Schools and childcare for families

How does school work in Hong Kong, and is it free?#

The Education Bureau (EDB) says its aim is 12 years of free primary and secondary education to all children through public sector schools. Its placement page says this is for eligible local children, and that parents must send children aged 6 to 15 to school.

Primary school starts at about 6 and lasts 6 years. Secondary school lasts 6 years, 3 junior and 3 senior. Kindergarten is not compulsory and usually starts at 3. Whether your child counts as eligible depends on immigration status: see the next sections.

Can my child go to a government or aided school if we are new to Hong Kong?#

Possibly, if the child holds a document EDB lists. EDB Circular 13/2026 (13 July 2026) says public sector school places are for Hong Kong children and children living here with their families as residents. Admission is limited to a Hong Kong birth certificate marked "Established", a Hong Kong ID card issued on or after 26 November 2018 without the symbol "C", or a valid travel document with a listed endorsement.

The list includes dependant endorsements under the General Employment Policy, the Top Talent Pass Scheme and other schemes. The limit-of-stay date must still be valid.

What if my child is on a student visa or a visitor, or our sponsor's stay ends?#

EDB Circular 13/2026 says a child with a "STUDENT" endorsement can live here for study in non-public sector schools only (private, DSS, ESF or international). Unless the Director of Immigration clears it, no child whose passport shows "Visitor" should be admitted to any school.

The Secretary for Education told LegCo on 25 September 2025 that a dependant's stay is normally linked to the sponsor's. For Top Talent Pass families who do not extend, school-age children admitted by a non-public sector school may apply to ImmD for a visa or entry permit to study. That route excludes, among others, Mainland Chinese nationals. Student visa rules are in the Studying guide.

How does a newly arrived child get a school place?#

Contact schools directly, or ask a Regional Education Office for placement help. EDB provides this for children aged 6 to 18 who can enrol in public sector schools. A leaflet with a reply form is at the Airport, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Shenzhen Bay and West Kowloon; EDB says it will contact parents within three working days of receiving the form. Enquiries: 2892 6191.

For Primary 1 or Secondary 1 at the start of the school year, apply to the School Places Allocation Section on or before 31 August with the original entry identity documents. After 1 September, contact schools directly or a Regional Education Office.

What do I bring to a Regional Education Office, and how long does it take?#

EDB says to bring each child's identity documents, proof of academic level and proof of residential address (originals and photocopies), and the child if newly arrived. You can send copies by post, email or fax; EDB then phones within five working days.

Offices: Hong Kong 2863 4646, Kowloon 3698 4108, NT East 2639 4876, NT West 2437 7272.

Schools usually interview a newly arrived child to set a class level. EDB's monthly secondary vacancy page is for reference only, and places offered may not match the level or elective subjects you want.

Is there a programme to help newly arrived children settle in?#

Yes, two. EDB says newly arrived children, including non-Chinese speaking and returnee children, can attend the full-time six-month Initiation Programme before joining a mainstream school. It runs in schools, with classes of around 20, and EDB gives placement help afterwards.

Children who go straight into a mainstream school can attend the free 60-hour Induction Programme in their spare time. It is run by non-governmental organisations for children aged 6 to 18 who arrived in Hong Kong, or studied in local schools, less than a year ago. Ask the schools or centres running them, or call EDB on 2892 6191.

What support is there for children who do not speak Chinese?#

EDB says all mainstream schools will admit non-Chinese speaking (NCS) children, case by case, because most schools teach most subjects in Chinese. Its stated policy intent is to encourage parents to place NCS children in a school with an immersed Chinese language environment as early as possible.

Schools use EDB's Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework, in place since 2014/15. From 2026/27 EDB merges its separate NCS and NCS special-needs grants into one support grant for schools. A Summer Bridging Programme serves NCS children moving into Primary 1 to 6 (enquiries 3509 7586). Leaflets in other languages are listed in the Help in your language guide.

What kinds of school are there, and what language do they teach in?#

Government schools are run directly by the Government; aided schools are fully subsidised. With caput schools they make up the public sector. Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools, 78 in 2026/27, receive subsidy but may charge fees and have more flexibility in admission. Private schools, including international and private independent schools, are self-financing and generally teach non-local curricula.

