Does anyone have any tips on preparing a child for ESF P1 interviews? my son is not shy by any means, but takes a little time to warm up (especially if i am not in the room with him). he is very chatty once he gets comfortable, but i'm afraid that he will a. not want to go into the interview itself, and b. not want to talk once he's in there. also been reading on this forum that schools send "scouts" to the child's preschools to assess them. is this true of all ESF schools?
P1 interview prep: any tips?
- Thread starter jbmom
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My advice would be don't make a big deal about it with your son. Just treat the interview day as if he is going to a playgroup or preschool in a different place for the day. Also, you may find if he is in kindergarten he will be placed with other kids from his kindergarten at the interview so he might have a few friends/familiar faces there.
The primary schools do send their teachers to the kindergartens (ESF Hillside/Woodlands/Tutor Time, etc) to meet the kids and put a name to a face. This way they are seeing the kids in an environment the children are comfortable in which allows them to see how they communicate, socialise and interact without the strangeness of a new place. The kindergarten should know when which schools are coming. Perhaps you can ask. If they won't tell you when the teachers are coming, they should at least tell you when the teachers have been so you know your child has been seen.
Good luck!
The primary schools do send their teachers to the kindergartens (ESF Hillside/Woodlands/Tutor Time, etc) to meet the kids and put a name to a face. This way they are seeing the kids in an environment the children are comfortable in which allows them to see how they communicate, socialise and interact without the strangeness of a new place. The kindergarten should know when which schools are coming. Perhaps you can ask. If they won't tell you when the teachers are coming, they should at least tell you when the teachers have been so you know your child has been seen.
Good luck!
It depends on the ESF school which schools they visit. Usually they visit the schools with more than 5-6 interview spots given. They didn't visit my twin's school but did visit my oldest' school (Sunshine, 7 kids interviewed 4 years back) but they didn't do Woodlands or Tutor Time. They always visit the ESF Kindy in the zone. Which school are you looking at and where is your child now?
Hi mummies,
jbmom, same here. My son will be having interviews with an ESF school and Renaissance College this coming January. And i have the same issue here as well, he is not really that chatty and he take a while to warm up.
Can any experienced mummies share with me will there be any writing and reading being tested during the interview? And are those who being selected to go for the 1st round of interview stands higher chance?
Thank you!
jbmom, same here. My son will be having interviews with an ESF school and Renaissance College this coming January. And i have the same issue here as well, he is not really that chatty and he take a while to warm up.
Can any experienced mummies share with me will there be any writing and reading being tested during the interview? And are those who being selected to go for the 1st round of interview stands higher chance?
Thank you!
No reading or writing is expected prior to entry of Year 1, so no need to worry. Most will be able to write their name, but they won't test. Just English knowledge and social skills.
First round interviews are usually for the available spots + a few extra knowing that some will choose other schools and/or fail the interview. Second round will only be given if spots come up. If a lot of people accept the spot and/or pass the interview there may be very few second round interviews available. So first round passed interview will give you a guaranteed spot. Second round is depending on outcome of first ...
First round interviews are usually for the available spots + a few extra knowing that some will choose other schools and/or fail the interview. Second round will only be given if spots come up. If a lot of people accept the spot and/or pass the interview there may be very few second round interviews available. So first round passed interview will give you a guaranteed spot. Second round is depending on outcome of first ...
sweeteymichelle
New member
As I know last year, Kennedy school did ask the kids to write 1-20, and other Esf asked the kids to write their names. Don't know whether they would fail the kids if they could not do so.
We had our interview this week, 300 kids being interviewed for 110-odd places! As PP said, I would (and did) start by not making a deal about it. We NEVER used the word interview with DD, just that she was going to visit XXXX. We then arrived earlier and walked around looking at the other kids playing in the playground, the uniform etc. The 'interview' is a group interview and I don't think a chatty child is more likely to get in than one that is not! DD told me she drew a picture but I don't think she was asked to write anything (thankfully as she can't read or write! other than her name).
All I can say is you try and be calm about it. If you are nervous then so will he be. One boy at DDs interview puked - it was heartbreaking to think he was that nervous.
All I can say is you try and be calm about it. If you are nervous then so will he be. One boy at DDs interview puked - it was heartbreaking to think he was that nervous.