[CarolineUK]

My husband, 2 children and I are moving to Hong-Kong very soon - as soon as we find a school for our 4 year old daughter, which appears to be so much harder than I thought. We've been looking at International schools (Lycee francais, ESF, HKIS..etc and other pre-schools too) and classes are already full for September 2007. I was told to apply anyway and at least put her name on the waiting lists (100 applicants on waiting lists at times! Very unlikely she would be able to start in September...) I read loads of messages in the forum of people saying they had registered their children in various places. Unless you have a lot of money, how does one manage with the debentures that schools ask for? Can anyone advise me on this matter?

[ontheroad]

Have you tried the Renaissance school? I think they have some space...

[CarolineUK]

Thanks for your reply, but unfortunately Renaissance College takes pupils from Year 1 (5 years old) not Reception.
Any other suggestion ?
Do people really apply for 2, 3 or 4 schools and pay this debenture several times?

[ontheroad]

Many local preschools (Montessoris and such) do Reception so, it might be a good idea to start there, and then switch schools later on.

A lot of people who work for big companies (for ex, foreign companies) don't pay the debenture, because it's already paid for by the company.

[shilo507]

Depending on where you intend living your best bet would be an ESF. Don't be put off when tyou hear from the schools that they are full. Expat families come and go all the time so vacancies can crop up at any time.

However, my experience was that schools will probably tell you to contact them once you arrive in HK. I tried to register my 2 with a few different ESF schools on HKI but they would not put offer them a place until they were here in HK.

It's a bit of a dilemma, I know - you don't want to arrive here before your kids have a place yet it is very hard to find a school for your kids and have them accepted until they have been interviewed by the school! Catch 22!

Don't pay any money until your child/ren has/have been accepted by a school and you have a guaranteed place. You'll then have a week or so to accept or decline the offer. Try to come 2 weeks before school holidays and visit the schools and decide which school is right for your child. I do feel that some schools just want to see you hand over a cheque or bankers draft.

Give your child/ren a few weeks to adust to HK rather than coming here and straight into school.

[rani]

Caroline,

there's a new Montessori preschool which opened this month called Casa Dei Bambini. Their website isn't up yet, but you can email info@casadeibambini.com.hk for more info.

[CarolineUK]

Thanks ever so much everyone for such useful advice. It's reassured me a bit and giving me a bit of hope!
My husband's company has agreed to pay a debenture, but don't think they'll pay two or three, so we have to make a choice and only apply for one school!
Somebody said not to pay any money before we get a place in a a school but sometimes you don't have the choice. With HKIS for instance, you have to pay before.

[sunita]

IN WANCHAI QUEEN ROAD EAST THERE IS ONE SCHOOL NAME IS THE SCHOOL IS STARTER SCHOOL IT IS GOOD SCHOOL AND ALSO MY 2 DAUGHTER STUDY THERE AND AFTER I GET CHANCE TO PUT THEM IN ESF SCHOOL IF U PUT UR KIDS THERE EASLY U Can GET ADDMISSION IN ESF

[rani]

Caroline,

Did you check the Montessori school? Our little guy is 4 too and is at ESF Kindy. They also have an afternoon session which is a little eaiser to get into. Our guy will be going to primary school next Sept. In Sept you can apply for the ESF primary school in yr area. P1 applications start a year in advance.

[CarolineUK]

Just got some more positive replies from schools today, so thanks everybody for help and suggestion.
By the way, does anybody know the name of the school Sunita was talking about in Wanchai, Queen road east ?