Choosing a School for a Five Year Old (June 2009) : 31/05/2009

Choosing a school: Step by Step

Working through the following steps will help you sort out which school will suit your child best.

1. Make a list of possible schools

2. Narrow the list

3. Consider the quality of education the school provides

4. Make appointments to visit the schools you are considering

5. Enrol your child at the school you have chosen

1. Make a list of possible schools

Consider:

• transport to and from school

• closeness to your home or work

• whether there is a safe way to walk to and from school

• schools you will choose or have chosen for your child’s brothers and sisters

• the schools your child’s friends will be going to

• the special character of an integrated school

Look for the names and addresses of schools near to where you live or work. Find these addresses:

• in the telephone directory

• from maps

• by contacting the nearest Education Review Office

• by contacting the local Ministry of Education

2. Narrow the list

There are different types of school, some of which may be available in your locality. Look in Section 3- Information for Parents under the following headings:

• Composite school

• Contributing school

• Full primary school

• Integrated school

• Kura kaupapa Māori

• Private school

• Special education

If you are interested in the size of the school or the way junior classes are organised look in Section 3 - Information for Parents under these headings:

• Closed roll

• Open plan or variable space

• Roll size

• Single cell classroom

If you prefer a particular type of school or if roll size is an issue for you, find out the types and rolls of schools on your own list by:

• asking each school

• reading ERO reports

• asking the Ministry of Education

3. Consider the quality of education the school provides

The quality of the education provided is the responsibility of the board of trustees.
Look in Section 3 – Information for Parents for:

• Board of trustees

• Principal

Members of the board of trustees, the principal and teachers of the school should be willing to make a time when they are not teaching children, to talk with you and answer your questions about the school. Most schools also have written information available.

Look in Section 3 – Information for Parents for:

• Prospectus or information booklet

• ERO

• Documents and policies

• Charter

Your child’s learning is the most important issue to consider. Find out how teaching and learning are managed and organised day to day.

Look in Section 3 – Information for Parents for:

• Curriculum

• Learning objectives/learning outcomes

4. Make appointments to visit the schools you are considering

• Arrange to see the principal and any teachers of five year olds

• Ask to visit classrooms during the school day

• Observe children in the playground

Look at the relationships among children and between teachers and children. Expect the children to be contented and absorbed in their learning task. Do not expect a junior classroom to be silent. There should be a purposeful buzz of activity with children asking questions and having conversations with adults and with other children.

Read the descriptions of good classrooms in Section 4 - Five Year Olds in the Classroom

Make sure that your child is likely to learn and be happy and secure in this environment.

5. Enrol your child at the school you have chosen

• The school will tell you how to do this