Kindergartens
2.8
3.
CONFIDENTIAL
A few comments received on the Green Paper advocated the
continuation of baby classes in kindergartens. The Government is prepared
to permit the operation of such classes for three year-olds provided the
classes are registered as child care centres under the Child Care Centres
Ordinance, and conform to its standards. Such centres will be strongly
encouraged to adopt an informal approach.
2.9
In order to provide for these changes, the Government intends
to amend the Education Ordinance:
2.10
2.11
(a) to provide for the admission of children to
kindergarters but restricting admission to
children aged 3 years 8 months and above, and also
(b) to define kindergarten education as being a one-to
two year course of education suitable for children
between the ages of 3 years 8 months and the time of
entry to primary school.
It will be necessary to initiate a gradual phasing in of the
minimum age of entry to guard against the sudden increase in the demand
for child care centre places. It is therefore intended that the restriction
of admission to kindergartens to children aged 3 years 8 months and above
should be implemented over a three-year period starting in September 1982.
The Government intends to control standards, particularly of space
and of teaching staff. In future an area of 1.2m2 must be provided for each
child, with double that space, 2.4m2, for the teacher.
to restrict to 30 the number of children who may be supervised by one teacher.
In order to minimise any inconvenience and to allow kindergarten operators
time to adjust to the proposed arrangements, it is intended to phase in these
new standards over a period of four years commencing September 1982. There is
It is also intended
no objection to allowing classes with their teachers to join together for activities
provided that the basic classroom space and supervision standards are met.
CONFIDENTIAL