URGENT!! - ESF or HLY???

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itsybitsymom

Registered User
I've just got notified that my girl has been accepted to ESF Tsing Yi but she has already registered at HLY Nursery? I want her to study at ESF from year 1. What shall I do? give up HLY? I though ESF Tsing Yi rejected my application but now they accepted my girl for the K1 this Sep. Has ESF kinder priority to enter ESF primary? I love Hong Lok Yuen Int'l school but should I give it up for future??? Can you advise me, PLEASE?????

Thanks!!!
 
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It is a tough choice. I believe that ESF say that they don't guarantee a primary place if a child attends kindy at ESF but it couldn't hurt and I am considering sending my youngest to ESF instead of the kindy she has been accepted to just in case.

I know that doesn't help your decision but a friend said something to me recently which may help. Think of what is best for your DD. Consider the environment (not just the academic but the social) of both schools, the teachers that you met and how they would be with your DD. Base your decision on this.
 
Hi, it's a tough choice and it does look like you want your child to go to P1 ESF. Just about everyone I know whose children attended ESF kindie, managed to get into P1 ESF, but this was about 3 years ago.
I'm not sure if this is the case now, but the odds of trying to get a place at Shatin ESF without having attended its' kindies or without a foreign name, is very low.

Also, you could think about taking the kindie at ESF and then if you don't get accepted for P1 at Shatin, you could always apply for HLY P1. Although HLY is a small school, they seem to be able to accept new students that have not come through their own kindie at P1.
Or you could stay at HLY and continue through the whole system as they now have their own secondary school.
 
Your chances of getting into ESF primary would depend on which category you fall into.

Category 1 - Children who speak English as a first or alternative language but do not speak Cantonese and/or read and write Chinese characters.

Attending ESF Tsing Yi would only give you a priority within Category 2 should you fall into Category 2.

Having said that, my friend's child speaks Cantonese and attended a local kindy and actually got accepted into ESF because one parent doesn't read/write chinese.
Strangely enough I've also heard some expats were rejected by ESF even though English is their first and only language.
So there are really no guarantees!

My child currently goes to HLY and our original plan was also to switch to ESF for primary, basically because it's a lot more affordable and would guarantee a ESF secondary place. However we have since changed our minds. We have been very happy with HLY and seen such a huge improvement in my child's development. I would really hate to uproot him so we have decided to stay on at HLY (even though we're unsure about how well the secondary school will go).

I would choose the school you are most happy with and would be a good fit for your child's personality.
I also note you live in Tsing Yi, so you would need to consider whether the commute time to HLY is too far or not.
Good luck with your decision.
 
I also have the same dilemma as you do for now, in which one should i choose for my son in the near future. But personally, i think i would choose the one which is nearby.
 
ESF doesnt guarantee that your child from Kindy will get into P1 but 99% of kids go to ESF Primary.
 
Thanks Everybody!! Your comments were very helpful. I have been invited to ESF school tour this afternoon so I will go and see why ESF is so popular among parents.

BTW, MUMSY - can I ask some questions in relation to HLY?

1. From Reception, they operate a full day. Are kids okay with that? Aren't they too tired or managed to their small life?

2. How about their achievement after 2 years of Kindergarten level. How about their English and Mandarin language? My girl is a mix and English is not her first language but she speaks English quite well. I am sure she picked it up from her current pre-nursery school in Central.

3. Are teachers caring and warm hearted?

I am still struggling to choose which one as both schools are excellent.

ESF - convenient (near our home) | cheaper school fees | priority to its primary school?

HLY - academically better?? eg. Mandarin | small sized and warm and caring | spacious and well equipped environment | a bit expensive school fees though

Thanks a billion!!!
 
To answer your questions,

1. Reception is full day but there is an option for half day on Wednesday. I think initially they may get tired but should adjust after a few weeks, and they will probably tend to sleep earlier at night time and for longer.

Even at nursery class, there are many kids attending full day and a lot of kids have given up their nap. But for those that still need to nap, the school will bring out mattresses and let them nap for about 20-30mins.

2. There are many mix kids and different nationalities at HLY so I wouldn't worry about English not being her first language. Some kids are more fluent than others and so long as she can understand and communicate, then she will be fine. I even know one kid who had very limited english to start with and he has made a lot of progress so far.

As for mandarin, they start with basic greetings and learn mandarin songs at nursery level. At the CNY concert, I heard the reception kids singing more complex songs and recite some poems, but because I don't speak mandarin I'm not really sure of the standard.

I know at primary level they will start to teach Mandarin in three groups depending on the child's level (something like expats, mandarin parents, local parents who know mandarin etc).

I've heard that HLY mandarin program is much better than ESF, but I know ESF are improving theirs now and introducing mandarin lessons every day at primary.

3. The teachers are really nice and great towards the kids. If the kids are upset/crying, they will take care of them and give them a hug until they have calmed down.

