Programme Aims

This programme assists qualified early childhood educators to become highly competent, innovative and ethical professionals who are able to contribute to the development of quality programmes for young children and their families in Hong Kong.

The teaching methods of this programme aim to encourage students to challenge and extend their understanding of early childhood education in general, and their own practice in particular. Approaches to teaching are generally interactive and non-didactic. Students will be encouraged to reflect and build on their practical experience through participation in workshops, seminars and tutorials in a stimulating teaching and learning environment.

Programme Features

1. Recognised by the Education Bureau (EDB) as fulfilling one of the requirements for registrations a kindergarten principal.*
2. Recognised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) as having acquired training equivalent to One-year In-service Course in Special Child Care Workers (SCCW)**
3. Designed and operated by EdUHK’s Department of Early Childhood Education. The ECE Department has trained more than 80% of local kindergarten teachers and is one of the largest early childhood education departments in Asia and the world. The department has a prolific scholarly output and quality teaching teams in early childhood education.
4. A rich selection of specialisation streams offering an extensive choice of  elective courses, allowing students to develop expertise tailor-made for diversified professional pathways in early childhood settings.
5. Multiple campus locations and blended learning mode to cater for in-service teachers’ learning needs.

* As required by the Education Bureau (EDB), all new kindergarten principals from the 2009/10 school year should possess a degree in early childhood education. Graduates of this Course are recognised by the EDB as meeting one of the requirements for registration as kindergarten principals in Hong Kong. Registration on professional qualifications as a kindergarten principal is subject to individuals’ relevant work experience and further principalship training, and is subject to EDB’s final approval.

**Graduates of this programme who have been teaching in special child care service units and have completed the required courses in Diverse Needs will be considered as having acquired training on the One-year In-service Course in Special Child Care Work recognized by the Social Welfare Department. Students may be required to provide proof of service for taking the courses in Diverse Needs. The University reserves the right to approve students' eligibility.

Education Studies

In this domain, students employ the principles and theories on early childhood education, which develop students’ global awareness of early childhood care and education of the current trends on child studies and development.

The ES courses are:

• Current Curriculum Issues in Early Childhood Education
• Comparative Early Childhood Education
• Current Trends in Child Development and Assessment
• Theoretical Perspectives on Early Childhood Practice

Field Experience

The Field Experience that composed of Integrated Field Experience I (2cps) and Integrated Field Experience II (4cps) aims to assist students to innovate and reflect on their practice that builds on students' foundation of situated knowledge and field experience. It helps students critically reflect on their practice and enrich their theoretical knowledge of early childhood practice. Students are expected to develop and implement theory-based teaching ^{Note 3} in an early childhood education setting in Hong Kong ^{Note 4} for enhancing teaching and learning.

Note 3: Students specializing in Diverse Needs area are required to develop their Field Experience study in Diverse Needs.
Note 4: According to EDB requirement, supervisory visits will be arranged in students’ serving school with children aged 3-6 years old.

Final Year Project

• Honours Project I / Capstone Project I: Introduction of research methods and proposal in Semester 2 of Year 2; and
• Honours Project II / Capstone Project II: A one-year project to be conducted in the final year. Students can choose their topic from either their Major or Education Studies, and will complete an individual project under the supervision by an academic staff. ^{Note 5}

Note 5: Students specializing in Diverse Needs area are required to develop their Honours Project II /Capstone Project II study in Diverse Needs.

General Education

Students are required to take one 3-cp course selected from a list of General Education (GE) courses which cover a variety of areas, including positive thinking, stress management, healthy living or teachers’ personal and professional interest.

English Enhancement Course

The compulsory 3-cp English Enhancement Course aims to help students acquire linguistics skills in both academic and social contexts. It prepares students to write coherent and organized academic texts by developing essential skills in critical thinking, reading and writing. In addition, the course will enhance student’s ability to make appropriate correspondence in the workplace.

Medium of Instruction

This programme offers a Chinese stream (CMI) and an English stream (EMI). Applicants have to choose which medium of instruction they prefer upon application.

Chinese as the medium of instruction [CMI]

The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese. English or Putonghua is adopted as the language of instruction for relevant courses, as appropriate.

English as the medium of instruction [EMI] ^{Note 6}

The medium of instruction is mainly English.

Note 6: EMI class will be mainly held in Tai Po Campus.

Mode of Study

Students are normally required to attend two to three 3-hour sessions per week during semester. Courses will be held on weekdays from 6:30 pm to 9:20 pm at Tai Po Campus or Tseung Kwan O Study Centre / North Point Study Centre / satellite study centre at urban locations as decided by the University whereas some may be offered on Saturday afternoon in one of the campuses.

Career Prospects / Professional Qualifications

Graduates of the programme will:

• meet the professional qualifications as kindergarten principal ^{Note 7} ;
• be able to work competently in a broad range of positions that involve working with children and families;
• obtain degree-level professional qualifications that are required to develop as middle management in kindergarten (such as vice principal and head teacher in curriculum & administration etc) as recommended by EDB; and
• be eligible to apply for the University's Master of Education Programme.

Note 7: Graduates' individual registration on professional qualifications as kindergarten principal is subject to the approval of the Education Bureau.

Entrance Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants should normally have completed the Certificate / Higher Diploma in Kindergarten Education Programme (CE(KG) / HD(KG)) or Certificate / Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education Programme (CE(ECE) / HD(ECE)) or equivalent, such as Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education. Eligible applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Early Admission

Early admission offers will be given to highly qualified applicants. These applicants will be informed of the admission result individually by email. Applicants who are not offered early admission shall not assume that they are not being considered for admission. Please check your personal email and your online application account regularly for the progress of your application.

Admission Enquiries

(852) 2948 6886
admission@eduhk.hk

Programme Enquiries

(852) 2948 7131
ptbedece@eduhk.hk

Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in this website is correct. Changes to any aspects of the programmes may be made from time to time due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and the University reserves the right to make amendments to any information contained in this website without prior notice. The University accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from any use or misuse of or reliance on any information contained in this website.

Any aspect of the course and course offerings (including, without limitation, the content of the course and the manner in which the course is taught) may be subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the University. Without limiting the right of the University to amend the course and its course offerings, it is envisaged that changes may be required due to factors such as staffing, enrolment levels, logistical arrangements, curriculum changes, and other factors caused by unforeseeable circumstances. Tuition fees, once paid, are non-refundable.

EdUHK is one of the teacher education providers in Hong Kong. Graduates of the University’s teacher education programmes are eligible to apply to become fully qualified and registered teachers. As regards teacher registration, graduates should approach the Teacher Registration Team of the Education Bureau (EDB) to submit applications directly. All applications will be assessed by the EDB which will consider, among other things, whether an applicant has been convicted of any criminal offence (including sex-related offences) in Hong Kong or elsewhere, or is involved in any ongoing criminal proceedings or investigations. For details, please browse the EDB’s website.

In the event of inconsistency between information in English and Chinese version or where an interpretation of the programme content is required, the decision of the University shall be final.