Yew Chung International Kindergarten Fees 2026: 5 Campuses IB Curriculum Guide
Yew Chung International Kindergarten 2026 fees: full-day HK$214,390-$254,177/yr. IB PYP curriculum, bilingual teaching, 5 campus locations and admissions guide.
About Yew Chung Education
Yew Chung Education Foundation was established in 1932 by the renowned educator Madam Tsang Chor-hang in Shanghai, making it one of the earliest pioneers of bilingual Chinese-English education in the Chinese community. After expanding to Hong Kong in the 1970s, Yew Chung has grown into an internationally recognized education institution, currently operating 5 kindergartens across the Kowloon City and Sai Kung districts.
Yew Chung is one of the few institutions in Hong Kong offering through-train international education from kindergarten to secondary school. Its flagship Yew Chung International School (YCIS) provides the full IB Diploma Programme, creating a clear pathway for students from early years through to university preparation.
Organization Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Yew Chung Education Foundation |
| Chinese Name | 耀中教育機構 |
| Founded | 1932 (Shanghai) |
| Hong Kong Operations | Since 1970s |
| Number of Kindergartens | 5 |
| Curriculum Framework | IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) |
| Languages of Instruction | Bilingual Chinese-English (approx. 50/50) |
Educational Features
IB PYP Curriculum
Yew Chung kindergartens follow the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) framework, centred on inquiry-based learning. The IB PYP emphasizes transdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and international-mindedness, helping young children actively construct knowledge through meaningful contexts.
The six PYP transdisciplinary themes run throughout the kindergarten curriculum:
- Who We Are — Understanding self and others
- Where We Are in Place and Time — Exploring history and geography
- How We Express Ourselves — Arts and creative expression
- How the World Works — Science and nature exploration
- How We Organize Ourselves — Social structures and systems
- Sharing the Planet — Environment and sustainability
Bilingual Co-Teaching Model
Yew Chung's most distinctive feature is its co-teaching model:
- Two homeroom teachers per class: One Chinese-speaking teacher and one English-speaking teacher, both with equal status
- Collaborative planning and teaching: Both teachers jointly design the curriculum and alternate leading instruction in Chinese and English
- Authentic bilingual environment: Chinese and English each account for approximately 50% of instruction time
- Cross-cultural experience: Students naturally experience both Eastern and Western cultures daily, developing genuine international perspectives
Inquiry-Based Learning
Rather than rote memorization, Yew Chung encourages children to:
- Initiate inquiry through questioning and forming hypotheses
- Test ideas through hands-on experimentation
- Collaborate in small groups to solve problems
- Consolidate learning through reflection and documentation
2026/27 Fee Comparison Across 5 Campuses
| Campus | District | Half-Day Fee/Year | Full-Day Fee/Year | PN Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yew Chung International School | Kowloon City | $134,728 | $254,177 | ❌ |
| Yew Chung International Kindergarten (Waterloo Road) | Kowloon City | — | $241,857 | ✅ |
| Yew Chung International Kindergarten (Kent Road) | Kowloon City | — | $241,857 | ✅ |
| Yew Chung Kindergarten (Somerset Road) | Kowloon City | — | $241,857 | ✅ |
| Yew Chung International Kindergarten (Tseung Kwan O) | Sai Kung | $129,514 | $214,390 | ✅ |
Key Fee Observations
- Kowloon City campuses (Waterloo Rd / Kent Rd / Somerset Rd): Whole-day only, $241,857/year — no half-day option
- Tseung Kwan O campus: Offers both half-day ($129,514/year) and whole-day ($214,390/year)
- YCIS flagship school: Whole-day $254,177/year — the highest among all Yew Chung kindergartens
- Additional costs: Application fees (approx. $1,500-2,000), capital levies, and bus fees charged separately
⚠️ Fee data sourced from the EDB Kindergarten Profile. For reference only. Confirm actual fees directly with the school.
Campus Profiles
Yew Chung International Kindergarten (Waterloo Road) — Flagship Kindergarten Campus
Located in the heart of Kowloon Tong near MTR Kowloon Tong Station, the Waterloo Road campus offers excellent transport accessibility. As one of Yew Chung's longest-established kindergarten sites, it features well-maintained facilities and a highly experienced teaching team. The campus provides the full programme from PN to K3.
Address: G/F, 151-153 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong
Yew Chung International Kindergarten (Kent Road)
Nestled in a quiet residential neighbourhood of Kowloon Tong, the Kent Road campus provides a peaceful and safe learning environment away from busy streets. With relatively smaller class sizes, teachers can offer more individualized attention to each child.
