Pre-K
7 Key Questions
How much dedicated outdoor playtime do the children get, and are their play areas separated from the older students?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026HKA’s early childhood space is a dedicated area of the Primary School. Pre-K classrooms open up directly onto our Early Childhood Playscapes and every morning starts with a 30 minute Outdoor Exploration session. The Early Childhood Playscapes are designed for children aged 3 – 7 years old and contain sand and mud pits, organic gardens,...
Do you have after school activities for Pre-K children?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026HKA has an afternoon enrichment programme for Pre-K children who are ready for it. To offer our families greater flexibility and deepen student’s cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development, parents may choose to register their Pre-K children for The Maker’s Atelier. This optional after-school programme is structured to intentionally build upon the IB PYP curriculum through...
How do you support students social-emotional learning in Pre-K?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026The wellbeing programme for Pre-Kindergarten students focuses on promoting a positive sense of self, physical and mental health, and the development of self-regulation skills. Pre-K students meet with the counsellor for weekly Wellbeing classes and teachers also integrate learning about wellbeing into daily activities. The programme supports children in identifying and managing stress, taking initiative,...
Do we get to see what our children are learning, and how often will I hear about daily eating and social progress?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026Primary School teachers send weekly newsletters outlining learning highlights from the week and alerting parents of any upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. HKA parents are regularly invited into the classroom to support programmes such as ‘Mystery Reader’ and to support their childs class as field trip and water safety chaperones. Any daily eating concerns are...
How do your teachers handle separation anxiety during the first few weeks of school?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026The first few weeks of school can be daunting for our youngest leaners and their parents! Teachers handle separation anxiety by creating a warm, supportive, and predictable environment that helps children feel safe and comfortable. They build strong, trusting relationships with students through consistent routines and positive interactions. Strategies include a gradual phase in schedule...
What is the teacher-to-child ratio, and what is your policy on potty training or handling bathroom accidents?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026HKA has an exceptionally low student:teacher ratio of 5:1 in Pre-K. We anticipate that Pre-K students are toilet trained and also understand that accidents can happen. Children go to the early childhood bathroom independently and teachers encourage good personal hygiene habits by giving reminders about washing hands and teach children about respecting privacy whilst in...
We heard you are a “Happy School”—what is your balance between play-based learning and structured academic readiness?
Last Updated: July 31, 2026When a child is happy they are in the best state to learn and for young children learning and doing are deeply linked. HKA therefore purposefully integrates play-based learning and academic readiness in a joyful, engaging and developmentally appropriate manner. Purposeful play-based learning underpins and stretches our students’ academic readiness by providing them with opportunities...
