Academic vs Fun, homework-free environment

I'm talking about kindergartens.


We've selected two so far.


One is popular with an emphasis on academic achievements (according to a post I've read). I asked the school but they say that these so called homework are very easy - eg. colouring, drawings etc. I don't know any parent from the school that can give me an insight about it. My baby will need to travel 45 minutes door-to-door to get there (public transport).


The second preschool has got little homework. I've attended the school's graduation ceremony (my friend's son goes there) and the kids appear to really love it there but their beloved English teacher apparently has decided to leave the school. My baby will need to travel 30 minutes to reach the school (public transport).


What are your thoughts?


PS: Both are local kindies.

ok so i don't live in HK but you didn't name the kindies either so here goes:


when i send mine to preschool next time, i would not send him to a place that he has to travel too far for. i think it just doesn't make sense for our LO to travel for (1-1.5hours) back and forth to attend school for just 3-4 hours (assume Hk kindies are about 3-4 hours long)? think of how exhausted they would be!


as for the environment, is that "beloved English teacher" the only good teacher in that second school mentioned? what i'm asking is does the school look less attractive if that teacher leaves, which would worry me because surely a good school can't just depend on ONE good teacher?


homework: should be kept to a minimum and if any, should be fun drawings, preparing for show and tell, reading the book brought home from library, etc.


just my thoughts! or at least the stuff i would think about when selecting my bub's school in future.

I know 30-45 minutes is a long way to travel for a little child but we live on the outskirts of HK (we need to live this far so that my husband could come home from China every fortnight - any closer to the city and he'll only be back weekends).


Regarding the other school with the "beloved English teacher", from what I've read in the graduation booklet, all positive comments were directed to this English teacher. Having said that, they also have comments in Chinese and I don't know if they mention any other teacher. For this school, I don't know about the "reputation" because it's not one that people talk about. I only know it's good from my two friends who have sent or are sending their children there. I don't know whether or not the school is recommended because the English teacher's caring or if it's recommended because it is overall a good school.