Independent schools are all about choice in education. Most parents who choose this route wait until their children go into Year 7 to make the move from the Government to the independent sector.

It's cheaper to wait until then, for a start. Many also believe that the formative years - in terms of reinforcing value systems and personal development - are those spent in secondary school. But according to the principal of a dedicated independent primary school, the choice of primary education is just as important as the choice of secondary school.

Lesley May, principal of Claremont College in Randwick (which caters for Kindergarten to Year 6), says: "Children need a quality primary education because that is where all the foundations are laid. And if you don't get it right at primary level, it is very difficult from there on."

The former government school teacher, who switched to the independent sector 11 years ago, says she is not anti-State school but believes that the government sector struggles to deliver in the face of a continuing lack of funds.

"It is important that children get a very good grounding in all their basic skills and also that they get the opportunities in their music and art and other subjects which are part of a good primary education as well."

There is also more scope for an independent school, with hand-picked teachers, to provide early support for children experiencing learning difficulties before they become a problem.

In addition to the academic considerations, May says many parents enrolling their children at Claremont and other independent schools are looking for a clearly articulated and implemented value system and an effective discipline policy.

For many parents, it is difficult to identify what values are being taught in government schools, whereas independent schools are freer to pursue and focus on specific, well-articulated values.

"We don't expect our children to necessarily be the best but we hope to imbue them with the idea that putting in extra effort is worthwhile at school and in their lives generally."

Despite the fact that the values taught at Claremont are based on Anglican beliefs, the majority of the students come from non-Anglican and even non-Christian backgrounds.

"Our policy for enrolling children is an open one," says May, "but the parents have to understand that it is Christian attitudes and values that we are teaching here."

The college already has more than 90 applications for 50 kindergarten places in 2002. May says there is generally a "long waiting list going into kindergarten".

Keen on good schooling

Gillian and Greg Kean have four children, all of whom have attended an independent primary school since kindergarten. It will cost the Keans in the vicinity of $50,000 just for their children's primary education.

So why did they opt for Toongabbie Baptist Christian Community School? Staunch Christians themselves, the Keans belong to the Smithfield Baptist Church. Naturally, Gillian Kean says, they wanted a complementary education for the children.

"Being Christian, we want them to be taught about God and to know the truth and our aim is that they will also grow up to know the Lord Jesus Christ and know that he is their saviour."

She says the children were imbued with the same values at school as were taught at home. "If we sent them to a State school, they may come up against things we may not necessarily agree with."

She and her husband planned to send the children to Christian secondary schools and by enrolling them in the primary school at Toongabbie Baptist Christian Community School, they were establishing a continuity of Christian teaching.

The youngest, Grace, 5, started in kindergarten this year. Jonathan, 7, is in Year 2. Christie, 12, is in Year 7 and the eldest, Joshua, 15, is in Year 10.

By the time all four have completed their secondary schooling, the Keans will have paid out at least $60,000 in secondary school fees, bringing their total school bill to more than $100,000.

"I think it's worth it," Gillian Kean says. "We are very happy with the school. When Christie started she was so shy she wouldn't say anything in class. Last year she was vice-captain of the primary school and was able to stand up and do all the public speaking associated with that role. Part of her development has come from the programs the school runs for its students."