Early Childhood

Fundamental skills and whole child development.

At YCIS, our early childhood programme is all about immersing our students in a supporting, bilingual learning environment where our teachers work together with parents to develop confident, caring and curious young learners. The focus in these early years is on whole-child development, building the character foundations, personal and social values that will support students for life.

The Yew Chung kindergarten programme was established over eight decades ago in Hong Kong, which is one of the top Hong Kong preschools and initiated many practices. Through worldwide education research, the programmes our highly experienced teaching staff bring today are progressive, up-to-date and very well balanced for our children of the future. We believe every child is unique and should seek their personal journey to grow in the key areas of child development:

Emotional, personal and social
Communication and literacy
Numeracy, problem solving and reasoning
Understanding knowledge of the world
Physical development Creative development

We create stimulating, play-based child-centred learning environments in a bilingual setting, English and Chinese, nurtured by our Co-Teachers. Early embracement of music features in our four year olds' violin programme. Co-Teachers build a portfolio per child to show their individual development path through open exploration.

To support our strong home-school partnership we run interesting workshops for parents, grandparents and care-givers as part of our programme.

Philosophy and Objectives

At YCIS, our bilingually focused, research-based, and holistic approach to education helps our students build a strong foundation and range of skills from an early age. In our ECE programme, it's imperative that our students view themselves as competent learners and know that they are valued. As part of our philosophy, we welcome families' interest in their children's learning journey, and we encourage their active involvement on campus and in our school community.

Co-Teachers

Co-teaching effectively facilitates the bilingual learning environment where both Chinese and English languages are equally valued. ECE Co-Teachers provide an environment where children interact naturally, feel comfortable about their own identity and communication and begin to move easily between cultures.

Co-Principals

As the heads of our school, two Co-Principals, one Western and one Chinese, work together to provide academic leadership and oversee the implementation of the Early Childhood education at their respective campuses. Our Co-Principals' successful cross-cultural collaboration acts as a model for Co-Teachers, students, and the greater YCIS community alike.

Click here to learn more about our Tseung Kwan O campus.

Our Infant & Toddler Learning Programme (ITLP) is specifically designed for children aged six months to two years. Our play-based programme takes the form of a half-day nursery setting, with an accompanying adult from the child's family circle.

The multiple benefits of early childhood stimulation can be shared and enjoyed in our safe, child-centred kindergarten. Young children's communication development and relationship building are highly valued at YCIS, within our bilingual English/Chinese (Cantonese) environment.

Things to Know:
- Choice of morning or afternoon session, starting at 8.45 a.m. or 1:15 p.m.
- Choice of 3 - 5 sessions per week
- Each session is 2.5 hours
- Three highly qualified early years co-teaching staff per class
- Teacher: child ratio is 1:6
- A healthy snack is provided by the School
- Parent Workshops and parent evenings are organised

We believe the home-school partnership is vital for the child's growth and development and this begins with parents joining our mandatory Information Session or equivalent private tour with the Head of Admissions. Please see "Visit our School" for options. Active play is provided through sensory exploration, music and movement, whilst encouraging children to move between our indoor and outdoor environments. Art and "messy play" are regularly enjoyed.

Snapshot of a School Day - Early Childhood

8.15–8.30am

Students arrive
8.15–11.30am

Children engage in learning and development following their interests and teacher provocations, connected to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and YCIS learning approach. There will be a morning snack time and outdoor time each morning. Each class in the 3’s or 4’s will also have specialist classes during this time, on differing days during the week.
11.30 am

Lunch time
12–1.30pm

Four-year-old classes nap
12–2pm

Three-year-old classes nap

Click here to learn more about our Tseung Kwan O campus.

Our Infant & Toddler Learning Programme (ITLP) is specifically designed for children aged six months to two years. Our play-based programme takes the form of a half-day nursery setting, with an accompanying adult from the child's family circle.
The multiple benefits of early childhood stimulation can be shared and enjoyed in our safe, child-centred kindergarten. Young children's communication development and relationship building are highly valued at YCIS, within our bilingual English/Chinese (Cantonese) environment.
Things to Know:

Choice of morning or afternoon session, starting at 8.45 a.m. or 1:15 p.m.

Choice of 3 - 5 sessions per week

Each session is 2.5 hours

Three highly qualified early years co-teaching staff per class

Teacher: child ratio is 1:6

A healthy snack is provided by the School

Parent Workshops and parent evenings are organised
We believe the home-school partnership is vital for the child's growth and development and this begins with parents joining our mandatory Information Session or equivalent private tour with the Head of Admissions. Please see "Visit our School" for options. Active play is provided through sensory exploration, music and movement, whilst encouraging children to move between our indoor and outdoor environments. Art and "messy play" are regularly enjoyed.
Snapshot of a School Day - Early Childhood
8.15–8.30am

Students arrive

8.15–11.30am

Children engage in learning and development following their interests and teacher provocations, connected to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and YCIS learning approach. There will be a morning snack time and outdoor time each morning. Each class in the 3’s or 4’s will also have specialist classes during this time, on differing days during the week.

