When we looked for a kindergarten, we were looking for a school that focussed on preschoolers – not just a tag onto a bigger school. We wanted small intimate classes with loads of personal attention because we realised our children need the extra personal assistance if they were to cope. That's simply due to the language issue.
Beyond that, we were looking for a pre-school which would be flexible and understanding of our unique situation and - in particular - our religious beliefs because the children are not yet old enough to understand the significance of what they might get involved in and make a stand for themselves. Although having said that Jonty certainly did make a stand even when in kindergarten.
Nick and I went to look at about 7 kindergartens before chosing the one we did, and have been happy with it. Benjamat Kindergarten has been good for the Bekker clan. All three kids have had very positive experiences there. They are as happy as little tadpoles in a stream, as piggies in mud, as mozzies on Nick's forehead. You get the picture.
For primary school our criteria changed a little. One thing stayed the same though: Jonty remains at a disadvantage language-wise (his Thai is good, but there’s lots he cannot express and instructions he cannot follow). We did not want him to be in a class of 45 PLUS children where he’d get lost. I was looking for a smaller, more intimate school where kids would get personal attention. That was quite an ask let me tell you!
I did not expect as much in terms of flexibility as I realise there is an education system in place, and I know that in my home country we do not do whatever foreigners expect us to do and make exceptions for them. My thinking here was to go with their system as much as possible. We flex to THEM.
As socialisation is still one of our key reasons for sending Jonty to school, we did not want him cooped up in a class all day long - we were looking for a school that allowed time for breaks.
And then there was the issue of convenience: I planned to pop in during the day to do homeschool lessons, it needed to be fairly close to where we live.
I asked advice from all my local friends, especially teachers. I really appreciated their advice and input (even if I did not follow it).
We looked at 4 primary schools which had been highly recommended by friends (some schools we’d already rejected as we’d seen them when investigating kindergartens). We chose a school that we thought was the best one, but I had a sense of unease about it – a number of niggles, I just had no sense of peace. Even though we had the application forms all completed, I felt it was not right. Eventually I felt that God was telling me “look at one more”… Nick and I went back to one of the original schools we'd looked at as a kindergarten (and had rejected) and I sensed this was the right one for Jonty at this time.
By the way, religion was not actually a consideration for primary school – we live in Thailand, a Buddhist country, so I expect schools to be Buddhist. Jonty knows what he believes, he asks intelligent and insightful spiritual questions, he can stand up for himself, and can express what he wants to do (or not do). However, as it turns out, the school we chose is a Catholic school and while there may be some different practises and beliefs, the fundamentals are the same i.e. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.
And that's how we selected our schools.... not to say we did not make mistakes with Jonty. Having him in 6 schools in less than 6 years is NOT ideal, but I don't think too much permanent damage was done.
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