Anfield and Starters and YMCA Int'l

YYFUNG

I am struggling among Anfield, YMCA  Int'l and Starters.
What should I consider?
If you were me, which will you choose?
Thanks for your advice!
Wing-Wing mama

YYFUNG

I live in Ho Man Tin, and Tin Shui Wai.
The point is not accessibility as we drive everyday.
My hesitation to determine is that I am worried about the failure to get into ESF primary.
I have heard that nowadays the interview of ESF primary will "trick" the candidates by "suddenly" saying Chinese/ Cantonese, and ESF primary would not accept those who pop up Chinese/ Cantonese words.
Thank you and hope you understand my "worries".

YYFUNG

I have visited Anfield on their open day on 10 November. It seems the principal, the staff (Elsa), the teachers are very friendly to both parents and children. I am being attracted indeed and want to put my girl to the playgroup, and k1+k2.
However, it seems they need to have "miscellaneous cost" at $5000 on top of 52000 annual school fee.
This sounds comparatively expensive than Starters, and YMCA.

Fattymom, Is it worthwhile based on your experience?

To all other mama, could you share your view on YMCA and Staraters also?

Many thanks.

YYFUNG

Hi vvnpo, and others.

Apart from the tuition fee ($50000 - year 07/08 / $52000 - year 08/09)
IThere is a service fee at $5000 for a whole year - This is what I know from the brochure and the website.

http://www.anfield.com.hk/kinder/fees.shtml

Or here I extract from the contact of website:
Breakdown of service fees as follows:
Books $470
Art Materials  $1,680
Stationery $90
Student Accident Insurance $60
Snack $1,200
Field Trips $1,500
--------------------
Total $5,000
(Either one lump sum payment HK$5,000 or 10 monthly instalments of HK$500)

I admit the school has given me a positive and harmonious atmosphere.

Hi Fattymom, it sounds your child has already graduated. Am I getting it correct? If yes, which school is he going?

Hi CSmammy, You mention your daughter is in Prep-programme.
Are you going with her on weekdays? Or your maid or granny and grandpa?

Thank you for your advice.

YYFUNG

Hi Cheerful mama.
I have no concern, and I really want my child to get used to different faces, different races. The accent can be polished up.
The priority in our mind now is having an environment for her immersing in English.

As you say, your little boy is studying there and you like it also.

It sounds Anfield is a good place for children to grow and learn.

Of course, I also need to consider money. It is why I really want to know more about Starters so that I can finally make up my mind.

Thank you for your understanding.

YYFUNG

Thank you, sks and reneeleung.

I did post the application to KCBK for file since she's one year-old. I also heard from others this is a pure English school.

Choosing a kindergarten is really a very hard job.
I want to make up my mind as soon as possible because I want to have my daughter attend playgroup in the same school.
That means, if I choose Anfield, I will let her do the playgroup in Anfield when she's 18 months.
If I choose YMCA int'l, I will let her in Toddlers world.
Reason that I do not want there are a lot of location and schools switches.

Hope you understand my "concern", and really wish to learn from all of you about the "school-hunting" experience.

Thanks!
Maria

YYFUNG

Dear cheque.
My daughter is born in June 2006. She will be eligible for K1 in 2009. I am looking for both playgroup and kindergarten that are English-focus.

I have not been to KCBK and its open day. After I sent the application for file last year, they mailed me a note saying we will be "notified" to visit the school in January 2009. They advise us not to ring th eschool to ask status, but wait for their notification. It is fine for us.

I have gone to the open day of Anfield on 10th, and will plan to visit Kingston's open day on 24th.

I may do a school visit to Starters on January 2008 (the school suggests me doing so), while YMCA Int'l has just told me the application can only be sent after August 2008. Yes, 2008!

You may find me "visiting too many schools". Yes, I know but what can I do?
Sometimes too many choices make ones undetermined. : )

In fact my top priority for my little girl is:
English  and no home-work plus fun.

Thank for all of your understanding and want to learn from all of your experience.
Maria