Schools that lay solid foundations

Alison's Letterland Child Care Centre The Letterland Early Years Foundation Stage programme is based on the British curriculum. Baby Buddies/Step Two involves learning through play. The focus is on physical, intellectual and emotional development. Suitable for ages two to six, and children who will study at an international primary school. (Causeway Bay. Tel 2504 1978, e-mail info@letterland-land.com or visit www.letter-land.com) ESF Early Years Programme Run by the English Schools Foundation Educational Services, the programme helps children aged three and up to develop their English skills. Education is literature and activity-based. The focus is on interaction between students and native English-speaking teachers. (Visit www.edservices.org.hk or tel 2711 2801) ESF International Kindergartens Run by ESF Educational Services, these three kindergartens in Sheung Wan, Tsing Yi and Clearwater Bay (Abacus) follow a British-based curriculum called the Foundation Stage, which focuses on personal, social and emotional development, creative skills, maths and physical development, language and literacy. There is a strand of Putonghua in all classes. Suitable for ages three to five. Children attending these kindergartens have priority for admission to ESF schools, although this is not automatic. (Visit http://kindergartens.esf.edu.hk. Sheung Wan tel 2540 0066, Tsing Yi tel 2436 3355 or Abacus tel 2719 5712) Montessori for Children This preschool makes exclusive use of a Montessori curriculum as accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale. It is part of the Montessori for Children group, which also has schools in Canada and Singapore. It is suitable for all children from the age of 2?. There is a year-long waiting list for the morning sessions, with more places available in the afternoons. (Tai Tam Village. Apply online at www.montessori.edu.sg. Tel 2813 9589 or e-mail hongkong@montessori.edu.sg) Nature Education Kindergarten This kindergarten focuses on interactive learning using nature and the environment, with an equal emphasis on English and Chinese. It has a thematic approach to learning, with an emphasis on building confidence, independence and respect for others. It accepts children aged two to six. Applications are accepted in person only. (Tai Po. Tel 2827 6606) Starters Schools These schools follow a British-based curriculum, with a focus on thematic learning for children aged 21/2 to five. They are ideal for parents who want to send their children to international or ESF schools. The environment is relaxed and less academically focused than traditional schools. There is no formal waiting list. (Wan Chai tel 2527 8676 or Causeway Bay tel 2577 9328. Visit http://www.starters.edu.hk or e-mail starters_school@yahoo.com) Think International Kindergarten and Nursery A bilingual preschool with a theme- and activity-based approach to learning for children aged two to six. Early development is focused on a balance of cognitive learning, social skills, body strength, artistic development and emotional balance. This school prepares children for entry into international or local primary schools. (Applications can be made in October. Laguna City tel 2727 4747, Mei Foo tel 2727 7585, Ma On Shan tel 2633 7800 and Kowloon Tong tel 2338 3949. Visit www.think.edu.hk) Victoria Educational Organisation This organisation comprises seven kindergartens and two English primary schools. It is an authorised provider of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and offers three- or four-year programmes for children aged 1? to six. It is ideal for providing all-round development and bilingual instruction in English and Cantonese or English and Putonghua. The Chinese instruction follows the curriculum of the Education and Manpower Bureau. The English curriculum focuses on learning through games, songs and activities. (Belcher's Street tel 2542 7001, Causeway Bay tel 2578 9998, Ho Man Tin tel 2762 9130. Visit http://203.85.122.68/victoria/index.php or e-mail enquiry@victoria.edu.hk) Woodland Pre-Schools This group offers both Montessori and traditional education. The schools accredited by the Montessori Centre International in London provide a dual-language programme in English and Putonghua (Mid-Levels tel 2549 1211, Repulse Bay tel 2803 1885 and Tai Tam tel 2525 1655). The traditional schools are accredited by the Early Learning Alliance in London, and follow a British-based curriculum using themes and learning through play. They are suitable for children aged 2? to six. Woodland schools maintain a close relationship with parents and employ qualified, experienced native English-speaking teachers. There is a maximum ratio of 12 children to a teacher. Education at Woodland prepares children for international and ESF schools. (Happy Valley tel 2575 0042, Pokfulam Panda tel 2551 7177, Repulse Bay tel 2812 0274 and The Peak tel 2849 6192. Visit www.woodlandschools.com) Yew Chung Education Foundation Early Childhood Section This group offers several early childhood education programmes including Infant and Toddler Learning and programmes for children aged six months to six years. There are two streams for three- and four-year-olds: Mainstream (Cantonese with English) and International (bilingual). Teaching methods combine western and Chinese philosophy and practice. There is a strong emphasis on music, dance and creative expression. The school is suitable for children of all backgrounds. Four-year-olds can continue on to Yew Chung primary and secondary schools. (Kowloon Tong tel 2338 0264 or visit www.ycef.com)