En-route To Enrollment

One moment you're rocking your infant to sleep and setting up the baby monitor, relieved for a few hours of quiet. Then before you realize it, you're sitting down scrolling through websites, leafing through brochures and calling up your friends for advice: "Where to send my child to school?"

It can seem like a monumental to work your way through the various options available, even if you've already narrowed it down to an international school. Half day or full day? What are the additional programs offered? How much tuition payment will you be expected to pay at once? Where does the curriculum come from? Are there any required fees you forgot to ask about? What about the teachers??

Yes, the list can seem daunting indeed. And that doesn't even touch on the topic of when your child, or children, actually begin school. Every parent wants their child to be the model studen who smoothly transitions into the classroom and gushes about their new friends on the first day, only to risk potential dismay when the tears and separation anxiety begin.

Not to worry! We've been in those shoes and know just how it feels. Below you'll find some helpful hints to help smooth the enrollment process as we walk you through the procedure,with the added bonus of viewing our curriculum, fees and programs on the way. These tips aren't specific to DK Schoolhouse and can be used as a guideline to wherever you decide is the best choice for your Little Learner.

Do your research. If you haven't already, make a list of potential schools and thoroughly research their online presence. You may not find all the information you were looking for but it will provide you with some additional information. DK Schoolhouse, for example, publishes daily updates to Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin and of course, our website. (NOTE: Currently under construction.)

Many schools offer an abundance of information right on their website, or once you've submitted a request. DK Schoolhouse provides all Pricing, Academic Calendars, Timetables and enrollment documents online, so you can fill out the information and #gogreen!

You can find our Academic 2020-2021 Calendar , Application Form, Health Questionnaire, Sample Timetable and School Fees right here.

Be ready to ask, ask, and ask some more. Note down your questions in advance and fire away. Your questions will vary greatly on the age of your child and your expectations for their time spent in school. While you've probably done some research on the school's philosophy, try asking how it's being integrated into the school's approach to learning. Every school has a different approach to implementing their philosophy. How does it effect class sizes, routines and programs? For example, the DK Schoolhouse philosophy holds to the belief that we are "Your Child's Second Family". As such, we provide a bespoke curriculum where children are encouraged to be a part of the learning experience, and emphasize development in key areas such as teamwork, fostering resiliency, developing an awareness of themselves as a part of a wider community, and equality.

Your child will be going to this school, so get to know it as well as you can. PRO TIP: If you're bringing your child for a visit, aim for mid-morning, How long has it been open? What affiliate programs do they have? What facilities do they partner with for health care, school trips, sports, etc? What are their post Covid-19 hygiene protocols? What sort of Parent-School communication is available? Be sure to allow for plenty of time to hear the answers.

The school will likely have a list of questions to help them get to know your child, and most will require written information for any additional needs. You can ease this process by preparing a shortlist of information that will be useful for your child's teacher. At DK Schoolhouse, we ask parents to tell us:

Remember the more information you provide, the easier it is for both the school, and your child's teacher to understand what works and what doesn't.

And last but not least, look at the details as you commence your school tour. How do the teachers interact with the students? What's the student vs. teacher ratio? What curriculum is used, and is it accredited? How does the school implement COVID-19 hygiene policies? At DK, parents are provided with a pick up card that must be presented when collecting their child. We reserve the right to refuse to allow a child to be picked up by someone we do not know unless parents have been notified by phone and given verbal consent. We maintain the strictest levels of hygiene, teaching children to apply these same practices at home.

It is vital for children of all ages to spend time outdoors getting in physical exercise, socializing and developing their fine and gross motor skills. Find out how much time is allotted for recess each day, and how is it structured into the daily schedule? Students at DK Schoolhouse are allotted a healthy amount of recess time, and encouraged to drink plenty of water while outdoors and playing.

The results are back: Maintaining a close relationship with school is vital to your child's academic and social development. Find out what avenues for communication the school has made available, and how you can get and stay involved in your child's education.