What We Stand For

Our vision is for every student to be the best that they can be.

Mission Statement
“Our mission is to inspire creativity and nurture global citizens and leaders of the future. We do this by creating joyful learning environments, led by a community of exceptional teachers, who bring out the best in every child through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.”

At Tung Chung Kindergarten, we aspire to create the conditions for every child to be kind, happy, learning, and engaged. Our students are supported to Wonder, Aspire, and Flourish.

At Tung Chung Kindergarten we are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. The approach understands that children are competent, resourceful, curious, imaginative, inventive, and possess a desire to interact and communicate with others. Teachers are seen as reflective, co-constructive practitioners, collaborating and facilitating opportunities that provoke thought, wonder, investigation, and exploration.

The image of the parent and teacher are essential elements of this approach and must also be considered within the environment. The approach advocates for all parents to be accorded deep respect and viewed as partners in their child’s education.

The learning environment as a third teacher is founded in the image of the child, parent, and teacher. It is a welcoming and inviting space for children and families.

We promote a sense of belonging and create an environment that allows children to see that we value and respect them as individuals and as part of the learning community. We organise environments rich in possibilities and provocations inviting the children to play, work with, and alongside others. The spaces are designed and arranged with great attention to detail to ensure that the children are comfortable and aesthetically stimulating.

We provide numerous opportunities for children to research, develop their ideas, and test their theories using their many languages of expression. We allow them time to think and investigate, negotiate with one another, and make choices and reasoned decisions. We create a space where they can solve problems and know their ideas are valued.

Tung Chung Kindergarten Development Plans and School Reports

View the Tung Chung Annual Development Plan

View the Tung Chung Annual Report

Safeguarding and Child Protection

ESF upholds every child’s right to learn and live in conditions that protect them from harm.

At ESF we prioritise Safeguarding and Child Protection. Through our actions, we promote the optimum development of our students' intellectual, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Wherever possible, we aim to prevent harm through our safeguarding actions, and if harm has occurred, we respond through our child protection procedures.

All ESF staff are trained in preventative and protective measures, with each school having at least two dedicated Child Protection Officers on site to lead on this critical aspect of student life.

Our policy and procedures are based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Hong Kong law, and additional guidance from international sources such as Keeping Children Safe, and the International Task Force on Child Protection.

Our policy is built on four core tenets:

We respond: All our actions are proactive and responsive, guided by strong policy to ensure we do all we can to safeguard and protect our students.
We support: We work in hope, towards a future without child maltreatment, in close collaboration with our students and their families. We understand the specific context they live in, and support them in a culturally sensitive manner.
We connect: We engage and partner with local and international support services, with our communities, and with each other through the ESF Child Protection Officers Network.
We develop: The field of Child Protection is always in motion; we constantly strive to improve our approach. We refine and review our actions, with the aim to constantly better ourselves.

ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten - Child Protection Officers

Nicole Gouws, Principal (nicole.grevis-james@tck.edu.hk)
Fiona Hall, Learning Coordinator (fiona.hall@tck.edu.hk)

By enrolling their children at ESF, parents agree to work in partnership with us and abide by the ESF Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures.

Download ESF Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the centre of who we are at ESF.

We are a community of over 18,000 students and staff from more than 70 nationalities and cultures, with a history stretching back over 50 years. We recognise the importance of creating an environment where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and respect, and appreciated for who they are.

This is integral to our vision, mission and values as a leading international school organisation, committed to developing and inspiring every student to be the best that they can be.

Each school within ESF holds a shared vision to create a welcoming learning and working environment, including online, where everyone is valued and supported, so that each and every person in our community can thrive. We believe this is a key driver of our excellence and empowers our students and our staff to reach their fullest potential.

We are aware of our critical role in shaping the future generation of global citizens and are committed to constantly assessing and challenging our own diversity, equity and inclusion practices to ensure we are doing our very best for our students, staff, parents and the wider community.

Our commitments:

To provide students with an equal opportunity to access education and the support they require to enable them to flourish and truly be the best that they can be.
To embrace diversity and celebrate the uniqueness of each student through our personalised learning approach in all ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.
To educate students and staff on the importance and impact of positive diversity, equity and inclusion policies, practices and behaviours through normalising speaking up, identifying learning opportunities, and holding regular training, awareness events and campaigns.
To promote equitable practices in all of our operations and be fair in the way we deal with all aspects of recruitment and employment.
Not to tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including online, against any student or member of staff such as in relation to gender, pregnancy, breastfeeding, adoption, marital status, age, family status, belief, race, disability or sexuality.
To constantly work on improving our focus and accountability in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion; to have personal responsibility and commitment to learning and growth in these areas; to provide regular training and professional development opportunities across all levels of the organisation; to be transparent about our efforts and our progress in reaching our goals; and to highlight and challenge our unconscious biases and be open to ideas for change and improvement.