Your child and you are now ready to start kindergarten. It’s an enormous initial step, and it can be a bit intimidating. In the end, it’s your child’s first experience in the school system, and it will lay the groundwork for future achievements.
The city of Hong Kong, kindergartens cater to children aged between 3 and six years old, while youngsters younger than 3 the right to attend the child care center (CCC). Kindergarten teachers are required to have a Qualified Kindergarten Teacher (QKT) qualification or equivalent. There are plenty of choices for parents to choose from. The curriculum, the length of the school days or the size of classes are among the top things parents should consider. Due to the huge international population as well as the fact that Hong Kong is a global city, Hong Kong is a popular choice for parents. Hong Kong schooling system offers different kindergartens.
It is a daunting task to navigate through this maze of information. could be overwhelming to take in, which is why we have put together tips to help you find the best school located in Hong Kong for your little one(s).
Kindergartens that are public or private
The most important considerations are your budget and the number of schools in your local area. This will help you decide if you should consider the public or private kindergartens. Private schools, though costlier, can have lower student-teacher ratios as well as more flexibility and personalized content and teaching techniques.
Kindergartens that are public located in Hong Kong are non-profit making (NPM). While they may still be free however, they are subsidized by the Hong Kong government offers a Kindergarten Education Scheme (KES) that allows fee-remissions for parents who need financial aid. It is possible to check the eligibility requirements here. The public kindergartens typically have standardized curriculum, getting your child ready for elementary school with a focus on the most important subjects.
The reality is that in Hong Kong, most international kindergartens are privately run, so If you’re searching for English as the main language, you might have to spend a bit more. A private school could provide more diversity in the students, thereby increasing your child’s social sensitivity.
Kindergarten that is half-day or whole-day.
Another important aspect to think about is the length of time your child is required to remain in the kindergarten. The majority of kindergartens schools in Hong Kong offer both whole-day (WD) and half-day classes (HD) There are pros and cons of both.
Since most parents are employed at full-time and have limited childcare facilities, full-day kindergarten could be an opportunity to be a blessing in disguise. It also helps prepare the child for”big school. “big school” because they are accustomed to long days.
But, not all children are in the right developmental stage to be full-time in school. Additionally, it could take time away for other enrichment activities at home. In the end, there’s no one size fits all , and this is an individual decision depending on you and your child’s requirements.
Kindergarten programs and different various types of education
香港國際幼稚園 education has grown and expanded in leaps and bounds during the past 100 years and makes finding the best suitable for your child an difficult task. Curriculums at Hong Kong can vary widely in terms of academics as well as the way of teaching. This can influence not only the child’s growth as well as the schools they’re accepted in.
If you’re interested in an educational program that is specific to your child It is worthwhile to look into which kindergartens have the same curriculum, thereby offering continuity to your child. Certain programs comprise Montessori, International Baccalaureate, and, of course, the local curriculum offered in your state and country. Do your homework to know the various forms of educational programs available and then choose the best one for your child based on their needs.
Language used in teaching
In the multi-cultural and rich cultural environment that is Hong Kong, kindergartens have different languages that they can operate in or offer classes that let your child to learn the language. “Bilingual” generally means writing Chinese as well as English and “trilingual” typically includes the spoken English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Additionally, there are kindergartens which offer courses that teach classes in French, Spanish, German, Japanese and much more! There are numerous advantages to studying languages from the earliest age, a multi-language preschool is an excellent opportunity to provide your child with an edge at the very beginning.
School community and other services
Another crucial aspect of selecting your child’s kindergarten is that they learn about the school’s culture. The teachers and principals are likely to spend the greatest period of your child’s time therefore a thorough assessment of the school can be very beneficial. Do you enjoy them? Do they appear to have the same values as your family? Parents are a important part of the community and they can give you great insights about the schools they attend. Parents are able to ask questions like “What should I know as a newly-minted parent What would you rate school and the other teachers?’ Are your children happy at school Do you think they are happy at school?.
Ratio teacher-student
Furthermore, it is crucial to take into consideration the size of your class and teacher-to-student ratio. While more individual attention is always beneficial but if your child requires an extra level of care, it is an important aspect. There is evidence to suggest that having classes with smaller sizes of less than 20 children in a class has positively impacted student academic performance and learning. Also having a lower teacher-to student ratio, which is around 1:10 is one of the most crucial aspects of early childhood education environments to forecast future academic success. Therefore, it is crucial to take into account not only the expertise of teachers and educational levels, but more crucially, you should examine the student to ratio of teachers.
Facilities at schools
A visit to the prospective kindergartens is an absolute must! This gives you the chance to watch the children play, witness the teachers at work, and also check out the facilities. Classrooms with outside areas like playgrounds, art and music rooms are good indicators.
You may also look into the type of equipment they use, as well as how they are used by the kindergarten. Are technology tools used in classroom, and in what way is it utilized to teach? In the end, technology is only a tool. However, when a school is decorated with vibrant display of work by children is generally an excellent sign of a happy atmosphere!