Pre school/kindergarten information needed

[littlebean1201]

We are moving to Hong Kong in a few months time, and currently looking for a school for my son who was born Jan 2007 (3 and half years old now).

My son is very sensitive and shy but very bright boy. He would not speak to anyone unless he feels comfortable with them, and it normally takes very long time to warm-up.

I am looking for a school where teachers understand/acknowledge his personality and help him out to feel comfortable with friends/teachers and school. In that way, I would prefer a small class school.

Now, I've heard that Sunshine House has only 8 children in a class which is really attractive.

Does anyone know about this school? or anyone knows a school that meets my requirement above?

He speaks perfect English and Japanese (my husband is Canadian and I am Japnese), therefore I prefer a school English only or English/Japanese.

Look forward to hearing some advices!

Thanks


PS - I'm also interested in French school (International Division which is mainly in English and 3 times a week French lesson) too, but youngest class is from 4 years old?

 

[Portia]

I don't think it's correct that Sunshine House only has 8 children per class, at least not from the classes that I visited at SH on the Peak. Maybe in other branches? It might have a ratio of 8:1, with the class having 2 or 3 teachers.

You haven't said where you are going to be living in Hong Kong, but you could also look at Woodlands on the Peak which is a small school (physically small, so classes could not have that many students). My LO is also a senstive child. He attends Highgate House (on the Peak as well) where I find that the teachers take a real interest in the child. It's a very homey atmosphere, but it is a Waldorf Steiner school so would not be for you if you are concerned about academics. It's class size is not small either, but my son's class has 3 teachers so there still is personal attention. They have a short Mandarin circle time with a few songs, but is otherwise is all in English. There are a number of Japanese families with children there.

I think you really need to visit the schools to talk to the teachers and see the premises. You may also need to put your name down in advance for a place as some kindergartens have a wait list.

 

[littlebean1201]

Hi

Thanks for your comment.

I might have misunderstood "8 children in a class" thing - I think you are right that it is 1:8 ratio.

We still haven't decided where to live - we live in Paris at the moment but going to flat hunting to Hong Kong this Sunday - we are gong to look at Repulse Bay, Tai Tam, RedHill, Mid-Level, Happy Valley ...

Our relocation company is arranging thins for us such as looking at apartments and making appointments with schools. Someone said that her daughter goes to Highgate House and made same comments like you do. I'm not too worries about academics as I believe there are so many things that are more important than academics, that can lean through friends for 3 years old.

I have asked our relocation company to include Highgate to the visit list but they are closed while we are in HK this time... so we will have to give it a miss but would like to visit the school when we moved to HK in Sept/Oct.

Many thanks!