Kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres (hereafter collectively referred to as “KG”) which are registered with the Education Bureau, provide services for children from three to six years old. At present, the majority of kindergartens run on a half-day basis and provide lower and upper kindergartens, as well as nursery school classes. Some kindergartens also offer full-day classes, too. The goal of kindergarten education at Hong Kong is to nurture children to achieve all-round development in the areas of ethics, intelligence physical, aesthetics, and social skills as well as to cultivate healthy habits to prepare them for the future; and to encourage children’s enthusiasm to learn and develop their positive attitude towards learning to help create the basis for their learning in the future.
Current Situation
Every kindergarten in Hong Kong are privately run and are classified into non-profit (NPM) Kindergartens (KGs) or private independently (PI) kindergartens based on the sponsoring organizations that are either voluntary organisations or private businesses. Kindergartens are all accredited in accordance with the Educational Ordinance. The inspectors of the Education Bureau visit kindergartens regularly to provide counsel to teachers and principals on the curriculum, teaching techniques and the school’s administration. This Operation Manual (January 2023 Version 3) for pre-primary Schools (January 2023, Version 3) produced in collaboration with the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department and Social Welfare Department, will provide potential school administrators with the essential information about the the legal requirements and suggestions regarding the management of kindergartens.
Kindergartens differ in their size as well as the amount of rooms that vary from two to more than 10. They can however create an engaging learning environment that accommodates the interests of children and their lives by establishing different activities centres. For example, there could be a Reading Corner, Mathematics Corner, Nature Corner, Art and Crafts Corner, Music Corner, Home Corner etc. These centers are equipped with teaching aids to help students learn by themselves.
Every child in Hong Kong, irrespective of their nationality, are eligible for assistance with fees under the Child Care and Hong Kong kindergarten Fee Remission Scheme, as long as they are less than six years old, are enrolled in child care or kindergartens centers and meet the other conditions stipulated within the program. The details can be found on the official website for the Student Finance Office (SFO) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistant Agency.
Curriculum
In light of the shifts in society and the demands of children In light of the changing society and the needs of children, The Curriculum Development Council (CDC) reviewed”Guidelines to Preschool Curriculum, “Guide for the Pre-primary Curriculum” (2006) and recommended the key elements to enhance the curriculum for kindergarten.
“Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide” (2017) retains the premise of”Guide to the Pre-primary Curriculum” (2006) “Guide to Pre-primary Education” (2006) The guide it adopts “child-centredness” to be our primary value, and adheres to the fundamental concept in “Understanding while respecting and recognizing the distinct development patterns of each child.”
The Kindergarten Education curriculum focuses on five objectives for development, including “Moral Development”, “Cognitive and Language Development”, “Physical Development”, “Affective and Social Development” and “Aesthetic Development”, with an aim of achieving development of the five domains of ethical as well as physique, intellect social skills, and aesthetics. The five goals of development will be accomplished by focusing on six areas of learning, including “Physical fitness and Health”, “Language”, “Early Childhood Mathematics”, “Nature and Living”, “Self and Society” and “Arts and Creativity” The curriculum includes “Values as well as Attitudes”, “Skills” and “Knowledge” and ensures the development of a holistic and balanced in children using methods such as “Real-life themes”, “Integrated Approach” and “Learning through Play”.
Qualifications of Teachers and Statutory Requirements
The minimum academic requirement required for teachers in kindergarten is 5 passes comprising the two languages, Chinese and English for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) (HKCEE) or Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination at no more than two examinations.
Since September 2003 the new kindergarten teachers must have a Qualified Kindergarten Teacher (QKT) certificate or equivalent. Please refer to EDBC No. 28/2003 for details.
Beginning in 2003/04 All kindergartens must meet the ratio of teacher to pupil at 1:15 or less.
In the course of implementing the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) starting in the 2007/08 school term, direct cost subsidy for parents and in addition, financial assistance to teachers’ professional development are being provided to teachers.
All principals who are new to the 2009/10 school year must possess an academic diploma of ECE [BEd(ECE)or a one-year post-qualification and have completed an approved certificate course on the principalship prior to or ideally within the first year of their appointment.
Beginning with the school year 2012/13 kindergartens that are part of the supervision of PEVS must employ a the required number of teachers with C(ECE) Certificate in Early Childhood Education [C(ECE)qualification that are based on the teacher-to ratio of 1:15.
A Comprehensive Program for children with mild disabilities
Some kindergarten-cum-child care centres have joined the “Integrated Programme” to provide intensive training and care to mildly disabled children aged 3-6. Through the programme children will be equipped for general education of the future. For more details, go to the website that is maintained by the Social Welfare Department.
Primary One Access System
Every child in Hong Kong who have reached the age of eight months or more (as as of the 1st of September) can participate within the Primary One Admission System, even if they haven’t been admitted into one of Hong Kong’s primary school as of yet. Children will be assigned to the primary one of a state-run or aid-funded primary school. The aim of the system is to lessen the pressure placed on children as a due to the fierce competition for primary spots and the detrimental effect it can affect kindergarten education. Parents must complete an application form, and then indicate their preference for schools in order they prefer. In the Education Bureau would input the information into the computer, and primary one spot will be allocated to each child according to the preferences stated on the application. Every child who joins the system will be given admission to the primary school in a state-run or assisted primary school.
Steps forward
In order to encourage kindergartens to keep themselves appraised on a regular basis and to encourage self-evaluation, the Education Bureau has implemented the upgraded Quality Assurance Framework beginning with this year’s school term. The public and kindergartens can use the performance indicators (Kindergartens) for evaluating the standard and quality of the kindergartens. The new round of Quality Review has started in the same school year in order to enhance the quality of a high-quality kindergarten education in Hong Kong.
