Your child and you are now ready to start kindergarten. It’s an enormous first step that can be daunting. In the end, it’s your child’s first experience in the world of education and sets the groundwork for future achievements.
The city of Hong Kong, kindergartens cater to students aged 3 to six years old, while children younger than 3 years the right to attend in a child care centre (CCC). Kindergarten teachers must have a Qualified Kindergarten Teacher (QKT) qualification or equivalent. There are many choices for parents to choose from. The curriculum, the length of the school hours or class size are among the most popular things parents should consider. Due to the huge international population and the large international population, it is no surprise that the Hong Kong schooling system offers many different types of kindergartens.
The maze of this world could be overwhelming to take in, which is why we have put together tips to help you find the best school for your child in Hong Kong for your little one(s).
Public or private 香港國際幼稚園
First, you should consider your budget and the number of schools within your neighborhood. This can inform you if you should consider the public or private kindergartens. Private schools, though being more costly, could provide lower teacher to student ratios as well as more flexibility and personalized content and teaching techniques.
The public kindergartens located in Hong Kong are non-profit making (NPM). Even though they might be free but they are subsidized by the Hong Kong government offers a Kindergarten Education Scheme (KES) which is a fee reduction for parents in need of financial aid. It is possible to check the eligibility requirements here. The public kindergartens typically have standardized curriculum, helping your child prepare for school by focusing on the fundamental subjects.
For instance, in Hong Kong, most international kindergartens are private. So If you’re seeking English as the main language, you might have to pay a little more. A private school could provide more diversity in the students and help develop your child’s social skills.
Half-day or full-day kindergarten
Another important aspect to think about is the length of time your child will have been in school for. Many kindergartens are in Hong Kong offer both whole-day (WD) as well as half-day programs (HD) as well as there are pros and cons of both.
Because most parents work all day and don’t have access to childcare facilities, full-day kindergarten could be an opportunity to be a blessing in disguise. It also helps prepare the child for”big” schools “big school” since they are used to working full-time.
But, not all children are in the right developmental stage to be full-time in school. Additionally, it may take time for other enrichment activities at home. There isn’t one size that fits all and it is an individual choice that is based on you and your child’s preferences.
Kindergarten programs and other kinds of education
Kindergarten education has evolved and expanded leaps and bounds in the past 100 years which makes finding the perfect school for your child not an difficult task. Curriculums at Hong Kong can vary widely in terms of academics as well as methods of teaching, which could affect not just the child’s growth as well as the schools they’re accepted into.
If you’re looking for the same curriculum in school It is worthwhile to look into which kindergartens provide the same curriculum, thereby offering continuity to your child. Certain programs consist of Montessori, International Baccalaureate, and, of course, the local curriculum of your country or state. Make sure you do your research to learn about the different types of education available and make a decision according to your child’s requirements.
Teaching in the language of 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 help your child to acquire the language. “Bilingual” generally is a reference to writing Chinese as well as English and “trilingual” typically includes the spoken English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Additionally, there are kindergartens offering courses that teach classes in French, Spanish, German, Japanese and much more! With the numerous benefits of the ability to learn languages at the earliest stage, a multi-language kindergarten is an excellent opportunity to give your child an edge right from the beginning.
School community and other services
Another important aspect to consider when choosing your child’s kindergarten is that they learn more about the school’s community. The teachers and principals are likely to spend the greatest amounts of their time together with the child therefore a thorough assessment of the school is extremely beneficial. Do you enjoy them? Do they appear to have the same values as your family? Parents are of course a important part of the community and they are able to provide valuable insights on the environment at school. Parents are able to ask questions like “What should I know as a newly-minted parent What would you rate educators and parents?’ Do your children enjoy school Do you think they are happy at school?.
Ratio teacher-student
It is also important to take into consideration the size of your class and teacher-to-student ratio. While more individual attention is always beneficial for your child, if they require an extra level of care, this is an crucial aspect. There is evidence to suggest that having classes with smaller sizes that are less than 20 students in a class has an impact positive on students’ academic performance and learning. Also the lower teacher to student ratio, which is around 1:10, is among the most crucial factors in early childhood education settings in order to forecast future academic success. It is therefore crucial to take into account not only the expertise of teachers and educational levels, but more importantly, consider the student-to- ratio of teachers.
Facilities for schools
A visit to the prospective kindergartens is essential! It allows you to watch the children play, witness the teachers in action and, of course, look at the facilities. Classrooms with outside areas like playgrounds, art and music rooms are great indicators.
It is also possible to look at the type of equipment they use, as well as how they use them in the classroom. Does technology play a role in teachingprocess, and how does it work to teach? In the end, technology is simply a tool. But when a school is decorated with vibrant exhibits of the work of the children is generally an excellent indication of a positive environment!
