Non-local Student Admissions

Childcare, Elderly and Community Services

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code CE114301

Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education

Programme Edges

Professional Recognition

Graduates recognised by Education Bureau and Social Welfare Department.

Promising Career Prospects

Monthly average salary of graudates from this programme is HK$25,060.

Professional Practicum

Facilitate students to become professional early childhood educators through placement.

Professional Recognition

Graduates recognised by Education Bureau and Social Welfare Department.

Promising Career Prospects

Monthly average salary of graudates from this programme is HK$25,060.

Professional Practicum

Facilitate students to become professional early childhood educators through placement.

Basic Information

The programme aims to equip students with the professional knowledge, transferable skills and attitude for the future career in the field of early childhood education. Fieldwork placement opportunities are provided for the comprehensive learning of students to become professional early childhood educators.

The programme is also designed with an emphasis on generic and language training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment.

Mode of Study Full-time

Duration of Study 2 Years

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

IVE (Sha Tin)

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration as Kindergarten Teachers with the Education Bureau of the HKSAR. They are also eligible for registration as Child Care Workers, Child Care Supervisors and Special Child Care Workers with the Social Welfare Department of the HKSAR.

Remarks

The programme information is applicable to local applicants. For non-local applicants, please visit here.
Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme title, content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.

Entrance Requirements

HKDSE

Chinese Language 2

English Language 2

Core/Elective Subject 2

VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies; OR
Diploma Yi Jin / Diploma of Applied Education; OR
Equivalent

Remarks

Applicants can use HKDSE Applied Learning (ApL) subjects (except ApL Chinese) for admission purpose. An "Attained", "Attained with Distinction (I)" and "Attained with Distinction (II)" in an ApL subject (Category B subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2", "Level 3" and "Level 4" respectively for admission purpose.
For 2024 HKDSE and before, a "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" and "Level 3" respectively; From 2025 HKDSE onwards, Language Proficiency Level A2 or above in French / German / Spanish, N3 or above in Japanese and TOPIK II: Grade 3 or above in Korean are also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. Recognition of Urdu Language subject in 2026 HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) will be announced later. For details, please click here. One Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
An "Attained" in HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" for admission purpose.
If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the general entrance requirement would become "Attained" for Citizenship and Social Development and Level 2 or above in four other HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language and English Language. Besides, Level 2 or above in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. If applicants have taken both Module 1 and Module 2, either one of the modules (with a higher level) will be counted for admission purpose.
This programme is NOT applicable to VTC Diploma in Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate graduates.

Articulation / Employment

Articulation

Graduates may apply for admission to full-time / part-time Bachelor Degree programmes at various local and overseas universities, e.g.:

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (Registration No.: 253201)^#
BEd (Hons) (Early Childhood Education), the Education University of Hong Kong
BEd (Hons) (Early Childhood Education) in Leadership and Non-Chinese Speaking Children, the Education University of Hong Kong
BA (Hons) in Special Education, the Education University of Hong Kong
BA (Early Childhood Education), the Chinese University of Hong Kong
BEd (Hons) in Early Childhood Education, School of Continuing Education, the Hong Kong Baptist University
BEd (Hons) in Early Childhood Education (Leadership and Special Educational Needs), the Hong Kong Metropolitan University
BSc in Applied Child Development, the University of Hong Kong
BHE (Hons), the Education University of Hong Kong

^# This 1-year full-time / 1.5-year part-time programme is offered in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) of VTC. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as kindergarten teachers, child care workers, child care supervisors and special child care workers.

Curriculum

Child Development
Contemporary Development in Early Childhood Education
Play in Education
Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
Professional Practice in Early Childhood Settings I
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness

Fieldwork Placement
Applied Child Psychology
Play in Education
Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
Observational and Assessment in Child Study
Children with Diverse Needs
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Practical Skills in Supporting Children with Diverse Needs
Observational and Assessment in Child Study
Health and Care for Infants and Children
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
IT Essentials - Services
Enrichment Module A

Family Engagement in Contemporary Society: Early Childhood Perspectives
Learning and Care Skills for Infants and Children
Theory and Practice in Teaching Approaches
Research Studies in Early Childhood Education
Professional Practice in Early Childhood Setting II
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace
Enrichment Module B

Electives (Sem 4 & 5) (Choose one of the following):

Supporting Literacy in Play-Based Curriculum
Integrated Arts and Play Education
Free Play in Practice
Working with Children with Diverse Needs
Nature Play in Practice
Infant and Toddler Curriculum in Practice
Supporting Non-Chinese-Speaking Children and Their Families
Inquiry Learning and Scientific Exploration in Early Childhood Education
IT Application in Early Childhood Education
AI Technology in Supporting Care for 0-3 Years old and Training SEN Children
Child-Centred Play Interventions
Applying Brain Science in Teaching and Interventions
Practical Application of Assessment Tools for Children with Special Education Needs

Advanced Placement
Educational Leadership and Management for the Services of Early Childhood Settings
Research Studies in Early Childhood Education
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the AY2025/26 is listed below for reference. The tuition fees for AY2026/27 will be announced at a later stage.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

Remarks

The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to pay other fees, such as caution money and students’ union annual fees. Students of Higher Diploma programmes will be required to pay the study package fees for Chinese & Putonghua modules.
Some students may be required to study bridging modules or enhancement programmes to support their study; or to attend additional training, industrial attachments, public examinations for which separate fees will be charged.
Tuition fees are subject to annual review. The tuition fee levels for 2nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.