fbpx
Site logo

--- Advertisement ---

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Choosing Your Child’s First School

Your child’s first school and introduction to a learning experience plays a significant role in their attitudes towards lifelong learning as well as helps to develop and shape their character.

As a parent, it is your prime responsibility to ensure that your child has the best first school experience possible. However, many parents are overwhelmed by the thought of finding the ‘perfect school’ for their child. The skills your child learns outside of their home environment in terms of behaviour, social skills and early attitudes to academics are all cultivated during their early years experience. It is therefore really important that you conduct some research on where to send your children to school.

Many factors need to be considered including language, location, cost and the various programmes of curricula offered. In Bangkok there are an overwhelming amount of choices and this can sometimes feel like a daunting task. To make things easier for you we have given you some considerations to help guide you through this important
selection process. In addition, annually we publish a free digital and printed International Schools guide with a fully comprehensive list of schools in Bangkok and a little beyond.

Identify Your Priorities

First days of school

Identify your priorities in terms of a school near your home or office and how convenient this will be for travel. Moving around Bangkok can be a slow and frustrating journey which is why many families choose to live within close proximity to the school. Next is the choice of specific curriculum, an IB world school, the British or American curriculum and if you need a school that offers a pre-school for younger children as well as options for the secondary years. All school admission offices and web pages display a full list of yearly tuition fees so it’s a good idea to check these in advance. They will also show the additional costs for extra requirements such as, ESL (English second language) classes and school bus transportation.

Make A Short List

Time to now make a shortlist of the schools that meet your individual needs. It’s a good idea to speak to other people with children attending the schools, word of mouth is extremely helpful and you will find families usually won’t recommend a place unless they have had a positive experience. Albeit choosing a school is a very personal decision and sometimes you can make or break a connection during your actual visit.

Visit The Schools

Visiting the schools you select is an incredibly important part of the selection process and try to always visit during school hours. All schools will offer an accompanied tour of the schools facilities, sports arenas and cafeterias. You may request to visit specific year level classrooms to get a better feel of the size and nature of the classes. Here you can observe the teacher to student ratio, if teaching assistants are present, look at samples of class work and generally see if the students are engaged and happy.

School Tour check list

Ask Questions

A good idea is to come prepared with a list of questions for the school administrators, school hours, food choices, uniform requirements and opportunities for creative play and extra curricular activities. You may also request a meeting with the relevant heads of school to enquire into the schools mission statement and credentials for the schools faculty. Consider whether the school is accredited, what their child safeguarding policy is and what learning support they offer throughout the school. It’s also a good idea to request a sample of the school calendar and for older students a sample of a school timetable to determine the duration and amount of classes per day.

Apply To Several Schools

Do apply to several schools in order to keep your options open. Most schools will have a wait list based on different factors, year level, nationality and if any extra learning support is required. The school admissions department will be able to determine if spaces are available immediately or the length of any waiting list. You can also periodically enquire if more spaces have become available and discuss options of joining in term 1 or 2 if the school is able to only accommodate you later in the academic year.

School admissions checklist

Pssst... like what you're reading?

Join our community and never miss an event, post or update!

Just enter your email address below:

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Follow Us!

Upcoming Events

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel – Easter Celebrations

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel 155 Rajadamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

 , Experience a multitude of Easter delights and immersive activities at Mocha&Muffins.  - Hop over and pick up your very own Easter Bunny basket, bulging with yummy sweets and treats. […]

Storytime Preschool – Toddlers Playgroup

Storytime Preschool 85 Soi Samaharn, Sukhumvit 4, Bangkok

Join us every Wednesday with Miss Polly for playgroup fun! We have music, movement, water play, sand play, art, sensory activities & so much more planned! Non Storytime students welcome […]

฿350

Duc De Praslin Belgium – Chocolate : Easter Day

Duc De Praslin Belgium - Chocolate G. fl., RSU Tower, bangkok, Thailand

  Celebrate Easter joyfully with your little ones by embracing Duc de Praslin's specially curated Easter Collection. Our delightful assortment is crafted to bring smiles to young faces, featuring whimsical […]

Please Contact

SPINT Academy – Kids FMS

NOAH FUTSAL Sukhumvit26 20/74 soi atthakawe1, sukhumvit26-rd Noahbkk@26, Bambini villa, Klonton, Klongtoey, bangkok, Thailand

Why do we need to have a good FMS? Having a good fundamental movement skills doesn’t only improve your sport performance 5-9 Years old Class starts 17 Febuary (8 weeks […]

Climb Central Bangkok – Kids Class

Climb Central Bangkok 80-1 Kanlapaphruek Rd, Khwaeng Bang Khae, Khet Bang Khae, Bangkok, Thailand

  Packages for children Join Now !! Packages for children who are interested in participating in activities during the school break There will be 5 sessions (1.30 Hour of study […]

฿3,000
Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get the latest kid and family-friendly activities and events in your inbox every Thursday! No spam, guaranteed.

More information

Recent Posts

Kids water flight

Songkran Camps for Kids in Bangkok

With the Songkran school holidays just around the corner, and summer not far on the horizon, many parents will be keen to find fun and rewarding activities for their children

whale at sea

Day Trip: Whale Watching in Petchburi

Mention whale watching in Thailand and you may get funny looks. Not widely known, the Gulf of Thailand is indeed home to whales, specifically Bryde’s (pronounced ‘bruda’) Whales. These majestic