Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Inclusive Education)

Programme Contents

This part-time programme is dedicated to promoting practical knowledge of inclusive education, firmly believing 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 simultaneously work in kindergartens that accept children with diverse needs. Together, they design and lead inclusive activities, allowing students to deepen their understanding of inclusive education through practice, thus achieving a balance between theory and practice.

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 with 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, which equip students to have general knowledge towards special child care education in order to provide sufficient care to young children in early childhood setting and registered as SCCW.
• Riding on the tide of change for a culturally responsive work environment, the Programme equips students with general knowledge towards 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 Experiment”. It emphasises children’s development and through appropriate age, appropriate quantity and appropriate level to establish a set of STEM Kindergarten Curriculum (Ng Po Chu, 2021).
• The curriculum is also equipped with a series of learning activity books for children to use, allowing children to learn systematically and strengthen learning effectiveness.
• Students can further master the concepts of exploration, problem-solving, and engineering activities emphasised by STEM to integrate the kindergarten curriculum.

Comprehensive Practicum

• The 1st teacher-student collaboration practicing "Inclusive Activities" @Kindergarten-cum-child care centres. The exclusive course in Hong Kong is where teachers lead students to conduct inclusive education activities in Kindergarten-cum-child care centres.
• Through practicums in kindergarten-cum-child care centres with Integrated Programme, student teachers will be allowed to integrate their skills to serve mainstream children, children with early signs of special educational needs and NCS children as well in an inclusive manner.

Versatility in Hands-on Skills

• The curriculum has been enriched with hands-on skills which are mostly required of ECE graduates. For example, students will learn about event management to organise and manage events such as graduation ceremony. Enrichment activities such as professional talks, workshops, visits and exchange trip are organized for students to equip them to be professional early childhood educators. Also, an elective cluster covering skills relating to health and fitness as well as food nutrition is in place for interested students to acquire relevant certificates which may help increase students' employability and allow them to serve better in the ECE field.
• Exclusive training courses provided by the Save The Children Fund and the Scout Association of Hong Kong with a completed training certificate.

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 recognition of additional professional qualifications.

Strategic use of medium of instruction

• This programme is one of a few Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education using Chinese to assess student performance in Hong Kong. Most of the subjects are delivered in Chinese, the assessment of assignments is also mainly in Chinese in order to encourage students to discuss on academic topics proactively.

Programme Structure

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.