EDB says most government and aided primary schools teach in Chinese except English Language. Secondary schools can set their own medium of instruction. Some international and DSS schools use English for most subjects.

How do I get a kindergarten place?#

Apply to each kindergarten yourself; admission is school-based.

Kindergartens in the Kindergarten Education Scheme admit only children holding a Registration Certificate (RC) or Admission Pass (AP). For K1 in 2027/28, apply to EDB from September to November 2026. Forms are due by 30 November 2026, or the RC will generally not be issued before registration. An RC needs a Hong Kong resident with right of abode, right to land or permission to remain without conditions other than a time limit, born on or before 31 December 2024. Visit-visa and two-way-permit children cannot get an RC or an AP; student-visa children cannot get an RC. An AP means full school fees.

What are the K1 dates and fee limits for September 2027?#

EDB's circular of 8 June 2026 says kindergartens must tell parents the K1 result before 11 December 2026. Parents register with one kindergarten on 7 to 9 January 2027 by letting it scan the e-RC or e-AP QR code. K1 to K3 vacancy information follows from late January 2027. Changing school after registering means de-registering, and the registration fee is normally not refunded.

EDB sets ceilings for schools in the Scheme: application fee HK$40, registration fee HK$970 for a half-day session and HK$1,570 for a whole-day session. Schools should not ask for registration or other fees before the Centralised Registration Dates, which start on 7 January 2027.

How does Primary One admission work for September 2027?#

EDB's Primary One Admission (POA) System covers government and aided schools. Children born on or before 31 December 2021 can join if they are Hong Kong residents, not in primary school and never allocated a P1 place.

Stage one (discretionary places) took applications to one school from 17 to 25 September 2026; EDB's page says it has ended. Schools release results on 23 November 2026, and successful children register on 25 or 26 November. Others go to Central Allocation: school choices on 18 to 24 January 2027, results by post on 2 and 3 June 2027. Parents who have not applied must apply to EDB by 22 January 2027.

How are Primary One places decided, and what must I show?#

Some 30 school nets divide the territory; parents give the net for the child's address. About 30% of a school's places go to children with a sibling at the school or a parent working there, and at least 20% are decided by a points system. Schools must not test or interview the children. In Central Allocation about 50% of places are set aside, and a random number orders applicants for crowded schools.

EDB says to give the actual residential address: a false address makes the application void and the place is withdrawn, and a false statutory declaration is an offence. Questions: 2832 7700, or 2891 0088 at any hour.

How do I get a Secondary One place for September 2027?#

Students in primary schools in the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System can apply to up to two schools for discretionary places from 4 to 18 January 2027. Schools notify successful families on 31 March 2027. Central Allocation choices go in through the primary school in early April to early May 2027. Results come on 6 July 2027; registration is on 8 and 9 July 2027.

Newly arrived children and others outside SSPA visit EDB's School Places Allocation Section between 3 December 2026 and 18 January 2027 for a discretionary-place form, or apply for a subsidised place from May to August 2027. The section is on 2832 7740.

How do I apply to a DSS, private or international school?#

Directly to the school. EDB says DSS, private (including international) and English Schools Foundation primary schools are outside POA, and that international, private independent and DSS schools set their own admission rules. Applications usually open about a year or more before the school year. Schools may hold assessments or interviews, and may favour factors such as nationality, siblings, staff children, or nomination-right and debenture schemes; EDB says to understand the terms before applying.

EDB says all DSS and private independent schools must set aside at least 10% of fees for scholarships or fee remission.

Where can I get day care for a baby or toddler?#

At a child care centre. The Social Welfare Department (SWD) lists aided and private or non-profit-making centres for children from birth to under 3. They open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Apply directly to the centre. Fees are approved by SWD, or by EDB for centres attached to kindergartens.

All centres must be registered under the Child Care Services Ordinance. SWD's centre list, with approved monthly fees, is a September 2026 file. Parents of children in full-day aided centres can apply for the Child Care Centre Parent Subsidy through the centre; SWD says no financial assessment is needed.

