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Table 1. A brief review of early childhood education development in Hong Kong (1930s to 1970s)

From: Competing Forces: Government Policy, Teacher Education, and School Administration in Hong Kong Early Childhood Education

 

Kindergarten

Child Care Centre

Monitoring

Education Department

Social Welfare Department

Bodies

(or Education & Manpower Bureau)

 

Focus

Education

Care and education

 

look after children aged 3–6

look after children aged 0–6

1930s–1940s

Early form of kindergartens appeared in Hong Kong

 

1950s

In-service training

With the influx of mainland Chinese immigrants, the first childcare centre was established in Hong Kong by YWCA in 1956.

 

Kindergarten Advisory Inspectorate was established and provided 2-year Part-time In-service training for kindergarten teachers.

1960s

 

In-service training

  

Social Welfare Department began Part-time In service training for childcare workers in 1960, and Full-time Pre-service training in 1968.

1970s

Policy

Policy

 

Education Ordinance and Regulations was released in 1971.

Child Care Centres Ordinance was released in 1975 requiring childcare workers to complete the relevant in-service training courses within first year of employment.

  

In-service Training

  

Hong Kong Polytechnics commenced 1 year full-time pre-service training in 1976.