11.30 am

Lunch time

12–1.30pm

Four-year-old classes nap

12–2pm

Three-year-old classes nap
Click here to learn more about our Tseung Kwan O campus.
Our Two-year-old programme, also known as pre nursery programme, takes young children on their journey of self-discovery in our kindergarten campuses in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. At this age of development, we value the time and space to allow for the building of positive and personal relationships between children and their teachers.
We seek to stimulate their curiosity by ensuring the play-based activities are child-led and meaningful. We believe with growing curiosity comes confidence. The children are immersed in our bilingual English/Chinese (Cantonese) learning environment.
Things to Know:

Choice of half-day or whole day programme

5 sessions per week

Half-day programme is between 8.30 - 11.30 a.m. or 1 - 4 p.m.

Whole day programme is between 8.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Three highly qualified early years co-teaching staff per class

Teacher: child ratio is 1:8

A healthy snack is provided by the School

For whole day sessions, lunch is provided by the School

Parent Workshops and parent evenings are organised
We believe the home-school partnership is vital for the child's growth and development and this begins with parents joining our mandatory Information Session or equivalent private tour with the Head of Admissions. Please see "Visit our School" for options.
Snapshot of a School Day - Early Childhood
8.15–8.30am

Students arrive

8.15–11.30am

Children engage in learning and development following their interests and teacher provocations, connected to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and YCIS learning approach. There will be a morning snack time and outdoor time each morning. Each class in the 3’s or 4’s will also have specialist classes during this time, on differing days during the week.

11.30 am

Lunch time

12–1.30pm

Four-year-old classes nap

12–2pm

Three-year-old classes nap
Click here to learn more about our Tseung Kwan O campus.
YCIS offers international kindergarten programme, also known as nursery programme in Kowloon, Hong Kong. We continually want to encourage child inquisitiveness by ensuring the play-based activities are child-led and consequential. We believe with emergent curiosity comes self-confidence. Our children are absorbed in the YCIS bilingual English/Chinese (Cantonese) learning environment. With our whole day programmes, independence is further explored.
Things to Know:

Whole day programme, from 8.30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

5 sessions per week

Two highly qualified early years co-teaching staff per class

Teacher: child ratio is 1:12

A healthy snack and lunch is provided by the School

The violin programme begins for four year olds

Our Mandarin teacher visits the classes

Transition programme for four year olds moving to our Primary section

Child-led projects steer the children's interests

Well-balanced skills set further enhanced

Parent Workshops and parent evenings are organised
We know the partnership between school and families is vitally important for the child to flourish and develop. We encourage parents to join us at our compulsory ECE Information Session or equivalent private tour with the Head of Admissions. Please see "Visit our School" for dates and communication.
Our classrooms and Co-Teachers allow for an abundance of opportunities daily for children to grow and explore. Children are provided with extended periods of play in order to follow their own interests and curiosities in a safe school setting. The learning environments that our classrooms provide are intentionally prepared to develop knowledge and respond to children's own interests as they enquire about the world in which they live. ECE children at YCIS produce art, music, and dance, and their own constructions, designs, and movements express their individual, creative, and intellectual thoughts.
Snapshot of a School Day - Early Childhood
8.15–8.30am

Students arrive

8.15–11.30am

Children engage in learning and development following their interests and teacher provocations, connected to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and YCIS learning approach. There will be a morning snack time and outdoor time each morning. Each class in the 3’s or 4’s will also have specialist classes during this time, on differing days during the week.

11.30 am

Lunch time

12–1.30pm

Four-year-old classes nap

12–2pm

Three-year-old classes nap
Click here to learn more about our Tseung Kwan O campus.

Early Childhood

Philosophy and Objectives

Co-Teachers

Co-Principals

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Infant and Toddler Learning Programme (ITLP)

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Kindergarten Two's

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Kindergarten Three's and Four's

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong

Early Childhood

Philosophy and Objectives

Co-Teachers

Co-Principals

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Infant and Toddler Learning Programme (ITLP)

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Kindergarten Two's

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

Kindergarten Three's and Four's

Things to Know:

8.15–8.30am

8.15–11.30am

11.30 am

12–1.30pm

12–2pm

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Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong

About YCIS

Academics

Admissions

Campus Life

Our Community

News