Choosing the Right School in Australia: A Family’s Real Experience
Just like finding a place to live or securing a job in Australia, finding the right school for our daughter required careful consideration and research. Like many immigrant parents, we had to navigate the Australian school system from scratch — from kindergarten to primary school.
When we moved to Australia in 2016, our daughter was just 2 and a half years old. Here in Australia, kids can start attending kindergarten (kinder) when they turn three. Luckily, my nephew was already enrolled in a local kinder. So, we decided to enroll our daughter in the same program the following year since it was conveniently located near my sister-in-law’s home. At this stage, 3-year-olds only attend school 1-2 days a week, which was perfect for our needs.
However, as life progressed, so did our situation. We moved into our own rental home, and both my husband and I secured jobs. It became clear that we needed to find a new kinder that could accommodate our schedules. Moreover, we need a kinder which can provide the care our daughter needed while we were at work.
Top 3 Considerations When Choosing a 4-Year-Old Kindergarten in Australia
1. Proximity to Our Home
One of our top priorities was finding a kindergarten close to our house. With my husband commuting to the city early in the morning, the responsibility of dropping off and picking up our daughter fell to me. Fortunately, I found a part-time job with hours from 9 AM to 3 PM, just a short drive from our home. This meant we needed a kindergarten nearby so I could easily manage drop-offs before work and pick-ups afterward.
2. Kinder Programs and Childcare Options
We also wanted a kindergarten that offered extended childcare options. This is in cases when I get delayed at work or stuck in traffic. Most 4-year-old kinder programs finish around 3 PM, right when my workday ends. We needed peace of mind so that our daughter could stay safely at kindergarten until I could pick her up. That is even if I had to wrap up something urgent at the office.
3. Teacher-Student Ratio
Our daughter was quite timid at the time, so finding a kinder with a favorable teacher-student ratio was crucial. A smaller class size would ensure that she received the attention she needed. In addition, it will help her adjust to the new environment and classmates more comfortably. We were fortunate to find a kinder within walking distance that offered the right balance. In their 4-year-old class, the teacher-student ratio is 1:7.
Transitioning to Primary School: A New Set of Challenges
As our daughter prepared to move from kinder to primary school, we faced a new challenge: finding the right “big school”. We visited three local primary schools, each with its own unique mission and values. We gained valuable insights into each school’s environment by attending open days and school tours. Additionally, it helped us envision where our daughter would thrive.
Top 5 Considerations When Choosing a Primary School in Australia
1. Understanding Our Daughter’s Personality
Knowing our daughter’s personality, needs, and strengths played a significant role in our decision. As she was still quite shy, we sought a school that offered a small, nurturing environment. In this way, she could feel safe and supported. We wanted her natural talents to be recognized and encouraged. Consequently, she will gradually build confidence and come out of her shell.
2. School Size and Curriculum
We closely examined each school’s size, curriculum, and facilities, including the availability of extracurricular activities. Unlike kindergarten, where multiple educators were present, primary school typically has only one teacher per class. Given our daughter’s timidity around new people, we preferred a school with smaller classes. This will ensure the teacher could provide personalized attention if needed.
3. Proximity to Home
As with our kinder search, proximity to our home remained a key factor. I needed to be able to drop off our daughter before heading to work and pick her up afterward without disrupting our schedule. A nearby school would also mean less travel time, giving us more quality time together as a family.
4. Availability of Before and After School Care
We also considered schools that offered before and after-school care. Plus, ideally within the school premises. These services provided a safety net for days when I might be caught in traffic or needed to work late. It also gave us the option to drop our daughter off early if necessary. This will make our daily routine smoother.
5. Financial Capability
Finally, we carefully weighed the costs of different schooling options. Public schools were the most budget-friendly, but their larger sizes could be overwhelming for our daughter. In the end, we narrowed our choices down to three nearby Catholic schools that ticked most of our boxes. That is, balancing affordability with a nurturing environment that suited our daughter’s personality.
After thorough consideration, we chose the closest Catholic school to our home. This decision proved to be the right fit for our daughter’s needs, as well as our family’s schedule and preferences.
Reflecting on Our Journey
Choosing the right school in Australia as an immigrant family takes time, research, and trust in the process. Finding the right school for our daughter was not just about academic. It was about finding a place where she could feel comfortable, grow, and develop her unique strengths. Our journey to navigate the Australian education system was challenging. But with patience and careful planning, we found a path that worked for our family.
As we continue to settle into our new life in Australia, each step brings us closer to feeling at home. Every decision, including finding the right school, plays a significant role in shaping our family’s future.