late application

[bumpkin]

newbie poster, so please be gentle...
we just found out that we are moving to HK, which sounds great to everyone in the family. The only problem is that we have a 2.5 years old son and most kindergartens have stopped accepting applications, esp. those have mandarin / english classes. The only resolution we can come up is that we send him to an english program and apply for the year 2009-2010, hoping that he can get into a mandarin program at the age of 4. While we don't mind our son studying with kids a year younger than he is, is it possible for schools to accept him like this? or have you seen anything like this?

There must be others who have missed the appliation period, how did you cop with this sort of schooling issue?

A small note: We both speak english and mandarin so we hope he will learn both as well. Since we are going to move back to U.S. in 2-4 years, we think that we just worry about his madarin now...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

bumpkin :Butbut

 

[chubbysan]

hi bumpkin,

yes, most deadline for new application for yr 2008-2009 r over. however it is still possible for you to put your child name in the waiting list. And if you are open to kindergartens other than International School, there might still be vacancy in the coming academic year.

 

[bumpkin]

Hi Chubby

Thanks for replying. what kindergarten are you refering to?



B:Butbut

 

[carang]

i was just at a kindie in sai kung. (the ONLY one that i have looked at). my boy was born in feb 2005. they still have room for him in sept.

i haven't checked around too much, as i'm not overly concerned that he have 3 years of kindie...

my point is just that there are places available, you just need to look a little.

 

[Buckeroo]

Do check out Tutor Time. I know that they'll accept 'outside' applications (i.e., those not currently enrolled) starting from Feb, so this means that you still have time. What's more, Tutor Time is 50/50 English/Mandarin. My son is currently enrolled in K1 there and we are quite happy with his progress in both English and Mandarin.

Please feel free to PM if you have more questions.

 

[chubbysan]

hi bumpkin

is there any specific district u r looking?

 

[bumpkin]

We don't know exactly yet but should be somewhere near hong kong island if it is not on the island. We still hope to get him in to SZ someday.

Bumpkin:Butbut

 

[carang]

SZ= shenzhen?

 

[bumpkin]

Sorry for the confusion, carang. I meant Kiangsu & Chekiang School (I am from mainland China but living in the States now, Su Zhe is Putonghua / mandarin abbreviation of this school's name.)

I just feel that one has to be in the environment in order to learn the language so I can't say that I am open to anything. He already mixes English and Mandarin together when he speaks now, introducing him to Cantonese would be even more confusing, especially none of us understands it at the moment.

Another question, he is still in diapers now and we just started potty training. What is the "standard" expection on that at schools? Does a kid need to be 100% off-diaper/training pants before they can be accepted at a kindie?

Thanks in advance,

Bumpkin:Butbut

 

[bekyboo44]

I think if your child is 3 and starting kindergarten they need to be toilet trained, i.e. 100% no diaper!
I think you will find it difficult to find a sch that will accept a child at 3 who is still in diapers.....as no teacher/assistant is going to change their diaper during the day!

KCIS is oversubscribed! My son is 15 mnths and due to start kdg in Sept 2009 and his name is already on waiting list for KCIS.....they have already recieved a number of applications for his year.