The Hong Kong Preschool Playgroups Association

The Hong Kong Pre-school Playgroups Association is an educational charity registered with the Hong Kong SAR government. We were first established in April 1979 as a branch of the British PPA and have in 1997 become an independent entity.

Throughout Hong Kong, there are seven pre-schools under the auspices of the HKPPA. The HKPPA aims to advance the preschool education and social development of children who primarily are below school age in a learning-through-play environment. The seven pre-schools under the HKPPA umbrella are best viewed as playgroups for pre-school aged children; they do not follow the defined structure of a standard pre-school.

The HKPPA pursues and promotes child directed play and is based on the belief that play is the best and most natural way for a child to learn. Children are encouraged to explore at their own pace, to make their own choice and discoveries. We believe that this helps young children to learn more effectively and gain self-confidence. At the HKPPA, children are not pushed to hurry through their play or distracted from what interests them.

We believe that the pre-school years are vital. It is more constructive for children and parents to play together than for a child to be merely educated. Research has shown that a child’s ability to learn considerably improves when parents are involved. At HKPPA a whole array of learning experience are assisted by

• An average adult/child ration of 1:5
• A large, open stimulating environment
• A comprehensive selection of playgroup, equipment, art, puzzles/games, ride-on toys, floor toys, home corner, sand and water play
• Daily circle time (which includes: show and tell, music and story time)
• Snack-time to promote nutrition and socialization
• Cooking and sewing on a weekly basis
• Regular outings related to monthly themes
• Individual attention and the opportunity for the children to exercise their intelligence to solve problems and to be creative
• A unique opportunity for parents to participate in their child’s playgroup
• A registered Educational Charity that is a non-profit group which reinvests all fees into the group for the benefit of the children
• Parent direct policies

As parental involvement is emphasized, two types of places are offered – duty places and a fixed number of non-duty places. Duty place parents are required to help out on one pre-assigned morning per week at the playgroups.