Kindergartens

Monday, 23 August 2010

Today we went to see 2 kindergartens. At 5 years old our youngest children; twins; are too young to attend Primary school in China, so we took a look at what is available to them here in Nanchang. Matthew had previously viewed 3 establishments but ruled out one as it looked too dirty......."Lovely staff, though", he said.

So, in the heat and humidity, we walked the short distance to the first kindergarten. We took Matthew's assistant with us so she could translate. Once signed in at the security gate we then headed up the stairs in front of a large covered atrium that was overlooked by 2 stories of wide-walkways leading to the classrooms around the inside of the building. We were met by the Principal, Mrs Zhang, who didn't speak any English but ushered us to sit whilst my questions were relayed via our assistant. "School starts at 6am and finishes at 8:30pm, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, as well as books and uniform, which should only be worn on Mondays. No holidays".

Perfect! When can I sign them up?

The principal is concerned about communication as no-one in the school speaks English and my children do not speak Mandarin. We agreed that my children's actual school day; to fit in with the school timetable, and ours; should start at 8am and finish at 4:15pm. They would come home to eat dinner.

"No refunds given for missed meals or hours", hastily added Mrs Zhang.

We were shown around the school; it looked clean and well-maintained, and the teachers looked nice and smiley. The children, 36 to a class, waved and said "hello" in English. They were just having lunch at 11:30am; sloppy white rice floating in their small bowls.

"The national and provincial curriculum would be followed, play-based", continued our assistant, and there would also be art, ITC, in the schools own computer room, and dance lessons in one of the 2 studios. English would be taught twice a week, by Chinese tutors. "Children can also have an hours piano tuition at break-time for 30 Yuan extra. Children will sleep for 2 hours after lunch".

What? My children? My 5-year-old children that hadn't taken an afternoon nap since the ages of 2............Sleep?!.....during the day.......for 2 hours? Two whole hours?

"The teacher will help all children to get used to take a nap".

We were shown the toilets, small wall-mounted urinals for the boys and small Asian squat-loos for the girls. Hmmmmmm.......have to toilet train the children using the Asian loo in our apartment. Just the thought is making me stressed! Should one wear shoes? (Shoes are always removed at the entrance of our home......a legacy from having lived in Asia for 6 years). How do you balance; and aim; and stop from getting wet legs; feet; socks; knickers; trousers; skirt? It all sounds too messy! And, what if you lose your balance? I can feel a headache coming on............

We headed outside to the 2 large grassy play areas on either side of the building. My children made a bee-line straight for the swings and climbing frame. There was also a large shallow swimming pool, with no water.

"The pool is used everyday in summer, and the water changed everyday", relayed our assistant. "It is used at playtimes. Summer is the month of July, and finished now." As Felix ran by, I called him back; the rear of his trousers were quite horribly-stained with a large brown patch.

"Oh no", I said to Matthew, "I think he's got an upset tummy".

Further investigation showed that it was where his trousers had "cleaned" the playground's aparatus.

So, all-in-all I feel quite happy with this kindergarten. We took a look at my husband's second choice, but like him I preferred the first.....the second seeming much too sterile, with no children's work displayed, and no children to be seen!

"So, when can they start?" I enquired.

"First they need the medical, at the local hospital, with the blood test".

Don't like the sound of that! I winced involuntarily at the memory of my medical and blood test carried out just last week at the immigrimation offices in Suzhou by The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China. I had been accompanied by a Suzhou-assistant as we trailed from room to room in a long line of Chinese people; they all going through the process in order to leave the country. My arm had been laid on the desk in front of a nurse, and as she gestured for me to make a fist, I was stabbed in the crook of my arm where it bends at the elbow, a long-draw of blood taken with the already-unwrapped needle that came from a plastic tupperware-box on her desk. I remembered articles I had read about such occassions. Should I have bought my own needle with me from Boots in the High Street? Was this one of the medical places that my time working for a travel insurance emergency hotline in the UK advised callers to die quietly of their complaint rather than seek help at the local hospital? Had I been infected with something nasty, something that wouldn't show up in these results, but took time to incubate? Too late! The deed was done.

The children; that hadn't been anywhere nearby during this part of the conversation; suddenly appeared. They have radar to detect my vibes and moods........."we won't go to school, Mummy!", they both chorussed, "but can we still come and use the playground here if we don't have the blood-test?"

Later I explained my worries fully to Matthew's assistant, and she rang her preferred hospital and was told that patients could not bring in their own needles for use, but that disposable needles would be used - and that they would only be used once and then discarded. Maybe we'll go there on Friday........