Best schools in Midlevels/timing to register

Hi, we have recently had a baby and wondering when we need to consider registering our baby for a preschool/school. To us, it seems way too soon to be thinking about this but friends have had trouble getting their kids into their preferred school which has scared us a little.


We live in Midlevels at the moment, can anyone recommend a good school in our area? I understand that some of the schools are zoned so that you can only send your kids there if you live in the area. Is that right? Also understand that schooling (even preschool) is very expensive here - is anyone able to give us a rough estimate. My husband's work does pay a contribution towards schooling but we'd like to see how much we will need to pay ourselves.


Thanks

You probably dont need to consider registering yet.

For primary school which start around 5yrs you need to take a look at during the spring of the year ahead of when your child would be starting. We are at esf and the current price is HKD16k per term with 3 terms, but this goes up next year. International schools do have a longer lead time on applications.

For preschool maybe in a year you could take a look. We arrived in Dec 2006 and found a place immediately for our then 3 yr old - there seemed to be a lot of choice of preschools and we got our first choice and times we wanted. It depends how many days etc in terms of costs. the Playtimes magazine which you see in doctors surgeries or you can buy a copy has listing / ads for many of them.

Thanks kiwimmc. Do you mind me asking which ESF school you have your children at? I am a bit clueless but what is the main benefit of the ESF schools over the private schools (like Kellet) or is it the other way around?

we are at the esf on the peak and like the community of it.

Private schools typically have smaller class size (we are 30 to a class), and many people choose private due to education systems of home country - for example we looked at AIS but decided that the distance wasnt for us, however I know of people in midlevels who do AIS from preschool. It is really personal preference. I would suggest you take a look at a few and see which schools fit your values etc - most run a tour and then take it from there. Also you may want to see how your childs personality develops - mine is a social, easy going child who makes her way ahead in a big class, but others I know have said that this wouldnt be ideal for their children.

ESF is zoned (ie you have to live in the zone to get into a particular school) and I think those zones change a little each year depending on the number of children who apply.