Is it too early to choose a big school?

Primary school swings by faster than you think! Here’s what you need to consider when choosing one that’s right for your child

Besides all the usual worries of parenting, as your little one is growing into an older toddler there may be one thing on you mind that’s causing more anxiety than anything else: where are you sending her to school?

If this child isn’t your first, you’ll know that this is something to think about while your baby is still in size two nappies. If you want to go private, you’ll want to get their name on a waiting list pronto, and if it’s a government school you’re after, this may mean reconsidering where you live. That’s because in many areas your child’s entrance will be assessed on your postal code alone. If you don’t live in the catchment area for a school, you can still put them on a waiting list when they are born, but there is no guarantee they will get in, so make contingency plans and apply for a range of schools.

“As far as registrations go most (public) schools open registrations for the following year in August. Private schools have long waiting lists and some parents put their kids on the waiting list the minute they find out they are pregnant,” says Jackie Brindley, founder of www.schoolguide.co.za, an online guide to SA schools.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

There’s no such thing as the best school, says Jane Jarvis, educational psychologist at The Diocesan School for Girls in Grahamstown. “There’s a right school for a child, and that’s different for different children.” The first thing you should do, recommends Jane, is to visit the school while it’s in session and pick up the vibe. “If you feel comfortable in that environment, your child will likely be happy there,” she says.

Many parents worry about getting their children into a school that automatically feeds into their high school of choice. Don’t be too concerned about this, says Jane. “It can be a positive thing for a child to move into a new environment in Grade 8 where they don’t know everyone.” It’s tough to make the call when they are so young, but these are good questions to ask yourself when considering a school.

IS IT CONVENIENT?

Don’t underestimate this! If you’re a dual-working family, living close to the school makes arranging lift clubs easier and school functions and sports activities don’t become such a drag when you can avoid a long car ride to get there. It may also make it easier for your

child to foster relationships with many of the children in their class living close by – great for weekend playdates and spontaneous get-togethers.

WHAT ARE THE CLASS SIZES?

You want to find a school that offers small class sizes and low child-teacher ratios if possible, says Jackie. Private schools generally offer better learner to teacher ratios. In public schools the class sizes go up to 30 children and sometimes higher, offering less attention and time to each child.

WHAT ARE THE PLAY FACILITIES LIKE?

Look at the playground – you want your child to have space to run around, climb on things and have fun. Are they allowed to kick balls around during break, or are they expected to sit around and talk? Is the playground equipment safe and stimulating? “Physical play is a critical part of education and it doesn’t end in pre-primary school,” says Jane.

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL’S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?

Always ask any school in which you’re interested to spell out their individual philosophy and teaching methods for you, suggests Jackie. The independent schools, whether it is Montessori, a religious school, a Waldorf school or other, all differ considerably in their approach to education.

ALSO ASK THE SCHOOL ABOUT LEARNING SUPPORT

What do they offer if you have a child that struggles? Ask the school about their foundation phase programme in particular, says Jane. “Some children’s windows of opportunity for learning open later than others. Boys, in particular, may take longer to read than girls. If your son gets to Grade 3 and he isn’t yet fluent is there an opportunity for him to go slower with support?”

BE SURE TO ASK ABOUT HOMEWORK – SCHOOLS DO DIFFER ON THIS

“If you are a working mother you don’t want to come home and have to spend hours doing homework with your child.”

WHAT EXTRAS DO THEY OFFER?

Ask what extramurals are offered. “If your child reaches primary school with a variety of interests, or is not a sporty child, what else are they going to get from the school? If they are sporty, what are the opportunities? Are they just playing against a range of schools or just local one, do they tour?” asks Jane.

WHAT IS THEIR STANCE ON TECHNOLOGY?

We’re not talking about every kid having their own ipad, but technology is becoming an increasingly important consideration, says Jane. “What is their philosophy, what is the children’s access to technology? Children today have brains that are wired differently and schools need to accommodate this.”

TO GO PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT?

Parents need to give themselves permission not to feel guilty about making a choice based on convenience or affordability, says Jane. “Many people think they have to give their child a private school education, and if you don’t you’re doing them a disservice. That’s not the truth or the reality for many people.” You don’t necessarily get better teachers in a private school than in a public school. “There are a number of government schools that are excellent and offer an equally high standard of education in all aspects,” she says.

One of the pros of the independent schools is that they have more flexibility. They are often able to offer a broader range of subjects and cultural activities and they may have lower staff-pupil ratios,” she says.

Whatever choice you make, remember you can always move your child if it’s not the right fit. “It’s not a final decision, as things change as they grow up.” Your child may have a learning disability, or have an anxious disposition, which may require you to rethink your school choice,” says Jane.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS

There’s no way around this. Whether you are considering a good quality public school, or a private school, school fees are going to eat into your budget. Consider additional costs such as uniforms, extra-murals and books and stationery too. A good stateaided school may cost R6 000 to R20 000 per year compared with a private school costing above R30 000 depending on the grade. When you apply to the school you may be required to pay an application fee too.

At independent schools you may be asked to pay a deposit or admission fee from R3 000 up to R15 000 and beyond. These are sometimes non-refundable and called “development” fees. YB