Kindergarten Online Application

General Instructions

(for General and Central Applications):

To get you started with the online application process, please read the instructions below.

Note: The ‘Online Admissions System’ is scheduled to perform regular system maintenance every Sunday from 3am to 3:30am (Hong Kong time). During this time, the online application forms will not be available.

Site Navigation

You can move from section to section within the ESF Kindergarten online application by simply clicking one of the tabs. In addition, there are a number of quick links, which can help you navigate through the OAS form.

MODIFY button – This function is available on the Preview Application page. If you wish to edit your application, you may go back to the application and make changes before submitting the application.

SUBMIT button – This function is available after you have previewed the application and are ready to submit the application form.

PRINT button – This function is available after you submit your application. You should print a copy of the application for your records.

Privacy Policy – View our Privacy Policy on data collection and security.

Managing your Application

Before you start completing your application, you will be asked the required admissions date. Please note this date is for our reference and is not a guarantee of placement.

ESF will determine the Year Group for admission according to your child’s date of birth. The Year Group may be adjusted to ensure your child’s date of birth matches the ESF system age requirements. See the ESF website under policy and procedures for Age to Year group table.

Once you have completed the application, you may preview the form before it is submitted. There is an ‘edit’ button to make any changes before submission. Once you hit the ‘submit’ button, the application is saved to the database and you will not be able to electronically edit any part of the application.

After submission if there are changes required to your application, you will need to email the ESF Kindergarten (refer to the Kindergarten website) quoting your ‘application reference number’, your child’s name and details of changes required.

After successful submission, you will be asked to ‘print’ your application form. You should print one to retain for your records. Supporting documents (listed on the application checklist) should be submitted online.

One-Form Application for All Kindergartens

Parents may submit one online application per child with their selected preference of kindergartens. Parents may choose up to three selected schools; the options are ESF Hillside / Abacus / Tsing Yi / Wu Kai Sha / Tung Chung Kindergartens.

Important to note when selecting your preference of school(s):

  1. Parents must indicate minimum of one school, maximum of three. Once the form is completed, options cannot be altered and processing will be according to availability for one school only.
  2. If there is no availability for any of your preferred schools, the application will be placed on a waitlist according to the first preferred school only.

Completing the Application Form

The online application form will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete; suggested maximum time for online form is 60 minutes. Please allow yourself enough time before you start.

Be sure to check your email address and make sure it is accurate; otherwise, you will not receive any confirmations or updates from the Kindergarten.

In addition, please make sure your email account will not block correspondence from our school. Some Internet Service Providers have very sensitive security settings.

Please note: all correspondence will bear the exact name you enter in your application and will be sent to the contact address (email or post) provided. Please make sure this information is correct.

Before you begin the online application, please have ready the following:

  1. Your child’s Hong Kong ID, passport and birth certificate number and date of birth details.
  2. If your child has siblings, their Hong Kong ID or passport number and date of birth details.
  3. Details of your child’s previous school history.
  4. A digital photo of your child saved on your computer.
  5. Credit Card details for application fee online payment.
  6. Supporting documents (listed on the application checklist) in PDF format.

Data Fields

Mandatory fields are identified with a red asterisk *. If no information is available for input to a mandatory field, you should ‘click’ the ‘N/A’ (not applicable) button next to the field or type ‘NA’.

Digital Photo and Supporting Documents

You should upload your child’s digital photo in JPEG and supporting documents in PDF format to the application form. Please save a copy on your computer before you start the online application.

After completing your application, click the submit button. The Online Admission System will verify all necessary data is entered correctly. There will be a delay of approximately 30-60 seconds before you view the next screen.

On submission of the online application form, you will:

  1. See on screen the ‘application slip’ with your 13-digit unique application reference number.
  2. Receive an acknowledgement email from the Online Admissions System. (Please note you may not receive this email if your email address is incorrect or the security of your provider has blocked our email.) Please print the application slip or the acknowledgement email for your records. This reference number along with your child’s name should be used for enquiry and in correspondence with the Kindergarten.

Application Fee - Online Payment

The kindergarten application fee is HK$500*. This is a non-refundable, non-transferable administration fee which covers the cost of admissions. The collection of this fee does not constitute any assurance that a school place or an interview will be offered. The method of payment is by credit card through PayDollar, our online payment service provider.

You will be redirected to PayDollar.com for online payment. PayDollar is a leading, secure and reliable international payment service provider to banks and online merchants since 2000. Your payment details are securely transmitted to the acquiring bank. ESF will not have access to or keep any of your credit card information.

PayDollar supports CVV/CVC check. You will be requested to enter the 3 or 4 digit code found on the back of your credit card. If you decide to use a VISA card issued by a bank which has launched the “Verified BY VISA” or MasterCard Secure Code, you will be required by the bank to provide details for verification.

If your online payment fails, please write a HK$500 cheque payable to the “ESF Educational Services Limited” with your child’s name and application reference number clearly printed on the back of the cheque. The cheque must be sent attached with the supporting documents.

Please note: If you are experiencing difficulties using the ‘online’ application form, please check that your browser is updated to the latest version or try submitting the form on a different computer. For other online admissions queries regarding applications, you may call the individual Kindergarten during office hours.

*Effective 1 September 2023, the application fee will be increased to $1,000 (subject to Education Bureau’s approval).

Supporting Documents

In addition to the application form, you are required to submit supporting documents according to the checklist on the ESF website electronically. An applicant can only be considered when the necessary documents are received. You may upload the supporting documents later if you do not have them on hand at the point of application.

We suggest that parents do not wait until the Central Admissions deadline of 30 September 2023 to submit an online application.

Final Thoughts

Before you begin work on your Kindergarten application form, please be aware of the following:

Check the information and items to have ready to ensure you know exactly what needs to be submitted in order for you to be considered for admission.

If you are using a computer which is not your own, when you have completed application, be sure to close your browser for security reasons to protect your personal data.

Your child’s application will be placed on the Kindergarten waiting list. The Kindergarten will contact you for any admissions assessment when there is place availability for your child.

If you are not sure that your application was successfully submitted, it is your responsibility to contact the Kindergarten to ensure your application was sent successfully.

If you have any enquiry or questions regarding completing the Kindergarten ‘online application’ please email or call the specific Kindergarten.

Admissions Enquiries

Questions? Feel free to see the list of frequently asked questions here.

Or, contact us at:

 

Updated on: 29 June 2023