What after-school care is there?#

SWD lists three kinds. For children aged 3 to under 6, the pre-primary programme runs morning, afternoon and evening sessions on weekdays, with fees set by SWD. For primary pupils, NGOs run self-financing centres until about 7:00 or 7:30 p.m.; households at or below 55% of the median household income can get a full fee waiver, with smaller reductions up to 100%. Both apply directly to the centre.

A school-based scheme for 2026/27 is open to all Primary 1 to 6 pupils who need care after school. It is free for families who meet its income rules; others pay a fixed HK$1,700 a month.

Who can mind my child for a few hours or in an emergency?#

SWD lists occasional child care at some centres: HK$64 for a full-day session, HK$32 for a half-day and HK$16 for two hours, excluding meals. Extended hours care after 6 p.m. costs HK$13 an hour.

For ad-hoc or emergency needs, SWD's Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project offers home-based carers (7 a.m. to 11 p.m., HK$28 an hour) for babies up to primary age, and centre-based groups for ages 3 to primary at HK$20 an hour. SWD says home-based carers must complete a home environment assessment and a 14-hour basic training course. Apply directly to the operator.

Is there help with kindergarten and child care fees?#

Yes, for families who pass a means test. The Student Finance Office (SFO) runs the Kindergarten and Child Care Centre Fee Remission Scheme and a grant for school-related expenses. For 2026/27, a kindergarten child must be at least 2 years 8 months old on 31 August 2026 and attend a non-profit-making kindergarten in the Kindergarten Education Scheme. Children aged 0 to 3 need whole-day care at an SWD-registered child care centre, and the family must pass a "social needs" assessment. Levels are full, 3/4 and half. EDB says full-level parents pay no difference in school fees. SFO: 2802 2345. Some visa holders are excluded: see the next section.

Who can get Student Finance Office help, and who cannot?#

SFO's textbook, travel and internet-access schemes help needy primary and secondary students; one household form covers all children. Families on CSSA generally apply to SWD instead.

SFO says holders of visitor visas, two-way exit permits and student visas only, and dependants of student-visa holders, are not eligible. From 2027/28 it also excludes people staying under talent and investment schemes (including the Top Talent Pass, Quality Migrant Admission and General Employment Policy schemes) and their dependants, people on student or training visas and their dependants, and people on Working Holiday visas. EDB has no objection to some secondary schools collecting Tong Fai from senior secondary students; it gives no amount.

Do children need vaccinations or a medical check to start school?#

For kindergartens and child care centres, the EDB and SWD operation manual (May 2026) says children should have a physical examination by a registered doctor before admission, and should be immunised against listed diseases such as measles, polio and hepatitis B. For the examination it cites the Child Care Services Regulations and the Education Regulations.

The Department of Health says its Maternal and Child Health Centres give childhood immunisation from birth to 5 years, and that its School Immunisation Teams vaccinate primary pupils at school, for example the Primary 1 DTaP-IPV booster. Clinic fees and who counts as eligible are in the Health access and fees guide.

Can a domestic helper look after my children and do the school run?#

The Immigration Department (ImmD) says baby-sitting and child-minding are among the five broad categories of domestic duties. Its FAQ says an employer may deploy the helper to take the employer's children to and from school and look after them when the family eats out. Driving is not included unless ImmD gives special permission.

An employer should not require or allow a helper to work for anyone else. Taking a neighbour's child to school is not an obligation; if the helper offers voluntarily, ImmD says it does not warrant intervention by law enforcement. Wages, rest days and contracts are in the Domestic helpers guide.

What we could not confirm#

No official page we read ranks schools or says which schools are best, popular or in the best districts. We found no official page with a 21-working-day placement pledge for newly arrived children; the EDB pages we read give three and five working days.

We found no page saying whether a dependant-visa child gets an RC or an AP, or requiring a vaccination certificate for primary or secondary entry.

The English Schools Foundation says each of its schools has a waiting list and offers depend on vacancy, but the page is undated. Check it directly.