Course Administration (ESF Language & Learning Centre)

1.    Course Fee Policy

1.1.  Course fees are payable in advance on a month by month basis.

1.2.  We regret that fees cannot be transferred to another student(s) or to a later date under any circumstances.

1.3.  A student accepted into the programme will continue from term to term, unless we are notified, in writing, one month in advance.

1.4.  ESF Language & Learning Centre reserves the right to adjust the monthly fees in accordance with the rules and regulations set out by the Education Bureau in Hong Kong (EDB).  We will notify parents one month in advance of any fee changes.

1.5.  Fees are charged for a complete month.  There is no pro rata adjustment for incomplete month.

1.6.  We reserve the right to suspend a student from the programme in case of outstanding course fees.

1.7. FOR PLAYGROUP ONLY: Upon first application, ESF Language & Learning Centre will charge a refundable deposit equal to the first month fee, the first month course fee payable one month in advance and a non-refundable application fee.

1.8. A student accepted into the programme will continue from month to month, unless we are notified, in writing, with a full calendar month. Otherwise, the deposit will be retained. Invoice of the tuition fees will be issued 7 days in advance before the new month begins.

1.9. For new students enrolling after the 15^th of the month, a full month’s fee of tuition will be charged. Parents can provide written notice and receive a credit charged towards the following month. 

1.10. Parents can apply in writing for a “holiday break” two weeks before in which fees will be suspended for a minimum of two consecutive weeks and a maximum of two consecutive months in a calendar year.  If the child does not recommence classes after the holiday break, the deposit will be retained.

2.    Refunds

2.1.  Course fee is non-refundable.

2.2.  We regret that we cannot, under any circumstances, give refunds for services & classes already paid for, except in the event of cessation of a course after its commencement.  We will refund to students the course fee on a pro-rata basis within 30 days after the cessation of the course.

2.3.  Refund will only be made by cheque or PayPal.

2.4.  In the event of school closure due to inclement weather, classes will be cancelled and no make-up, refund or credit will be issued. Please see our weather policy for more details regarding weather cancellations. 

3.    Waitlist Policy

3.1.  If a class you have requested for your child to join is full, we will add your child’s name to the waitlist for that class.  At the ESF Language & Learning Centre, successful enrolments to programmes at the ESF Language & Learning Centre are on a first come, first served basis with a full payment.

3.2. When a requested class is full, we waitlist your child upon receipt of the application fee.

4.    Make-up Classes

4.1.  No make-up class is available for classes.

5.    Attendance

5.1.  If your child cannot attend class for medical reasons, please inform the centre administration directly by phone or email before the class time.  A child with an infectious disease or with any symptoms of one, such as cough, runny nose, fever, or rash, should rest at home and not be sent to centre.

6.    Public Holiday & Term Calendar

6.1.  Our centre is closed on all public holidays & dates as specified in the term calendar.

7.    Weather Policy

During times of severe weather (i.e. rainstorms and typhoons), classes may be cancelled.

7.1. In the case of Typhoon 3, all classes at kindergarten venues and ESF Language & Learning Centre are cancelled if the signal is still in place 2 hours before the lesson start time.  If the signal is lowered to Typhoon 1 before this time, the session will proceed as usual. 

7.2. Amber Rain: All classes continue as normal.

7.3. Red Rain, Black Rain, Typhoon 8 and above: Classes are cancelled if any of the signals remain in effect before 12pm for midweek classes, 7am for Saturday morning classes and 11am for Saturday afternoon classes.

7.4. Please refer to our online weather policy for further details.

7.5. Classes may not proceed due to overriding circumstances, including but not limited to unsafe facilities, EDB or other announcements.  In such cases, no refund, credit or make-ups will be provided.

8. Personal Hygiene

8.1. Parents/Caregivers/Children must wear socks at all times within the premises.

8.2. It is at the ESF Educational Services’ sole discretion to refuse parents/caregivers/children to enter the premises who refuse to follow the said policy.

9. Food & Beverages

9.1. Please be aware that we have a NO NUTS policy on the premises.

10. Students' Work

10.1. We reserve the right to dispose of or use any students’ work not collected within one month from the last class attended.

11. Photos & Other Media

11.1. Due to the proprietary nature of our courses, photos and videos may only be taken with the written permission of the ESF Educational Services Ltd.

11.2. After written consent, parents may take photographs, videos, and recordings but only focusing on their own children and not on the other children in the class.  Any media used must not cause a distraction to teachers, other children, or interrupt the class format, and may not be used for commercial or financial gain.

11.3. We reserve the right to use photos, videos and/or sound or any media recordings of children/parents/caregivers and their artwork, performances or classes, for but not limited to the purposes of teacher training, curriculum, and/or promotional/marketing purposes.

12. Change of Information

12.1. Please inform the ESF Educational Services of any changes of personal information.

13. Disclaimer

13.1. All participants enrolled and/or registered in programmes/activities at the ESF Educational Services do so at their own risk.  The ESF Educational Services, including its officers, employees and/or agents, are not responsible for any loss, damage, or injury to participants, their family members, caregivers, and guests as a result of participating in these activities.

13.2. These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without prior written notice from the ESF Educational Services.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to check on the terms & conditions of the ESF Educational Services from time to time.

13.3. We retain the right of final decisions and interpretation in all matters and disputes in relation to this registration.  We shall not be responsible or liable for any claims or liability resulting from any customer’s registration for any classes, events and/or workshops howsoever suffered or incurred.