Address: G/F & 1/F, 29 Kent Road, Kowloon Tong
Yew Chung Kindergarten (Somerset Road)
The Somerset Road campus sits adjacent to Yew Chung International School (YCIS), and the two schools share some facilities and educational resources. Families choosing this campus benefit from a seamless transition when children progress to YCIS primary, as they are already familiar with the campus environment.
Address: 20 Somerset Road, Kowloon Tong
Yew Chung International Kindergarten (Tseung Kwan O) — First New Territories Campus
The Tseung Kwan O campus is Yew Chung's newest addition, located at Savannah Place in LOHAS Park. The purpose-built facility features modern design and brand-new amenities. This campus brings Yew Chung's quality international education to families in the New Territories East, eliminating the need for a long commute to Kowloon Tong.
Address: 3 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
Admissions
Application Timeline
Yew Chung kindergartens typically accept applications for the following academic year between August and October. PN (pre-nursery) applications generally follow a similar timeline. Parents should monitor the school website for official announcements.
Application Process
- Online application: Complete the application form via the Yew Chung official website
- Document submission: Birth certificate, passport photo, parent identification, etc.
- Application fee: Approximately $1,500-2,000 (non-refundable)
- Interview invitation: Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview
- Admission decision: Typically issued 2-4 weeks after the interview
Age Requirements
- PN class: Must be 2 years old at the time of enrolment
- K1: Must be 3 years old by September 1 of the enrolment year
Interview Tips
Yew Chung kindergarten interviews are conducted in a relaxed, interactive format. The school primarily assesses children's social skills and developmental readiness — there is no need for intensive drilling.
Interview Format
- Group play observation: 5-8 children engage in free play while teachers observe
- English interaction: A foreign teacher conducts simple conversations and games in English
- Chinese interaction: A Chinese teacher engages with children in Cantonese or Putonghua
- Parent interview: Discussion about the family's educational philosophy and expectations
What the School Looks For
- Social skills and ability to interact with peers
- Adaptability to new environments and natural curiosity
- Basic language comprehension and expression
- Parents' understanding of and commitment to bilingual education
Preparation Tips
- Give your child opportunities to participate in group activities with unfamiliar children
- Incorporate simple English conversations and games into daily life
- Do not drill reading or arithmetic — Yew Chung values curiosity and social skills above academic readiness
- During the parent interview, be sincere about your understanding of and hopes for bilingual education
Comparison with Other International Kindergartens
| Institution | Full-Day Fee Range/Year | Curriculum Highlights | No. of Campuses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yew Chung | $214,390-$254,177 | IB PYP, bilingual co-teaching | 5 |
| Victoria Educational Organisation | $80,000-$140,000 | IB PYP, multiple intelligences | 9 |
| ESF International Kindergartens | $90,000-$120,000 | Inquiry-based, English-medium | 5 |
| German Swiss International School | $150,000+ | Dual-stream (German/English) | 1 |
Yew Chung's unique advantages:
- The co-teaching model is the most mature and well-established among Hong Kong's international kindergartens
- A genuine 50/50 Chinese-English instruction balance, whereas most international schools lean heavily toward English
- 90 years of educational heritage providing strong brand credibility
- Clear through-train pathway to YCIS
FAQ
Q: Does Yew Chung participate in the government's free kindergarten education scheme?
No. Yew Chung is a private international school and does not participate in the government Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme. Parents must pay tuition in full.
Q: Is admission to YCIS guaranteed after attending a Yew Chung kindergarten?
Kindergarten graduates receive priority interview opportunities, but admission is not automatic. Children must still pass the entrance assessment and meet the school's admission standards.
Q: Will limited English proficiency affect my child's application?
No. Yew Chung values home-school partnership and communicates with parents bilingually. Parent interviews can be conducted in Cantonese or Putonghua. However, the school does expect parents to support and endorse the bilingual education philosophy.
Q: Are there campuses outside Kowloon Tong?
Currently, Yew Chung has 4 campuses in Kowloon City District and 1 in Sai Kung District (Tseung Kwan O). Families living on Hong Kong Island or in the western New Territories may find the commute challenging and should consider other international kindergarten options closer to home.
Summary
With 90 years of educational heritage, a well-established IB PYP curriculum framework, and a distinctive bilingual co-teaching model, Yew Chung Education holds a prominent position in Hong Kong's international early childhood education landscape. Full-day tuition ranges from $214,390 to $254,177/year, placing Yew Chung in the premium tier of international kindergarten pricing.
For families planning an international education pathway who value balanced bilingual Chinese-English development, Yew Chung is a strong contender worth serious consideration. We recommend visiting individual campuses in person to experience the school atmosphere and teaching environment before making your final decision.