Posted by
wufamily
18 yrs ago
My son moved from Taiwan to Hong Kong last year(he is 2) and we are having the hardest time to find him a whole-day nursery that will start in August. All the decent ones are full and the waiting list is hopelessly long. It is just incredible that even at Nursery, you are fighting for space.
Does anyone know of any exceptions? I am almost willing to move my residence if I an find him a good full-day nursery. (Currently, we live in Tsuen Wan due to it is close to my office).
BTW, I find the HKG eduction to be extremely stressful even for the parents. (Or is that thes same across the globe?) I spoke to a local resident the other day and she told me that I can look forward to interviews for K1 (this September). From the conversation, it almost sounded to me that if you do not get into a good kindergarten, your child will get no where in the future. I am here stressing out and took 3 days off work to try to find him a suitable place. There are even homeworks for the little ones!!
Thanks for any recommendation that you can provide. I do not care if the school uses Cantonese, Mandarin (Putunghua), or English.
Please support our advertisers:
Some of the good kindergarten do get full very quickly. But Hong Kong people define 'good' as the means to transfer to better primary schools. They are basically fighting for a better chance to attend the popular primary schools. Depending whether you are looking at the highly sought after local primary schools, private primary schools, international primary schools or allocation of the central system you will need to take action now. For example, going through central allocation to local primary school require a fixed address in the area when you apply at K3. There are also particular KG to feed you into their particular primary school when you require the transfer. If you attend ESF KG you have a better chance to enter their ESF primary schools etc.
You will need to think one step ahead and do some research! If you are not too concern as to which KG your child attends then go into a location where there are a handfull of "good" primary schools and hope to gain access to them when transfer at K3 is required. Good luck!
You should be concern as to which primary school (or group of primary schools) you would like your child to attend and have an address in that location unless you have a particular KG in mind which feeds you directly into their primary school. Afterall there is only so much a child can learn at KG and homework is limited (or you limit it).
Please support our advertisers:
"it almost sounded to me that if you do not get into a good kindergarten, your child will get no where in the future."
Relax. Your child will be fine. Just because everyone else is stressing you don't have to. Good schools are important, but good parenting is much more important.
Please support our advertisers:
Thank you all for your messages. I know good parenting is important but I really feel that I am like a failure myself when it comes to parenting. Sometimes, I wish there is a "owner's manuel" when it comes to parenting. :D
Please support our advertisers:
Totty
18 yrs ago
wufamily........decide whether you want your bubs to go to an international or local primary school.
International school starts at 5 years old and local at 6 years old.
If wanting them to go to an international primary then i would advise sending your bubs to a kindergarten that follows an internatinal curriculum as your bubs will get into the way of thinking, imquiring and learning. If wanting to go to a local orimary then obviously a local kindergarten.
ANy further info needed, just holler!
Please support our advertisers:
"Don't worry, you child will fall into whichever Darwin category they are destined in life, no matter how you perform as a parent."
So you're saying parenting has no impact? I don't agree.
However I agree that a smart and driven kid will succeed regardless of schooling. But a good school helps.
Please support our advertisers:
i dont know much about in other countries. as a local, i was learning piano since 3, i'm a catholic when i was 2-month old. my family moved from new territories to kowloon tong, my parents did all these to me just to get into the famous school.
it's something unhealthy i would say. i love classical music, but not until i was 19/20 years old when i was trying to explore the world more. there are so many people who have a grade 8 piano in ABRSM exam in hong kong while no one really appreciate the music. they do just because they dont feel like giving up.
i dont really encourage local schools. though some schools give good education, the educational system simply screws everything. esp the secondary school, students are lacking choices to study what they like, teachers / parents discouraging people from doing art, design and music. it's not something a child should receive.
im sorry i wasnt really giving a solution. but one thing i know is having parents who would spend time on talking to them, guiding them to discover what they like would be the most crucial thing.
Please support our advertisers:
Are children in HK allowed to just be kids and play after school? It seems like they are an army of studious little robots......very sad.
Please support our advertisers:
Thank you all for your replies. I eventually want my son to go back to the USA for school (say about 7th grade) so I think international school is better. The problem is getting into one. I heard the competition is fierce here.
Like Berlinerin was saying above, my wife and I are thinking about moving to Kowloon Tong or Hong Kong Island. My wife is already looking at different tutor schools for piano and math classes. Gosh!! My son is only 2 years-old!!!
I remember when I was growing up, I really had lots of fun.
BTW, anyone know if that Victoria Kindergarten is any good?
