Handbook on Quality Review for Kindergartens
Education Bureau 2018 version
(updated in August 2021)
Contents
I. Preface ... 1
II. Objectives of Quality Review ... 3
III. Work Flow of Quality Review ... 4
IV. Summary of Quality Review Procedures ... 7
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I. Preface
The Quality Assurance (QA) Framework was introduced to kindergartens (KGs) in 2000 to emphasise School Self-evaluation (SSE) as the key role in the improvement of schools. SSE is complemented by external school review to support continuous improvement in the quality of KGs through the inter-connected self-evaluation processes, viz. planning, implementation and evaluation.
The Kindergarten Education Scheme (Scheme) is implemented with effect from the 2017/18 school year. All KGs joining the Scheme (Scheme-KGs) are subject to the QA Framework comprising the SSE and Quality Review (QR), both of which are conducted on the basis of the Performance Indicators (PIs). KGs have to conduct SSE and compile a School Report and an Annual School Plan every year. Review teams from the Education Bureau (EDB) will conduct QR to evaluate KGs’ performance and make an overall professional judgment on whether a KG has met the prescribed standards.
It will provide the basis for ascertaining their eligibility for joining the Scheme. EDB also encourages KGs not joining the Scheme to conduct their SSE for continuous improvement. To assure education quality, EDB will from time to time conduct different modes of inspection to monitor service standard provided by all KGs. To strengthen accountability and improve the transparency of management, KGs are strongly encouraged to make their School Reports accessible to their major stakeholders including parents through different means, such as uploading the School Reports onto their school websites.
After years of practice, KGs have demonstrated progressive improvement in conducting SSE. KGs are encouraged to continue to adopt a holistic approach when conducting SSE and utilise their evaluation findings to strategically plan for the next school year. Following the existing practices, KGs are required to use the School Report template to record the self-evaluation findings and formulate the school development plan.
KGs can refer to the updated School Self-evaluation Manual on the EDB website for information. All Scheme-KGs are required to undergo QR and results of QR would be taken into account when considering KGs’ application for joining the Scheme. Both Chinese and English versions of QR reports will be uploaded onto the EDB website and linked to the electronic version of the Profile of Kindergarten and Kindergarten-cum-child Care Centres (hereafter referred to as “KG Profile”) for public information.
To enhance the transparency of the QR mechanism, EDB has involved independent members as external observers in some QR visits since the 2013/14 school year. From the 2018/19 to the 2020/21 school years, a pilot scheme was implemented to invite serving KG principals as external observers to further enhance the transparency of QR. External observers, both independent members and serving KG principals, share their observation with the KGs at the end of the QR visits but do not assess school performance.
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II. Objectives of Quality Review
to validate SSE findings and promote sustainable development in KGs
to provide professional judgment for ascertaining the eligibility of KGs in joining the KG Education Scheme
to provide the public with information on the current development and quality of kindergarten education in Hong Kong
to enhance quality of kindergarten education through dissemination of effective practices among KGs
III. Work Flow of Quality Review
QR is composed of three stages, namely Pre-QR, On-site Review and Post-QR:
Pre-QR
KGs will receive notification of the exact QR dates by phone and mail from the EDB eight weeks in advance. KGs will receive a notification letter of QR and a “Notes to School” (Notes) with general procedures of QR. KG heads are required to circulate the Notes among all teaching staff for information
KGs make reference to the notification letter and submit the following documents via the “Kindergarten Quality Review Information System” (KGQRIS):
Within two weeks upon receipt of notification, submit school calendar and time tables
Within four weeks upon receipt of notification, submit:
School Report, appended with Annual School Plan, for the current school year. The template of School Report (2018 version) can be found at the EDB Website
(http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/preprimary- kindergarten/quality-assurance-framework/sse/School_Report_
Template_2018_EN.docx)
School Basic Information Form and Teacher Information Form
Compiled results of the stakeholder survey which was conducted in the same school year as the School Report was prepared: KGs collect views from parents, teachers and supporting staff (clerk and janitor staff) by using the questionnaires (2017 version) provided by the EDB. KGs can download the aforesaid templates and tools from KGQRIS or the EDB Website
