How Parents Can Support School Admission Interviews

Most reputable schools conduct a parent-child interaction during admission. It is not a test in the traditional sense — it is a chance for the school to see whether the child and the family are a good fit. Here is how to prepare without turning your child into a memorised performer.

What schools are actually looking for

• Pre-KG/LKG — basic social skills, comfort separating from parents, age-appropriate motor and language development.
• Class 1 onwards — readiness in literacy and numeracy, ability to follow instructions, curiosity, manners.
• Older grades — academic level, learning style, attitude to school, hobbies.
• All grades — parents' attitude, expectations and willingness to partner with the school.

How to prepare your child

1. Talk about the visit in advance — calmly. Tell them they will meet a teacher and play or chat.
2. Practise polite greetings — 'Good morning, my name is...' is enough.
3. Don't drill answers. A coached child sounds rehearsed and unnatural. Schools spot this instantly.
4. Sleep well the night before. Eat a real breakfast.
5. Dress comfortably. New shoes are a bad idea.

How to prepare yourself

• Read the school's website carefully — curriculum, philosophy, values.
• Have a clear answer to 'why this school?' beyond 'good reputation'.
• Be honest about your child — strengths and current challenges.
• Have one or two questions of your own. Engaged parents ask, not just answer.

Common questions and how to answer them

• 'Tell us about your child.' Two strengths, one growth area, one anecdote. Not a CV.
• 'What are your expectations from us?' Be specific. 'Strong foundation, good communication, my child happy to come every day.'
• 'How do you support learning at home?' Honest answer. Reading time, daily talk, screen limits.
• 'How do you handle discipline?' Boundaries with warmth. Avoid extreme answers.

What to do after the interview

Thank the school. Send a short email if appropriate. Don't follow up daily — schools have a process. Most decisions are shared within 7 to 15 working days.

How Yajur's interactions work

Yajur Public School holds short, age-appropriate interactions for each admission. For Pre-KG and LKG, the child plays in a classroom while a teacher observes. For Class 1 and above, a brief literacy and numeracy check is followed by a conversation with the parents. Results are shared within 7 working days.

What the school is also asking of parents

An admission interaction is not only an evaluation of the child. It is also a chance for the school to read the family — its expectations, its rhythms, its willingness to partner with teachers. Parents who arrive with rigid demands, compare schools openly during the visit, or speak over the child often signal a difficult future relationship. Parents who are calm, curious, honest about their child and respectful of teachers signal partnership. Schools weigh this.

If you are switching schools, be honest about why. Saying 'the previous school did not communicate well' is fine. Saying 'the previous school was terrible, look at this list of problems' is a flag. Children pick up tone, and so do interviewers.

A note on shyness

Shy children often under-perform in interviews. Skilled schools account for this — they spend a few extra minutes, play a game, ease the child in. Yajur Public School's Pre-KG and LKG observations are deliberately low-pressure and last 20-30 minutes precisely so that quiet children have time to settle. From Class 1 onwards, our interactions include both written and conversational elements so different temperaments can show their strengths.