The Education Bureau (EDB) released today (October 9) the web version of the Profile of Kindergartens and Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres 2017/18 School Year 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 about 740 kindergartens joining the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme in the 2017/18 school year. The Profile also shows the approved school fees of kindergartens for the 2017/18 school year. For kindergartens joining the Scheme, the Profile shows their approved school fees as applicable 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, "Other information in the Profile includes the number and overall professional qualifications of the principal and teaching staff, enrolment, the teacher-to-pupil ratio, curriculum details, reference prices of major school items in trading operation, 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 proportions of major expenses in overall expenditure.

     "All kindergartens joining the Scheme are required to undergo the Quality Review (QR) conducted by EDB officers to ensure the quality of teaching. 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."

     Printed copies of the Profile will be available for parents' reference starting from October 31 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.
      
     The printed Profile will have a separate English version to give parents of non-Chinese speaking children easy access to comprehensive information on kindergartens.
    

Ends/Monday, October 9, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:56

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