When Dr Chan took over her mother’s school in the 1970s and launched the kindergarten, she was told that open classrooms and playful learning could never work. But Chan’s kindergarten soon became one of the top schools in Hong Kong. Its success, explains Chan, is based on the insight that children learn best when supported, not directed, by a teacher. This principle now guides all YCIS kindergartens.

The Yew Chung approach to early childhood education is distinctive. Children are treated as capable, autonomous learners with valuable ideas. ‘Strong adult-child relationships have always been at the core of our approach,’ helping optimise children’s learning and development.

Chan has bold visions for the future of Yew Chung. With the anticipated launch of Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education, the organisation will soon provide education ‘from B to B’ (Baby to Bachelor’s). In addition, Chan hopes that it will allow the pedagogy to expand, setting a standard of excellence in early childhood education that everyone can access, and generating a lasting impact on society.

Read the full interview here.