1

Report-back Seminar“ Early Intervention” in Family and Pre-

school Children Services

Implementing “Early Intervention”

in Child Care Service in HK

Tse Shuk InHong Kong YWCA

(March 20, 2006)

2

Policy Shift

• Child protection and youth justice investigation and intervention prevention• Focus on parenting and community private matter public policy• Labour market getting women into work

Early Intervention （ Australia）• early stage of problem• early in life of child

3

Policy Options

• increase family income• universal Vs targeted provision• child as future citizen Vs worker• care or control

www.missionaustralia.com.an(National Youth Survey 2005: key and emerging

issues)

4

Family First

• home visiting nurse (health clinic)

• universal offer to all mothers

• 20% families decline the service

• key indicators: biannual report

5

Child Care Service

• long day care 7:30am – 6:00pm

• pre-school 9:00am – 5:00pm

• family day care

• child care in shopping centre

Support for young parents （ YWCA New South Wales ）

• Budget cookbook

• Your Guide For Life as a Parent

6

Somerville Park Early Childhood Education Centre

• Toy library – old toys• Senior citizens – as volunteers• Coffee shop – parent waiting while sharing & mu

tual support• Take-home meal services• Planting & theatres areas – child-centered learni

ng model• Fathers’ participation valued• Door sign with different languages• Grandparents’ needs as carer

7

Early Intervention (Hong Kong)

• early stage of problem – more

• Early in life of child – growing

• More recognition of the formative years & inclusion into the formal education system

• More integration & collaboration needed

8

Child Care Services after Harmonization

Kindergarten Kindergarten cum Child Care Centre

EMB EMB + SWD

Age 3-6 Age 2-6

Half day Whole dayIntegrated programOccasional careExtended hours

For families For families both parents are working

9

• Two services catering for families’ different needs

• Consistent monitoring system

• Adequate resources allocation for these foundation years: Pre-school service

Areas to be improved

10

Contact Point

Department of Health• Maternal and Child Health Centre

EMB• Kindergarten

• Kindergarten cum Child Care Centre

SWD• IFSC

11

Collaboration (Education – Social Welfare)

• Stationing Social Worker

• Family Counseling

• Parents’ group , talk, workshops

• Volunteers (youth, adult, foreigner)

• Adjustment preparation

• Community resources

12

Collaboration (Health – Education)• Prevention & Promotion

• Positive Parenting Program

Collaboration (Health – Social Welfare)

• Post-natal hotline