Guide to child care services and subsidies in Hong Kong

Day care for children from birth to under 3, in standalone centres or in centres attached to kindergartens. Every child care centre must be registered and regulated under the Child Care Services Ordinance and Regulations.

Usual hours are 8am–6pm Monday to Friday and 8am–1pm on Saturday.

Fees at standalone centres are approved by SWD; fees at centres attached to kindergartens by the EDB Joint Office for Kindergartens and Child Care Centres.

Enquire and apply directly at the centre you prefer.

Some child care centres and KG-cum-CCCs take children for a full day, half day or two-hour session when parents or carers have sudden commitments.

Subvented fees: $64 a full day, $32 a half day, $16 for two hours (meals extra). Hours are the same as the centre's.

Extra care after 6pm (to 7pm or 8pm) on weekdays and on Saturday afternoons, at $13 an hour. Hours vary by centre.

Home-based care: trained home-based carers look after children from newborn to pre-primary age, and primary pupils with ad-hoc or emergency needs, 7am–11pm, at $28 an hour.

Centre-based care groups for children aged 3 to primary school level, at $20 an hour.

Users in financial hardship can ask the operator for a fee waiver. Apply directly to your district's team.

Run by NGOs on a self-financing, fee-charging basis, with homework help, parent guidance and social activities. Usually after school to 7pm or 7:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Fee waiver: low-income families (on CSSA, the Working Family Allowance or student financial assistance, or with income at or below the median monthly household income) can apply for a full, half or one-third fee reduction at a participating centre.

The Enhanced programme extends hours to weekday evenings, weekends and school holidays.

Care before or after school for children aged 3 to under 6, or in K1–K3 at a kindergarten or KG-cum-CCC.

Three sessions a day (morning, afternoon, evening), Monday to Friday except public holidays; some centres open extra sessions at weekends.

Fees are set by SWD; families in financial hardship can ask the operator for a reduction or waiver. Apply directly to the centre.

Children from low-income families in full-day child care can apply to the Student Finance Office (WFSFAA) to cover part or all of the fee.

Get the forms and guidance notes from your child's centre and send them to the Student Finance Office.

Parents whose children use full-day aided child care can apply through the centre; there is no means test.