(http://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary-kindergarten/quality- assurance-framework/sse/questionnaires/questionnaires.html)
Curriculum Plan
School Floor Plan, and
A list of teachers’ function groups (if any)
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Contact with KG heads by phone
The leader of the review teams will contact KG heads by phone before the QR visit and discuss on arrangements to be made during on-site review, for instance, the schedule of interviews with parents and teachers
On-site Review
Depending on the school size, the review teams will conduct a 2.5- to 3.5-day on- site review
Review teams will observe lessons, look at children’s work, interview KG heads, teachers, parents and children, and review KGs’ existing documents to closely examine how KGs implement the inter-connected self-evaluation processes for promoting sustainable development
There is no need for KGs to adjust the arrangement of children’s daily activities for QR
Post-QR
Oral feedback will be given to the head and teaching staff of KGs at the end of the on-site review by the review teams. A draft report will be issued to KGs about two months after the QR visit. Within four weeks upon receipt of the draft report, KGs are required to submit a reply slip, with written response, if any, endorsed by their Supervisor to the EDB. A final report will be issued to KGs within four weeks upon receipt of the reply slip
When EDB issues the final QR report to KGs, KG heads and teachers will be invited to fill in a set of post-QR questionnaires to collect their feedback on the QR visit
KGs assessed as meeting the prescribed standards in QR:
Both Chinese and English version of the QR reports will be uploaded onto the EDB website and linked to the KG Profile for public’s reference
KGs remain eligible for joining the Scheme
KGs assessed as not meeting the prescribed standards in QR:
KGs may apply for a follow-up QR by submitting an action plan to address the issues identified for improvement to the EDB within two months after receiving
the final QR report
If KGs apply for a follow-up QR, the QR reports will not be uploaded onto the EDB website or linked to the KG Profile. However, the KGs concerned must make the report and improvement plan accessible to their teachers and parents.
A separate team of inspectors from the EDB will conduct a follow-up QR about 12 months after the issue of the final QR report. All follow-up QR reports, irrespective of meeting or not meeting the prescribed standards, will be uploaded onto the EDB website and linked to the KG Profile
If KGs do not apply for a follow-up QR two months upon the receipt of the final QR reports, the QR reports will be uploaded onto the EDB website and linked to the KG Profile
For those KGs assessed as not meeting the prescribed standards but choose not to apply for a follow-up QR, or those KGs assessed as not meeting the prescribed standards in the follow-up QR, EDB will contemplate termination of their status as a Scheme-KG and cease the provision of government subsidy
The most recent QR reports will be uploaded onto the EDB website and linked to the KG Profile to supersede the previous one
For enquiries, please
visit the EDB website “Education System and Policy > Kindergarten Education >
Quality Assurance Framework > Quality Review Mechanism”
(http://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary-kindergarten/quality-assurance- framework/qr/index.html)
or
contact the Kindergarten Inspection Section at 2892 5458
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IV. Summary of Quality Review Procedures
* QR Reports of those KGs that were assessed as meeting the prescribed standards will be uploaded onto the EDB Website once ready while QR Reports of those assessed as not meeting the prescribed standards should only be made accessible to their teachers and parents. If KGs concerned do not apply for a follow-up QR within the required time-frame, their QR Reports will be uploaded onto the EDB website. All follow-up QR Reports will be uploaded on the EDB website.
Meeting prescribed
standards Not meeting
prescribed
standards Remain eligible for
the Scheme EDB issues an
advisory letter
KGs apply for a follow-up QR and submit an improvement plan within two
months
Follow-up QR (12 months after
final QR report issued)
contemplates EDB termination of their status
as a Scheme- KG and cease the provision of government
subsidy
Not meeting prescribed
standards
KGs do not apply for a follow-up
QR contemplates EDB
termination of their status
as a Scheme- KG and cease the provision of government
subsidy
Meeting prescribed standards
KGs will be notified of the exact QR dates eight weeks in advance
Six weeks before QR, KGs submit school calendar and timetables
Four weeks before QR, KGs submit School Report (2018 version of EBD’s template), which should be complied not later than the 1st of September each year, and all other required documents
Depending on the school size, a 2.5- to 3.5-day on-site review will be conducted
A draft Report will be issued to KGs about two months after QR
KGs submit reply slip and written feedback, if any, in four weeks
Final Report* will be issued in four weeks upon receipt of schools’ reply
Quality Review Prior to Quality Review
