The Schooling Path for your kids

[Geo]

Dear All,

I am a foreigner and did not go through the HK education System. However, I understand there are 4 classes of schools in HK namely
a) Govt school (rare)
b) Govt Subsidised school (run by charitable org with govt funding)
c) Private (Direct Subsidy scheme school eg. St. Paul's Co-ed/ Diocesan Boy's)
d) Private International School

Would experienced parents out there care to share what type of path they have in mind for their kids? Example:
1) would they send them to a pre-nursery school and where? At what age?
2) where would they like their kids to be eg. Private Int'l schools or Govt subsidised school and which ones?
3) What type of expectations they have for their kids eg. to be able to speak fluently in Native English.
4) Sharings of their kid's current situation in school, the likes and dislikes preferably from pre-nursery to Kindergartens cos my boy is now 19 mths old.

5) Also I like to know what is the age to start Kindergarten?

Thank you in advance and I believe you what share will be very valuable to many people out there including myself and yourself too?

[Geo]

By the way, I am staying at Mid-levels. It would be useful to review schools around this area. Thanks.

[loupou]

Kids in HK usually start in kindergarten at age 3. It's called K-1. It is possible to find some nursery schools that take them from age 2. Usually half-day. Some really "enthusiastic" parents send the kids to 2 separate kindergartens - one in the morning and one in the afternoon (w/ a uniform change I presume at lunch time).

Govt. schools, Govt. subsidized schools and DSS all start at age 6 (P1).

The EMB web site has a lot of info that can answer your questions

1. FAQ on choosing a kindergarten
http://www.emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?langno=1&no***D=4150

2. Overview of Kindergarten education in HK
http://www.emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?langno=1&no***D=916

3. Information on P1 School Allocation
http://www.emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?no***D=1497&langno=1

4. Primary School Profiles
http://embhsc.hkedcity.net/primary/


I sent my kids to nursery school and local kindergartens. I sent the eldest to a local Govt. subsidized school for 2 years until it got to be too much for us. My kids now attend an ESF school.