sending my 3 year old to school overseas
Tips for Choosing a School Abroad
If you're reading this, it's likely that you have a child in school or may be preparing to send one in the future. Choosing the right school for your child, even within your own country, is a BIG decision. When Crosby was just 2.5 years old, we were fortunate to find a preschool in Idaho that we instantly loved, even though sending him to school wasn't on our minds at the time. A close friend recommended it, we took a tour, and the rest is history. This year, however, marked a new chapter as I realized that, at nearly four years old, it was time for him to start school in the UK.
After we moved to the UK, we immediately began researching various schools in our area. However, we quickly felt overwhelmed and confused by the range of options and styles, especially when comparing them to schools back home. As I’ve mentioned previously, my child has been receiving speech therapy for some time, and we were fortunate to get a contract in an English-speaking country, which was a key factor in our hockey decision (ensuring there was an English-speaking school available for him). I do have many friends whose children flourish in schools that teach in different languages. However, due to our personal challenges with speech and language, English was essential for him to thrive and to prepare for Kindergarten. Below, I will share some insights I’ve gained during our journey to find the right fit for him and for us.
THE PRE GAME SCOUT
While still in the US, we reached out to the team for our address for the hockey season to look up nearby schools in the area. Initially, this was a simple Google search, but it quickly became more complex as we discovered more information. In the UK and many other European countries, early education is more play-based until the age of six, whereas in the US, by kindergarten (age five), children are expected to spend a significant amount of time sitting at desks and following instructions. I wanted to find a balance of structure and play so that our child could stay on track with what is expected back home in the United States. We emailed several schools explaining our situation and received responses from a few, although some schools were closed for the holiday and did not reply.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED ABOUT SCHOOLS IN THE UK
When it comes to choosing a preschool for a child under 4, there are many options to consider, each with its unique structure and benefits. Some preschools operate year-round, while others follow a term-time-only schedule. Additionally, certain preschools are part of larger, more structured institutions known as "maintained schools," which employ qualified teachers rather than childcare workers. We toured four different preschools before making our decision. The first two we visited were year-round schools, but they felt more like daycares, which didn't align with the structured environment we were looking for. Ultimately, it's essential to choose a preschool that fits your family's needs and your child's developmental requirements. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and it's important to respect each family's choice in finding the right educational setting for their child.
In the UK, the year after your child turns four, they can attend something called "reception," which is similar to preschool or kindergarten in the US. This is definitely something to consider for the following year. If you have one working parent, the government provides 15 hours a week of free schooling for children ages three and up. Or 30 for two working parents. For younger children, eligibility can vary based on your visa status. For example, Skylar isn’t entitled to this benefit due to the specifics of our visa, so we would have to cover the costs ourselves if we wanted her to attend a nursery. If we were paying out of pocket, I would lean more towards child-minding, another popular and potentially government-funded option in the UK.
QUESTIONS I ASK WHEN LOOKING AT SCHOOLS
Safety and security has always been my top priority when evaluating preschools. In the UK, I was impressed by the robust security measures in place at every preschool we visited. This gave me a great sense of reassurance.
Another key aspect I inquire about is the structure of a typical day. I found that the schools we considered, including the one we ultimately chose, are very child-led, fostering independence. This approach contrasts with our experience back home in Idaho, where children are expected to enter the school independently from day one. In the UK, and in many European countries, parents attend with their children on the first day and sometimes the first week. Today, I went with Crosby and was pleasantly surprised to see his confidence; he didn't seem to need me at all. Tomorrow, he will attend on his own for an hour, and if all goes well, he will continue for the remainder of the week according to the schedule we agreed upon.
TO SUMMARIZE
We recently faced some challenging weeks as Crosby missed his friends and school back home. He went through a phase where he was reluctant to attend a new school or make any plans. This was truly heartbreaking, leaving us feeling quite helpless. However, he has shown me the meaning of resilience and the importance of trusting the journey. Observing our children adapt to this lifestyle is truly remarkable; it often reminds you that everything you need is right in front of you. I strive to frame this as an opportunity for him, emphasizing that while we maintain our old friendships and home, we also have the chance to make new friends during our wait to return. Today, I saw genuine joy on his face when he finally got to play with kids his own age, and I know he will be eager to go back and regain some structure in his life—and mine as well. Sending your child to a new school in a different country can be daunting, but it's essential to trust the process, just as we trust the hockey journey.
This website was very helpful to me when figuring out schools in the area that met our needs: https://www.childcare.co.uk/
