EDUCATION

from Expat Parent September 2020

NEWS

Les Petits Lascars

The well-known French and International kindergarten expands in Hong Kong By Charmaine Ng

Since 2006, Les Petits Lascars French International Kindergarten and Preschool has provided French, bilingual and trilingual education for children from nine months to six years old in Hong Kong. At the request of French parents in the city, the school was founded by qualified and decorated teachers Christian and Dominique Chasset, who also run the Hong Kong Institute of Languages and the Hong Kong Kids Academy. Today, Les Petits Lascars has grown to three locations across Hong Kong in Central, Southside and a newly opened campus in Tseung Kwan O.

Qualified education team

Supported by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, the school is currently undergoing accreditation with the National Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE). The education team at Les Petits Lascars is led by a certified Principal of the French International Education System (AEFE) and is composed of qualified and experienced teachers and supervisory staff.

Parents can choose between three streams for their children: French, where classes are completely taught in French; bilingual, where classes are run half in French and half in English and trilingual, where Mandarin can be taught as an optional class.

Following the French National curriculum

Les Petits Lascars believes in a caring environment centred around the well-being of the children. It takes on an educational approach that adapts to a child’s learning

pattern, uniqueness and individual learning needs. Currently, it offers five programmes, namely Éveil (Playgroup), Toute Petite Section (Nursery), Maternelle (K1 to K3), FLAM (Language Support) and a selection of Holiday Camps. Parents can enquire with the school anytime to see which course is best suited for their children.

Éveil (Playgroup)

Optional for children nine to 24 months old, Éveil classes aim to help with social, emotional, cognitive and coordination development. The school also offers Baby Gym classes for children to explore their motor skills and gradually learn to control their movements.

Toute Petite Section (Nursery)

Les Petits Lascars follows the French National Education programme. In TPS, rituals are introduced to children of two to three years old. Days are split into five protocols – circle time (welcome), snack time, motor skills and recreation- for the development of socialisation.

Maternelle (K1 to K3)

After TPS, children graduate to Maternelle, compulsory from the age of three in the French system. The programme is designed to develop the enjoyment and reward of learning. By playing, thinking and solving problems, children are able to build the first essential steps towards successful learning.

FLAM (Language Support)

Suitable for three to 12-year-olds, FLAM courses (French mother tongue support) are aimed at French-speaking children educated in local or international schools. This is an extracurricular programme organised in small groups that take place one to three times a week. Les Petits Lascars is the only institute that offers a FLAM program recognised by the

AEFE in Hong Kong.

Learning in an inspired campus

Les Petits Lascars has three campuses across Hong Kong. Its Southside location is just minutes away from MTR Wong Chuk Hang Station, Tseung Kwan O location is adjacent to Lycée Français; while its Central location is in the heart of the business district, two minutes from the MTR station. All three sites have ample outdoor space for children to run and play.

Whether it is the new campus at Tseung Kwan O or the locations at Central and Southside, the school makes sure to dedicate specific facilities for each age group. For example, children in Éveil classes can access their own play area and mothers have access to a dedicated feeding and changing room. All classrooms are bright and colourful, equipped with interactive whiteboards and furnished with high-end fittings – all brand new and designed to help little children learn.

Most importantly, each of the campuses has access to abundant outdoor space. The Southside and Central locations are steps away from public outdoor areas and Tseung Kwan O has its own private outdoor playground.

Path after graduation

An indispensable player in the continuity of French education in Hong Kong, Les Petits Lascars offers an easy pathway to the French International School after graduation. Parents have noted that after an education at Les Petits Lascars, children are better prepared and are able to integrate easier into the next

step of their schooling.