Programme Features

• A wide range of teaching methods will be utilised, such as workshops, school visits, field trips, seminars, discussions, where appropriate, in the delivery of the courses.
• The emphasis is on guiding and enticing students to actively participate in the learning process; to understand, critically evaluate and apply what is taught; and to acquire the skills for independent, lifelong learning and development.
• Students have opportunities to participate in arts enhancement programme and academic exchange visit.

Programme Structure

This programme adopts a credit point system. It requires successful completion of 90 credit points of course work and 12 credit points of Field Experience which includes 18 weeks of block practice in early childhood settings, school attachment and educational visits.

This programme comprises the following domains:

1. Education Studies
2. Subject Studies
3. General Education
4. Field Experience

Education Studies

The courses of this domain are designed to assist students to develop the professional knowledge, understanding and attitudes necessary for a competent beginning early childhood teacher. Important aspects such as special educational needs and Information Technology elements are infused throughout the programme. The courses are:

Foundations of Early Childhood Education Strand

• Child Development I: Infants and Toddlers
• Child Development II: Preschoolers
• Child Development III: School Children
• Overview of Young Children with Special Needs
• Development of Early Childhood Educator
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• Parent and Community Relations
• Preschool Educational and Professional Management

Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education Strand

• Children's Health and Care
• Contemporary Early Childhood Teaching Approaches
• Developing a Scientific and Mathematical Mind
• Early Childhood Curriculum: Theory and Practice
• Early Experience in English
• Early Experience in Putonghua
• Enhancing Creativity and Aesthetic Development
• Enhancing Language Development
• Information and Communication Technology in ECE Curriculum
• Information Technology in Education
• Introduction to Curriculum Development
• Introduction to Early Childhood Teaching and Learning
• Promoting Children's Health and Social Well-being

Subject Studies

This domain enhances students' academic background and ensures that students have the appropriate subject knowledge and skills to teach the relevant subject areas in preschool curricula. The courses are:

Chinese I Chinese II

English Putonghua

Two electives from the following:

Art Mathematics Music

Physical Education Science Social Studies

General Education

This domain enhances students' personal development through the following two courses:

• Lifeskills
• Culture & Society

The former focuses on self-improvement skills to meet the needs of a modern society. The latter helps students understand the overall context in which they will work as teachers.

Field Experience

This domain provides an avenue for students to apply theory into practice, with emphasis on the development of critical and analytical thinking. Through block practice, school attachment and educational visits, Field Experience enables students to acquire, refine and demonstrate the skills required of competent beginning teachers.

Medium of Instruction

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

Career Prospects/Professional Qualifications

Graduates of the programme:

• are eligible to register as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Registered Child Care Workers;
• have the professional qualification required of child care supervisors; and
• are eligible to apply for the Institute’s Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education) Programme (Three-year Part-time).

Entrance Requirements

Applicants interested in this programme should apply direct to the Institute. To be eligible for admission, applicants should normally have:

1.	obtained Grade E or above in at least SIX different subjects, including Mathematics, Chinese Language and English LanguageNote 1 at HKCEE level in not more than two sittings, with at least four subjects in one sitting; and
2.	a. scored at least 11 pointsNote 2 for the best six subjects in the HKCEE(s) mentioned in item 1 above; or b. satisfactorily completed S7.

Note 1:	Grade C in English Language (Syllabus A) is regarded as equivalent to Grade E in English Language (Syllabus B). From 2007 onwards, the Institute accepts Level 2 or above for Chinese Language and English Language.
Note 2:	Grades A to E are given the numerical values of 5 to 1 respectively for the purpose of calculating points. For applicants taking the HKCEE from 2007 onwards, Level 5* to 2 in Chinese Language or English Language are given the numerical values of 5 to 1 respectively for the purpose of calculating points.