New Territories parent rush to sign up at kindergartens under new rules

Parents in Sheung Shui and Tai Po made an early morning dash to kindergartens to "pre-register" their children as new admission procedures initiated by the government took effect yesterday.

The new rules, introduced in the two districts after an influx of children born in Hong Kong to mainland parents led to a scramble for places in September, stipulate that each child can be registered at only one of the kindergartens they had been offered a place at. Parents have just four days to sign up at their chosen kindergarten and many did so before work yesterday.

The move is designed to prevent a situation seen in previous years, in which parents would register children with several kindergartens and only make a decision at the last minute. Parents found to have pre-registered at more than one kindergarten in the two districts will not be able to complete the registration.

But some parents signing up yesterday said they had also pre-registered their children at preschools outside the two districts.

Su Kai-tai, who lives in Ma On Shan and has a construction business in Shenzhen, said he registered his daughter at Fung Kai Kindergarten in Sheung Shui as he was considering moving to Shenzhen next year. He had applied to eight kindergartens in total, receiving five offers, and had registered his child at kindergartens in other districts as well.

"I think the government's policy can help those on the waiting list but not necessarily those of us who already have an offer," Su said. He added he may only make up his mind right before the new term begins in September.