Planning ahead

Dolphin Coast is a spectacular place to live and raise a family.
For some this is only dampened by a lack of affordable primary and high schooling options in the area.
While some parents are able to afford more expensive private school tuition, those who are not are often left jostling for limited space in local primary and high schools or forced to send their children to school in Durban.
The Courier recently highlighted the lack of space in local schools (‘Desperate local schooling situation’, Courier, January 24).
A trend many parents spoke about is placing infants on waiting lists at local schools, with some pregnant mothers registering their unborn children to guarantee them a spot six years before they start school.
Well-known photographer Taryn van Rensburg has gone the early registration route with her three sons and intends to register her unborn baby at Umhlali Preparatory.
“My son Luke was 18 months old when I put his name on the waiting list, just after we moved to the area. I did the same with Josh when he was four, and I was five months pregnant with Jude when he was registered. I am certainly going to register our fourth child.”
Taryn recalls her first early registration for an unnamed ‘Baby van Rensburg’, who was second on the list at the time.
“With the current schooling situation in the area I think pre-registration is a practical, wise thing to do. You are guaranteeing your child a spot in a reputable school where he or she will get quality education.”
She acknowledged some parents might think it odd to register a child who has not been born yet but she says she knows of numerous others who have done the same.
“The local schools fill up quickly and I could not afford to risk my sons not receiving proper education. It also gives a parent peace of mind, knowing we do not have to travel to Durban for our children to attend good schools.”
Sheffield resident Clare Houston’s son Sam was on a waiting list for three years. Houston was delighted when she was informed he had gained admission to grade one last year.
In 2011 Houston put daughter Elizabeth’s name on the list when she was just two weeks old, for admission into grade one in 2018.
“Some schools do not have waiting lists and parents are forced to camp out on a pavement when admissions open. I think early registration is key because you know, as a parent, that you have secured your child’s future well ahead of time,” said Houston.