GENERAL
What age group does Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak provide for?
We provide an early years education for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. Our Nursery (K1) classes are for children who turn 4 during the academic year and our Reception (K2) classes are for children turning 5 during the academic year.
How many classes will there be?
Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak has capacity for 12 classes; 6 in Nursery and 6 in Reception.
How many children will there be in each class?
Each class has a maximum capacity of 20 children.
What is the staff:child ratio?
Every class will have one dedicated Teacher and one Teaching Assistant. 6 Early Years Assistants will also support around the setting as and when necessary. These adults will not be assigned to a specific class.
What is the layout of Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak?
Harrow Little Lions is arranged over 3 floors:
- GF – Main reception area
- 1F – 6 Nursery classrooms, shared learning space, library, offices, medical room
- 2F – 6 Reception classrooms, shared learning space, outdoor learning space
Is there an outdoor area?
Yes, we have an outdoor learning space on the 2nd floor. This space will include a water play area and mud kitchen. All children will have access to the outdoor space on a daily basis.
Will Early Years provision continue at Harrow International School Hong Kong?
Yes, 3 Nursery and 3 Reception classes will continue to accept children at the Gold Coast site.
Will there be opportunities for collaboration between Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak and Harrow International School Hong Kong?
As we settle into our daily routine here at Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak, we will work with colleagues at Harrow International School to identify particular events which may lend themselves to collaboration.
ACADEMIC
What curriculum does Harrow Little Lions follow?
We follow the Little Lions Curriculum which has been specifically designed for, and is used in, all AISL Harrow schools across Hong Kong, Mainland China and Thailand. The curriculum keeps the pupils at the heart of everything we do. We focus on ‘how’ children learn as well as ‘what’ they learn. Pupils are supported to develop positive learning behaviours and personal attributes which will allow them to grow, develop and reach their individual potential.
What language is used in the classroom?
At Harrow Little Lions, our language of learning is English. Teachers and teaching assistants will always use English when communicating and interacting with the children.
Will children have Mandarin lessons?
All children will have one hour per week of Mandarin. These sessions are designed and planned to offer children exposure to Mandarin and will include the use of songs, stories, rhymes and games. Our specialist Mandarin teacher will support pupils with their language learning in their own classroom spaces.
When do the children start to learn Phonics?
In Nursery, we support children to develop their sound discrimination skills and support them to notice and identify relevant print within the environment. In Reception, we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds phonics programme and children begin more formal Phonics sessions. They begin by learning the sounds made by each letter of the alphabet.
How will Harrow Little Lions support my child if they find particular aspects of learning a challenge?
It is important to note that all children develop at different paces and in different ways. Our classroom teams individualise learning dependent upon the needs of a specific child. Teaching methods and planning are adapted to suit individuals, groups and classes. If class teachers observe that a child is finding something a little challenging, they will contact parents to let them know about how we are supporting their child in the classroom, as well as giving suggestions on strategies that could be used to support their child at home.
What qualifications do the teachers have?
All teachers will be fully qualified (with a Bachelor of Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education or equivalent) in line with AISL’s recruitment guidelines. All prospective members of staff go through the same rigorous recruitment process as at other AISL Harrow schools and have alignment to the Harrow values.
Does Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak offer extra-curricular activities?
Extra-curricular activities are not offered for the pupils in Nursery or Reception at this time.
How can I find out about what my child is learning at school?
We communicate with families in a number of ways:
- Face to face dialogue
- Online communication platform
- Parent / teacher conferences
- Formal written reports
- Parent workshops
- Curriculum events
- Social media
- Newsletters
A detailed academic calendar will be provided to families at the beginning of the school year.
What will the daily routine look like for the children?
The school day will begin at 8am and finish at 2pm. During the day, children will have extended periods of uninterrupted play where they can become absorbed in their learning and apply and consolidate new skills and knowledge. All children will have access to the outdoor area on a daily basis. Every week, children will have one hour of Mandarin and timetabled sessions for the Library and Music and Movement.
ADMISSIONS
Are parents able to visit Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak?
Yes, parents are able to visit the site. Please make your reservation via our webpage or contact our admissions team via futurestar-hk@aisl-edu.com to sign up for our regular group tours or to arrange a private tour at a time to suit you.
Will children progress directly into Year 1 at Harrow International School Hong Kong?
Pupils at Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak have priority entry into Year 1 at Harrow International School Hong Kong.
What are the fees at Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak?
Fees will be published once the school has received confirmation from the EDB. We plan to accept fee payments from August.
Does Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak offer a school bus service?
We strongly encourage families to use the bus service to ensure children arrive and leave the school site safely. We have no parking available for parents at the kindergarten.
PASTORAL
Will you provide lunch for the children?
We plan to provide lunch for the children every day, which will be freshly prepared in our on-site kitchen. Children will also be provided with a morning snack.
What happens if my child is ill during the school day?
We have a medical room which will be staffed by a nurse during the school day. If your child feels unwell, a member of the classroom team will escort them to the nurse, and you will be contacted if necessary.
What safety measures have been taken to ensure that the site is ready for children?
Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak is committed to protecting the wellbeing and safety of our pupils. Rigorous child protection, safeguarding and health and safety policies are in place and all staff will receive regular training on the implementation of these.
Since the site is new, air quality tests will be conducted by an external agency before and after furniture deliveries to ensure a healthy environment for the children.
How do you support children who are starting a new school?
We understand that starting a new school can be a little daunting for some children (and their families!). Prior to the summer break, all families will receive a pack with ideas on how to support children over the holiday to prepare them for Nursery or Reception (social development skills, developing independence etc.).
Our main focus at the beginning of the school year is building strong, positive relationships with our pupils and getting to know you as families. We make sure that pupils have time to become familiar with their new environment and feel secure in their surroundings; this may look a little different for each child and we ensure that parents are kept informed of how their child is settling into school.