The teachers really focus on each individual child's ability so they are not pushed to do anything that they would struggle with, but at the same time encourage them to take part.

It's a tough decision to make. If we lived on HK island I think we would have definitely chosen ESF all the way. But since we are in the NT there are no ESF kindys and HLY is the closest school for us.

You should have a better idea after you have visited ESF.
 
I agree with Ozekid - choose the school which suits your child ! I personally prefer the international school system. The school my daughters attend (not HLY) is very involved in the community and responsive to parents concerns. You only need see the complaints about ESF on this site to get a feel for the 'system'. It is a small school with a great feel about it.

It is true that ESF has excellent academic results, but remember they pick and choose their pupils. Most of the international schools just take children from the waiting list.

ESF may be cheaper (due to government subsidies), but what else are you going to spend your $$ on that your children's education?
 
Hello!

I have visited ESF TY and impressed by this school. Undoubtdely very good! But I think HLY is more suitable for my kid and decided to take HLY offer instead.

Hi HLY parents - pls help me one more time to answer my curiosity as below:

I've heard that the max. number of kids at Nursery around 27. Isn't it too many? Still each kid gets individual full attention? Mine is very shy.

How are kids' English or Mandarin level at the end of Reception? Can they read book? Do I expect too much? or at least they know how to read or recognise ABC or some basic Chinese??? I mean in general...just want to get some idea..

If someone leaves the school (after Reception or in the middle of term), what is the main reason for that? Chinese? or any unsatisfaction?

How is relationship between parents?

Are there many music/dancing time for kids at Nursery or Reception? Mine loves to dance and sing...

Thanks a million again!!!
 
I think ESF and HLY are very good schools and they are quite similar. I can say HLY is a miniature version of ESF. Do you agree with me??
 
Hi itsybitysmom

My son will be attending nursery at HLY in Sept as well, so hope to see you there! Will your child be attending half or full day? I also have a daughter in Y3.

I know the nursery are full at the moment but neither the full nor half day classes have 27 children. The full day probably have the maximum of 24 students and I believe they are not taking anymore applicants.

My daughter never went through the Kindy at HLY but in terms of Mandarin, I know from Sept, the kindy classes have been increased to at least 3 times a week for 45mins a day, which is really good.
If you really are concerned about how advanced the children will be at Reception, it might be better to speak to the teachers as they are always readily available for a chat.

From experience, you will always be informed of what your child is doing and I know with my daughter, the parents receive a short notice at the beginning of the week explaining what the students will be studying that week. All parents Kindie and Primary are able to access a weekly newsletter from the HLY website (school is going paperless) which covers what has been happening during the week. The communication from the school is very good.

I have known people who have left HLY, but only because they were relocated back to their own countries.

In terms of relationships between the parents, I suppose it depends on the parents themselves :) but I know every parent (well mothers) in my daughters year and loads of others in different year groups. You will find that parents at HLY are generally very friendly..so nothing to worry about.

If you would like to meet up for a chat one day, just pm me.
 
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Hi Klam - Very glad to meet you here! My girl will be attending a half day this year. How about yours? Happy that we will become parents of students at the same school. Very exciting!! I also hope to see you some day at school. Nice meeting you AGAIN!!
 
I understand that the class size at Nursery is normally 22 but they will increase to max 24 if there are any overseas kids relocating to HK.

Currently there are 22 kids in my son's nursery class (19 started in Sept and 3 more started later in Jan).

There are also 3 teachers in each nursery class - 2 permanent full time staff and 1 extra part-time assistant.

I agree it would be best to speak to the reception teachers if you want to know more about the english/mandarin level.

A lot would really depend on the child's ability too. For instance, my son is one of the younger ones and does not have very good control with a pen so he is not learning to write yet but I know some other kids are. On the other hand, he already knew his ABC's before starting kindergarten, and at the moment is given very basic books to help begin reading.

I'm told the pace really picks up at Reception level so I'm sure the reading/writing will advance a lot.

I don't know anyone who has left the school mid-term, but there are a few considering moving after Reception. Mainly these are local parents who want their children to be totally fluent in chinese so are choosing ESF Renaissance or other chinese schools. Some are also choosing ESF Shatin because they live in Fotan/Shatin and closer for them plus cheaper.

If you are sending/collecting your child to school yourself, then you will have a great chance to meet and chat with other parents. I know the majority of the parents in my kids class and also some parents in the other nursery class too. But if you work, there will also be some introductory meetings in Sept/Oct for you to attend. Also your child will probably get a few birthday invites during the year so another chance to socialise.

At nursery, they have two sessions of music/dancing time - at the start of school and again just before hometime.

I can't really say whether HLY is like ESF as I don't have first hand experience of ESF - but I'm a little surprised that no ESF parents replied to this thread and what they think of the ESF system.
 
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