Programme Objectives
This programme is dedicated to promoting practical knowledge of inclusive education and is based on the firm belief that every child has the potential to learn and deserves equal learning opportunities. Therefore, in addition to emphasising practical experience for students in kindergartens, we also arrange for teachers and students to work together in kindergartens that serve children with diverse needs. Together, they design and lead inclusive activities, which allows students to deepen their understanding of inclusive education through practice, thus achieving a balance between theory and practice.
Our goal is to cultivate early childhood educators who possess professional competence, a spirit of inclusion and innovative thinking. This will enable them to use appropriate teaching strategies in diverse learning environments to support children with different learning needs.
The programme emphasises respect for individual differences. Through a learning model that values both theory and practice, students will master the core concepts of inclusive education, strategies for supporting Special Educational Needs (SEN), and the design of diverse learning activities. Furthermore, the programme focuses on cultivating students' analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as enhancing their collaboration with parents and interdisciplinary teams. We are committed to cultivating early childhood education professionals with a forward-thinking vision and practical skills, promoting an equal and diverse inclusive learning environment, and creating appropriate growth and learning opportunities for every child.
Programme Contents
This programme enables students to acquire a solid foundation of professional knowledge and perspectives in early childhood education. It equips students with analytical and practical skills to work effectively with young children and their families in an inclusive manner and fosters both personal and professional growth to help students embrace the professional values and dispositions that an early childhood educator should possess.
Programme Features
Full Professional Recognition
- Graduates will be eligible for registration as Qualified Kindergarten Teacher (QKT) with the Education Bureau, as well as Child Care Worker (CCW) and Child Care Supervisor (CCS) with the Social Welfare Department (SWD). Graduates will also be recognised as having acquired training equivalent to the One-year In-service Course in Special Child Care Workers (SCCW) of the SWD.
Focus on Inclusive Education
- The programme is not only a general Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) but also incorporates elements covering the values of inclusive education, which include respect for diverse needs and the importance of early intervention for children with early signs of special educational needs. This equips students with general knowledge of special child care education, enabling them to provide sufficient care to young children in early childhood settings and register as Special Child Care Workers (SCCW).
- Riding on the tide of change towards a culturally responsive work environment, the programme equips students with general knowledge of different programme and service models to help Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) children in the learning of Chinese and local culture.
STEM Curriculum
- The programme also includes the "Featured STEM Curriculum for Kindergarten" developed by a professional early childhood education scholar, Dr. Ng Po Chu.
- The curriculum includes three elements: “Exploration Learning”, “Free Construction” and “Science Experiments”. It emphasises children’s development by establishing a STEM Kindergarten Curriculum that is appropriate in terms of age, quantity and level (Ng Po Chu, 2021).
- The curriculum is also supported by a series of learning activity books for children to use, allowing them to learn systematically and enhance their learning effectiveness.
- Students can further master the concepts of exploration, problem-solving, and engineering activities emphasised by STEM to integrate these into the kindergarten curriculum.
Comprehensive Practicum
- The 1st teacher-student collaboration practising "Inclusive Activities" @kindergarten-cum-child care centres. This exclusive course in Hong Kong involves teachers leading students to conduct inclusive education activities in kindergarten-cum-child care centres.
- Through practicums in kindergarten-cum-child care centres with the Integrated Programme, student teachers will be able to integrate their skills to serve mainstream children, children with early signs of special educational needs, and NCS children alike in an inclusive manner.
Versatility in Hands-on Skills
- The curriculum has been enriched with practical skills that are essential for ECE graduates. For example, students will learn about event management to organise and manage events such as graduation ceremonies. Enrichment activities such as professional talks, workshops, visits, and exchange trips are organised for students to equip them to become professional early childhood educators. Furthermore, an elective cluster covering skills relating to health and fitness, as well as nutrition, is available for interested students to acquire relevant certificates. This may help increase their employability and allow them to serve better in the ECE field.
- Students can also attend exclusive training courses provided by the Save The Children Fund and the Scout Association of Hong Kong, receiving a training certificate upon completion.
Empower Your Future with Diverse Certifications
- Students are offered opportunities to participate in various uniformed group training programmes, as well as a Child Safeguarding course co-organised with Save the Children. These experiences equip students with enhanced competencies and facilitate the recognition of additional professional qualifications.
Strategic use of medium of instruction
- This programme is one of a few Higher Diploma Programmes in Early Childhood Education using Chinese to assess student performance in Hong Kong. Most of the subjects are delivered in Chinese and the assessment of assignments is also mainly in Chinese in order to encourage students to discuss on academic topics proactively.
Ann Chiang’s Scholarship
- The HKCT Institute of Higher Education provides the "Ann Chiang Scholarship" to students with remarkable personal character and respectable past personal experience. Each successful applicant will be granted a half-exemption from the tuition fee for the entire study duration of the programme. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Featured Modules
Specialised Subjects
Child Development
- Child Development – Infants and Toddlers Development
- Child Development – Preschoolers Development
Early Childhood Education / Curriculum: Planning
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- Introduction to Psychology
- Learning and Teaching for Cognitive and Language Development
- Early Childhood Play Context and Creativity through Art and Music
- Health, Safety and Physical Fitness for the Young Child
- Early Mathematics, Science and Technology for the Early Childhood
- Administration and Event Management in Early Childhood Organisation
- Principles and Practice for Planning Early Childhood Programmes
- Early Childhood Curriculum: Planning and Implementation
- Family and School Collaboration
Special Education / Inclusive Education
- Understanding Diversity Among Children
- Introduction to Teaching Strategies for Children with Special Needs
- Early Childhood Inclusive Education
- Curriculum Planning for Inclusive Education
- Individualised Education Programme (IEP)
Practicum
- Practicum I: Fieldwork Practice - Induction to Basic Preschool Teaching Skills
- Practicum II: Fieldwork Practice- Planning and Implementing Early Childhood Learning Activities
Elective Subjects
- Nutrition and Health
- Health and Fitness
General Education Subjects
- Ethics and Professional Development
- Academic English
- Chinese Communication
- Putonghua Communication
- Information Management Technologies
Remarks:
Offer of the subjects (including electives) is subject to the Institute's final decision without prior notice.
