The Education Bureau (EDB) released today (October 9) the web version of the "Profile of Kindergartens and Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres 2018/19 School Year" (the Profile) at www.chsc.hk/kindergarten to provide basic information on all kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres (collectively referred to as "kindergartens"), enhance the transparency of schools and help parents make informed school choices for their children. Mobile applications (iOS and Android versions) are also available for viewing and downloading the Profile.
"The Profile covers information on about 1 030 existing kindergartens in Hong Kong, including the list of kindergartens joining the kindergarten education scheme (Scheme) in the 2018/19 school year and the approved school fees of kindergartens for the 2018/19 school year. For kindergartens joining the Scheme, the Profile will show their approved school fees after the deduction of government subsidies. Parents can also refer to the Fees Certificate of respective kindergartens for details of the approved fees, including school fees and meal charges, if applicable," an EDB spokesman said.
The spokesman added, "To further enrich the content of the Profile and for parents' easy reference, starting from this year, the Profile includes additional columns on "Support to non-Chinese speaking students" and "Support to students with special needs". Besides, additional information specifically on two items – stationary and bedding items for students attending whole-day classes – is included under "Major Paid Items Reference Price". Other information in the Profile includes the number and overall professional qualifications of the principal and teaching staff, enrolment, teacher-to-pupil ratio, curriculum details, reference prices of major school items, the application fee and the registration fee, as well as information on application for admission. All kindergartens joining the Scheme are required to disclose information on the proportion of major expenses in overall expenditure.
"All kindergartens joining the Scheme are required to undergo the Quality Review (QR) for quality assurance. For those kindergartens that have completed the QR process, information on whether they have met the prescribed standards is indicated in the Profile and the latest QR Report can be accessed through the link provided."
A printed English version of the Profile is available to help parents of non-Chinese speaking children access information on kindergartens more easily and comprehensively.
Printed copies of the Profile will be available starting from October 31 for parents' reference at the Regional Education Offices of the EDB, Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department (HAD), Maternal and Child Health Centres of the Department of Health, Integrated Family Service Centres of the Social Welfare Department, public libraries and Support Service Centres for Ethnic Minorities funded by the HAD.
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