Mum-of-two Amanda Laverick shares why she's so impressed with OWIS and how it's helped her little ones thrive in a 'big school'
For us parents, sending our ‘lil tots to big kid school is one of the most nerve-wracking moments in our parenting journey. After all, it’s a sign that our babies are finally growing up – and we’re not ready! But for this family, it was OWIS‘s warm and nurturing environment that helped their preschoolers transition from a small preschool to a larger “big school” with ease. Here’s what else we’ve learned from mum-of-two Amanda Laverick:
Hi Amanda, what were you looking for in a “big school” for your preschoolers?
There were a number of different criteria involved for us in selecting a school for our son Rufus and our daughter Elsa, who are 5 and 4 years old respectively. We wanted something that followed a similar system to the British system for the early years, something relatively easy for us to get to and also something manageable from a budget point of view. We also wanted a school that felt ‘right’.
And what made you decide on OWIS?
We love the fact that it feels friendly and welcoming from the minute you walk onto the campus. The campus is located about 15 minutes drive away from us and the fees are very reasonable. Plus, I like the way the curriculum is delivered.
How did the school make your children feel welcome?
The school made videos of the classrooms and introductory videos from each teacher so the children could meet them prior to the start of school (as there were no in person meetings as normal, due to Covid, this year). They then have an army of teachers and support staff greeting the children each morning and guiding them to their classrooms, all ready with a “Good Morning” and a smile. It gets the day off to a lovely start!
Would you say your family’s happy with the school?
Yes! I was worried the children would struggle going from a small pre-school to a larger “big school”, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. They have both settled in really well and love going to school each day. The commute is good for us and 1.5 years on I still feel that same welcoming atmosphere I experienced from my tour in the early days of school selection.
The children have made lots of friends at school and enjoy seeing their friends and teachers each day. The range of activities they do on a daily basis keeps them engaged and interested and they love sharing their learning journey with their classmates, and also at home.
Do you have any advice for other parents trying to choose a school for preschoolers?
Visit the school where possible to get a ‘feel’ for it. I believe this was a big factor in our decision to send the children to OWIS. Also, think about your future plans and locations. If you had to repatriate for any reason, then you should pick a school with the same or similar curriculum.
What does the school do in terms of building a community for parents?
There is an active OWIS Parents Committee which I am a member of. Parents are encouraged to join and participate in events around the school which is a great way for parents to contribute. I am also Class Rep and this helps build networks within the individual classes amongst the parents. It means we can support each other in our children’s learning.
Thank you, Amanda!
This post is in partnership with OWIS.
