Most desired school for 2yr old?

[lakai]

Hi,
I am thinking about sending my 2 year old son to HK for school sometime next year. I was wondering where best to start him out. Without sounding like a 'elitist', could someone tell me which are the prestigeous non-international schools to apply? I have a flat at the arch which my retired father is living. I appreciate any help. Thank you

 

[carang]

the best school for a 2 year old is the one that best suits YOUR 2 year old. some schools would be better suited for your child than others. only YOU can make that decision...

and really, school for a 2 year old should have NOTHING to do with being "the best" it should have to do with nurturing your youngster's creativity & confidence and introducing your child to the joys of learning.

why someone would "SEND" their 2 year old child away (i'm assuming you do not live in hk as you said "sending...to school in hk) for school is beyond me. it is MUCH better for the child to grow up around his parents than feel unloved and abandoned at such a tender age.

my personal opinion.

 

[lesliefu]

unfortunately kids start school from the age of 2 here...way too early, but if you don't go, #1 kids your childs age will all be at school, no one to socialize with your child #2 your kid will be at a disadvantage when applying for kindergarten. so...you will have to send your 2 year old to nursery. i'm not sure where the arch but whatever you decide, you need to make sure that the place is child friendly and that your 2 year old will enjoy the experience. i know of many nurserys in the kowloon tong area, but am unsure how far those are from your place. victoria nursery, tutor time, st catherines...are some names that come up...

 

[carang]

#1... there are plenty of children around for your child to socialise with, even if you choose not to put him into school.
#2...such a fallacy that you are at a disadvantage when applying for kindergartens! complete rubbish! if you raise and care for your child in a well-rounded environment... if you talk to your child... if you are truly your child's first teacher..... you will have NO PROBLEM getting a place in a kindergarten!

 

[Speculator]

I am glad my daughter will be going to school in England and not Hong Kong! Starting school at 2yrs is too young!

 

[arleneli]

Hi

I am not sure how you want your child to go to school but kindies around olympic city would be the closest to the Arch. There should be many School buses and Nanny Van going to the Arch. But if you want your child to go to Non- Int then the option would be ESF. If you want your child to go to local school, then he should know Cantonese or Mandarin at the least. Most local kindies are taught in Chinese with English as a second Language.

You can check these website below:
www.victoria.edu.hk, Harbour Green Campus would be near to your place

www.learninghabitat.org, hampton loft campus would also be near to your place.

 

[mosmom]

lesliefu
absolutely agree with carang. parents like you (and please don't take this personal, as i don't know you!) make other parents nervous by making such statements.
when my daughter turned 1 year old, lots of people in my environment asked me allllll the time whether i had already signed her up for pre-nursery/playgroup (whatever it's called for 2-y-olds...). i got nervous, then, and even posted a thread here.
well, i've made my decision: my daughter is NOT going to pre-nursery next year (she's 17 months now), full stop! it's way too early, in my opinion, and i trust my child that she'll catch up quickly on whatever she'll have missed, IF she'll have missed anything at all, that is.
instead, i'll accompany her to a playgroup once a week (1h) to get a rough idea of a kindy, and of course let her have plenty of time with playdates. if, next year, a KG rejects my child after an interview - tant pis! then we'll take her to another one. i'm still soo surprised that parents actually get worried and blame their own child and themselves for not having been accepted at their favourite KG.. that they see themselves as a failure. this is sad and unfortunately, nothing is being done (by the govt.?) to stop this foolish trend..
sorry, as this is a hot topic for me at the moment, i had to let it out of my system

lakai
sorry i'm not familiar with any KG's in your area...

 

[carang]

mosmum...
i took my boy, almost 4yrs old, out of school for the month of November to australia. I will again take him out for a month in march/april to go to canada...you would not believe the number of mothers at my playgroup that asked< "but what about school????"

my response, was "he's 3, what exactly is he going to miss that i can't teach him myself?"

 

[Gabriel ma]

Yes, it is very common to let the little children going to pre-nursery school in HK. 9 out of 10 of the friends will do so. Another 1 is a full time mother and she can teach her child by herself. For HK women, most of us have to go to work. My child starts going to pre-nursery school at 2 years old. He cried only on the 1st day and he enjoys going to school so much.

 

[mosmom]

gabriel ma
it's great that your son enjoys pre-nursery so much. you know, i'm certain that my daughter would be fine as well
the thing that bothers me actually is that hk parents (or parents in hk) really get worried that their child will be "behind" if they don't sign him/her up at a KG asap. i just don't believe that a child who doesn't attend pre-nursery misses out on so much.
you know, and after the child starts pre-nursery, the parents' comment is usually: "whaa, they're doing nothing special, just play, play, play, and sing songs, have snack and toilet time.." first, one can read the curriculum and inform oneself before signing up at the school. second, what else should a child that age learn or do?? i feel that the parents feel such an immense pressure or urge of competition that they're not satisfied with the content and teaching speed of ANY curriculum. dunno if that's just my observation?

EDIT: even SAHM's are keen to send their child/ren to pre-nursery. i don't think it has anything to do with the time that one has to spend with the child...