mandarin Immersion Preschool for Ages 2-5 in Durham
Durham Chinese School has been dedicated to Mandarin language and cultural education for preschool-aged children since our founding in 2003. Originally established as Durham Chinese School, we transitioned in 2011 to focus exclusively on early childhood education, creating a nurturing environment where children aged 2-5 develop Mandarin proficiency through immersive language instruction, art, music, and math. Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention, with a maximum of 18 students per session, fostering a sense of community and security that supports optimal learning.Our team of native Mandarin-speaking educators brings decades of combined experience, including formal teaching certifications and specialized training in early childhood development. We prioritize creating a warm, creative atmosphere where children build confidence alongside language skills, following public school calendars while offering summer camp programs. Our commitment to non-discrimination ensures all families feel welcome, and our low student-to-teacher ratios reflect our belief that safety and connection are foundational to effective education.
Services
Mandarin Immersion Classes
Art and Music Programs
Summer Camp Sessions
Math Foundations Instruction
Cultural Education
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer native Mandarin-speaking, certified teachers with decades of experience.
- Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention for ages 2-5.
- We specialize in early childhood Mandarin immersion education.
- Summer programs extend learning opportunities beyond the academic year.
- Our nurturing environment prioritizes child safety and community building.
Services
Mandarin Immersion Classes
Our Mandarin immersion program teaches children aged 2-5 through interactive language lessons led by native-speaking educators. Students develop speaking, listening, and cultural understanding while engaging in age-appropriate activities. The curriculum integrates Mandarin into daily routines to create natural learning experiences.
Art and Music Programs
Cultural art and music classes introduce traditional Chinese practices through hands-on projects and musical exploration. These activities reinforce language learning while developing fine motor skills and creativity. Lessons incorporate seasonal themes and historical context to deepen cultural appreciation.
Summer Camp Sessions
Summer camps provide continued Mandarin learning through themed activities from June to August. The extended-day format maintains language immersion while offering recreational opportunities. Camps follow the same educational philosophy as our academic-year programs with flexible enrollment options.
Math Foundations Instruction
Math concepts are taught in Mandarin to reinforce language skills while building numerical understanding. Lessons use manipulatives and real-world examples to make mathematical thinking accessible for preschoolers. Instruction aligns with developmental milestones for early childhood education.
Cultural Education
Cultural education components teach traditions, holidays, and social practices through storytelling and celebrations. Students experience Chinese customs firsthand during seasonal festivals and special events. This holistic approach strengthens language retention through contextual learning experiences.
People
JiaYing (Gawin)
Director
Taiwanese-American founder with lead-teacher certification and over 20 years of Mandarin education experience. Developed the preschool model to combine her passion for language preservation with early childhood development principles.
Zheng Chen
Teacher for ages 2-3
Native Beijing speaker with Early Childhood Education Certificate. Has taught Mandarin to hundreds of Triangle area students since 2006, emphasizing patience and student empowerment in language acquisition.
Tianlin
Teacher for ages 3-5
Former Chinese elementary school teacher with architecture background. Specializes in curriculum development for older preschoolers, combining structured learning with creative expression in Mandarin instruction.
Chiu Tsao
Substitute Teacher
Taiwan native with 20+ years teaching experience, including Kumon math instruction. Brings multilingual expertise and intergenerational teaching perspective to classroom instruction since relocating to North Carolina in 2018.
Questions
What age range do you serve?
We accept children aged 2-5 years old for our morning preschool sessions.
Are your teachers native Mandarin speakers?
All our lead teachers are native Mandarin speakers with formal education backgrounds.
Do you follow public school calendars?
We generally follow local public school schedules with summer programs available.
What is your class size?
Maximum enrollment is 18 students per morning session to ensure personalized attention.
Do you offer summer programs?
Yes, we provide summer camp sessions from June to August with extended hours.
Is your curriculum focused only on language?
Our program integrates Mandarin through language, math, art, and music instruction.
