Help - schools

We are relocating to Hong Kong in September. I have a 4 1/2 year old daughter (5 in November. How do I get her enrolled in a school. We are presently based in India, but to make life more difficult I will be based in New York for August whilst the family will be based in Ireland. We would prefer an english school - but can not register for ESF as we have no Hong Kong address as of yet. All of the other international schools seem to be over subscribed.


Any advice please

As the ESF schools are zoned by where you live, it may be prudent to find out which ESF schools have more places and then try to find suitable accomodation in that school's zone. I have heard from other parents (only opinions) that ESF can be quite helpful in finding places for native english speaking children if the parents have arrived and need a place ASAP. The ESF is probably your best bet so long as your daughter is fluent in english - native/fluent english speakers get priority places.

We just got a place at short notice for our 4yr4mth old daughter at the Canadian International school - beautiful facilities but not an English curriculum (they are introducing the IB).

The other option if you cannot find an immediate place when you arrive are the international preschools/kindergartens - which I think take children upto 6 years. Many offer all day programs, or 1/2 day sessions. I think these are easier to get into - we had no problems finding a place. Some websites to check out (all on HK island) Parkview International Preschool www.pips.edu.hk, Woodland preschools www.woodlandschools.com, Sunshine house international preschools www.sunshinehouse.com.hk. At least if you secure a preschool place (maybe near a serviced apartment for while you are flat hunting) your daughter has somewhere to go while you are sorting out the school options.

Good luck

Adelaide Mum


Thank you for your advice, we have decided to go to HK next week to try and rent a flat with in the appropriate cachment zone.


Nick