Please support our advertisers:
esf is good- its all round and schools have good music /arts departments as well as solid curriculum. your child will be working at a higher average than the usa average-in all linklihood. the kids are socially quite mixed which I also like,some schools are less so.
Please support our advertisers:
Victoria is so so...are u looking for a bi-lingual school?
Please support our advertisers:
If possible, I would like to have a bi-lingual nursery. However, all the other bi-lingual ones are full (since we did not know the process and is late). THe only possible one would be Victoria. If we fail at that one, it is single lanugage nursery then.
SammyHK, any ohter suggestions?
Thanks!
Please support our advertisers:
Try "Think International" kindergarten/nursery. They have international stream and local stream. There are several branches in Kowloon side and one in N.T. side (Ma On Shan).
Please support our advertisers:
mumz
18 yrs ago
hi wufamily...
i feel for u...i am in t same shoe as you.schholing needs in hk is not only competitive (esp t local familes-they can apply for a few schools and 'try them out for their kids,actually aft each application is confirmed i heard!!)my daughter who is turning 5 this yr is hvg prob finding an intl school nx term!!esf has really long wait list and they usually give preference if t child has siblings there.it's still ok coz yr child is in nursery level but u really hv to be cautious abt yr application into pri 1.
currently my child is in think intl and she enjoys t class there.i would like her to move to esf schools but no placement for her at t moment ;-(.
Can anyone comment on Aust Intl (AISHK) and Christian Alliance Intl School.Appreciate any feedback because I am seeking alternative schools for her.
Please support our advertisers:
Totty
18 yrs ago
wufamily.........
Try PIPS, i know i've mentioned them above as my daughter is there. They have a fab international Nursery class which is taught 50% English and 50% Mandarin and only 18 to a class.
The teachers there are very enthusiastic and passionate and my daughter loves it, she wakes up wanting to go to school, how fab is that!
Please support our advertisers:
Mumz, my daughter just started at the AISHK this year and I can't recommend it highly enough. Some people may slam it because it follows the Australian curriculum which isn't perhaps as highly regarded as some others but the kids all seem happy and and there's a great community feel amongst the parents and teachers. I also like it because they emphasise, especially in the Primary Years that the most important thing kids can be are kids and that they should be out having fun and playing. They get homework but it isn't over the top and they aren't spending hours every night studying. The teachers and staff are very welcoming and the school has fabulous facilities too.
I disagree with little ones being sent of to study maths and piano etc etc at such a young age. I think parents in HK need to relax a little and realize that children will find their way with support and guidance and that too much pressure and study often has the complete opposite effect with kids burning out and hating school and study.
Please support our advertisers:
Hi mumz,
Don't worry, try other international schools if you can not get into the esf schools. My child also went to Think International on the wait list on esf schools for several years. Basically no chance of getting in, as no siblings and you don't actually go up the waiting list since other native speakers from western countries get priority and recruitment of teachers of esf and their dependent children again get priority. Now corporate debenture with esf again have priority.
There are a list of international schools to apply:
Australian International School
American International Schoo
Christian Alliance
International Christian School - new campus in Shatin, very nice
Hong Lok Yuen Primary school
Norgewian International
Kingston
Japanese International school
Korean International school
Canadian International
Discovery College and Renaissance College (PIS under esf)
ISF Academy
Victoria
Obviously you have the popular HKIS, Chinese International School, French & German
This is just the start of the list. There are a few smaller international schools like Delia, Think etc.
Then if you want affordable schools try the direct subsidized schools. English is taught in all subjects except for Chinese classes. Like Pui Kiu, PLK Choi Kai Yau, St. Margaret's and Creative (IB candidate school).
Good Luck!
Please support our advertisers:
Thank you all for your help!
Please support our advertisers:
mumz
18 yrs ago
Hi HKJazz and Babswymak,
Thks for t insight into AISHK and t complete info!It has been quite a nightmare actually being a parent and to get t a child at such tender age to join t HK 'ratrace'.My daughter is a keen learner and would like to get her into a good schhol where she can learn through play.Hv visited AISHK and hv to agree that its a good sch-facilties,teacher and curriculum wise tho t terms are different fm most other intl schools.Am currently waiting for an i/view appt update fm AISHK and Christian Alliance.Hv also applied Jpnese Intl but am currently in t wait list.I stay in NT so schools within Kowloon and Shatin is more appropriate as I also hv a 8mth old in tow,no helper and my husband travels heavily.Fingers crossed and thks again!
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail