On 19 November, 2024, the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services visited three service units of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC), including the Children’s Residential Home (CRH), to learn about its work over the past two years.   Members first listened to a briefing from Mr. Vincent Lee, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and Ms. Subrina Chow, Director, on its services and operations. During the meeting, Chow shared the current operational challenges faced by NGOs, expressing her hope that the government would review the subsidy model, allowing our childcare centres and nursery schools to more flexibly utilise their reserves to support more children and families in need.   Members then observed the facilities and environment of CRH, as well as the Air Cargo Community Day Creche and the Children and Family Services Centre (Sham Mong Districts), to learn about its childcare and family support services.   Members exchanged views with HKSPC representatives on issues such as establishing effective regulatory mechanisms, improving service quality, strengthening staff training and further promoting a culture of child safeguarding.   Looking ahead, we will be committed to planning new services and continuing to optimise existing services to respond to the ever-changing needs of society, creating a happy childhood for children in Hong Kong.   Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Panel, Reverend Canon Peter Douglas Koon, and Deputy Chairman, Ms Doreen Kong; Panel members Mr Stanley Li, Mr Kenneth Leung, Mr Tang Ka-piu; as well as non-Panel members Dr Junius Ho, Mr Edward Leung and Ms Joephy Chan.  

The HKSPC “Happy Childhoods Uplift Us All” Conference was successfully held on November 1, 2024. The event examines the three key aspects that contribute to a well-rounded upbringing: physical health, mental health, and interpersonal relationships, has attracted over 400 childcare workers, social workers, teachers and parents from HKSPC and outside HKSPC.   We were honoured to invite Mr Chris Sun, JP, Secretary for Labour and Welfare HKSAR to deliver an opening speech for the conference and have more than 10 experts given keynote speeches. They contribute a lot to children's physical and mental health development in their professional fields. We believe that all attendees can gain rich knowledge and inspiration from them.   Mr. Sun expressed his pleasure at seeing HKSPC actively implementing s series of measures to enhance service quality and organizational governance over the past two years. To support the society in monitoring childcare services, the government has appropriated money from the Lotteries Fund, allowing the society to use AI technology in surveillance cameras. The AI-equipped cameras should be in use from Mid 2025.   We also held a press conference to release the results of the "Survey on Awareness and Perception Towards Child Safeguarding," which is the first large-scale survey in Hong Kong focused on public awareness of child safeguarding. The results found that about 75 percent lacked an understanding of the issue. In the future, we will continue to strengthen public awareness and education on Child Safeguarding and work with other stakeholders to make Hong Kong a child-friendly city.   We sincerely hope that this conference can promote cooperation between different social welfare sectors, educational institutions and parents. Everyone can contribute to bringing happiness to more families and children in the community.

談到「大自然教育」，大家是否會想起生物學科？認識動物和植物、認識天文氣象⋯⋯等等。事實上，「大自然教育」不止是學習有關大自然的理論知識，小朋友可以親身走進大自然，透過觀察和體會身邊的各種事物和現象，主動思考和探究，從而認識世界。例如綠色和黃色的葉子有什麼不同？綠色的在樹上，黃色的在地上，摸起來質感不一樣，為什麼呢？ 「環境」是小朋友在家庭和學校以外的第三位老師，為孩子締造不同的生活經驗，例如食物、天氣、季節、水土等，都能啟發孩子去探索。孩子多留意身邊的人事物及周遭環境的變化，不單可以學習知識，更可以嘗試運用不同的工具和技能，提升解難和自我管理的能力。孩子亦可以從中培養待人處事的正面態度及價值觀，學會欣賞、珍惜和感恩。 今期我們邀請到多個界別的資深人士，帶領大家從不同角度了解大自然教育對小朋友成長的重要性。各位家長從今天起，多點與孩子一起擁抱大自然，鼓勵他們從豐富的生活經驗中學習吧！   按此閱讀《童心．家Fun》Vol.4 大自然教育     關於《童心．家Fun》 於2023年5月份創刊，以向家長及公眾分享本會累積多年的專業育兒知識為宗旨。雜誌每期主要收錄數篇幼兒照顧、幼兒教育、家庭服務等界別之專業人士的撰文，對於公眾的育兒知識有所增益。每期雜誌於各地點免費向公眾派發，派發地點包括本會屬下單位、私人診所、健康中心、各大母嬰健康院等。雜誌亦可從各大院校圖書館或公共圖書館借閱。

近七成母親不會或猶豫生育第二胎   加強支援雙職家長育兒刻不容緩   （香港，2024年8月27日）政府近年鼓勵生育，以組合拳的方式推行一系列鼓勵生育措施，希望為社會締造更有利的育兒和家庭友善環境。香港保護兒童會（下稱「本會」）於2024年5月14日至6月7日期間進行了女性生育第二胎意願網上問卷調查，目的是探討本港已生育婦女的再生育意願以及她們對政府及職場支援育兒措施的訴求。是項調查的目標對象為本港18歲至45歲、已生育一胎的婦女，合共收集了1,264份有效回應。   主要調查結果   （一）接近七成受訪者不會或未決定是否生第二胎：33.9%受訪者表示不會考慮再多生一個孩子；34.9%受訪者則未決定/未想好會否多生一個孩子；只有31.2%受訪者考慮再多生一個孩子。 （二）教顧壓力和社會支援配套不足，窒礙生育意欲：調查發現婦女不會或者猶豫是否生第二胎的主要原因，依次為 1. 經濟壓力重 2. 教育及管教壓力重 3. 居住環境太細 4. 工作時間過長，難以兼顧工作和育兒5. 日間幼兒照顧服務不足。 （三）家庭友善、醫療與日間託兒服務並行，共同支援育兒：受訪者認為最能提高生育意欲的政府措施是 1. 提供育嬰假及家長假 2. 延長及落實全薪侍產假和產假 3. 設立兒童醫療券 4. 增加子女免稅額 5. 設立奶粉津貼 6. 增加日間幼兒照顧服務名額。受訪者認為最能幫助在職家長育兒的家庭友善僱傭措施分別為1. 彈性工作時間 2.容許員工居家或遙距辦公 3. 增加有子女的員工的年假日數 4. 給予員工及其家人醫療保障 5. 提供託兒服務。   香港保護兒童會總幹事周舜宜表示：「綜觀調查結果，政府應儘早擴充日間幼兒教顧服務，包括增加幼兒中心的名額和長全日的學額分配，以分擔家庭育兒壓力，增加生育意願，亦可讓婦女放心投身職場以減輕家庭經濟壓力。長遠而言，商界亦應普及家庭友善僱傭措施，減少女性在就業與照顧子女之間的拉扯，共同應對本港低生育率及勞動力萎縮的情況。」   建議   （一）增加日間幼兒照顧服務名額   本港的幼兒中心為3歲以下幼兒提供日間照顧服務，惟當中2歲以下的服務名額一直遠低於本港相應歲數的幼兒，每40名幼兒僅得1個名額，部分家長甚至需要跨區託兒。以本會屬下五間嬰兒園爲例，共提供329個服務名額，但輪候服務人數近1,500人。   在2023年4月至12月，全港資助幼兒中心總服務名額約9,000個，其中資助獨立幼兒中心的平均使用率則長期保持在95%高水平。另一方面，資助幼兒中心及幼稚園暨幼兒中心提供受資助的暫託幼兒服務及延長時間服務，兩個服務的平均使用率卻分別只有51%和39%。   因此，政府需要繼續增加日間幼兒照顧服務的名額，尤其是幼兒中心2歲以下的服務名額。當局亦需加強宣傳暫託幼兒、延長時間及學前兒童課餘託管等服務，著力提高其認知度和使用率，讓更多有需要的家庭得到適切的支援。   （二）加強宣傳長全日制幼兒學校的好處   長全日制幼兒學校（每天上午8時至傍晚6時，每星期 5.5 天）除了為幼兒設計以幼兒全面發展為核心的課程，亦提供輔助服務，包括延長時間服務（可照顧兒童至最遲晚上8時）、暫託幼兒服務和兼收服務等。長全日制幼兒學校為幼兒提供照顧和教育服務，分擔家長的壓力，支持雙職家長兼顧工作和家庭，對加強生育二胎的意欲及釋放婦女勞動力有莫大幫助。   然而，在2023-24年度參加學前教育學券計劃/幼稚園教育計劃的學前教育學額中，「長全日制」學額僅佔整體學額的17.5%，「全日制」（每天上午9時至下午4時半，每星期 5天）學額亦只佔整體21.8%。本會建議政府增加長全日制學前教育的學額分配，方能配合社會雙職家庭的實際需要。   （三）全日制和長全日制幼兒學校納入15年免費教育   政府推行的15年免費教育，其中半日制幼稚園獲全面資助，全日制和長全日制幼兒學校則只分別獲得半日制單位資助額的30%及60%的額外資助（在2023/24年度，半日制、全日制及長全日制的資助額分別為每名學童每年38,170元、49,620元及61,070元）。   在2023/24年度，參與幼稚園計劃的372間全日制幼稚園和243間長全日制幼兒學校中，分別有349間和232間幼稚園和幼兒學校在接受資助後仍收取學費，當中全年學費中位數分別為9,600元和13,300元，最高學費則分別達28,100元和29,300元。   本會建議政府將全日制和長全日制幼兒學校納入全面資助範圍，同時將兩者學位優先分配給單親和雙職家庭。這可以讓父母放心外出工作，又能保障基層學童入讀全日制和長全日制幼兒學校的權利。   （四）兒童醫療券   政府可參考長者醫療券的運作模式，增設「兒童醫療券」，每年注資指定金額，減輕育兒家庭的經濟負擔，同時確保兒童能適時就醫。   （五）社會共同推行家庭友善僱傭措施   本會建議政府考慮將產假及侍產假延長，讓父母能協力照顧初生嬰兒，從而減輕母親因壓力和疲勞而產生的身心健康問題。同時，政府可參考內地、台灣、新加坡等鄰近地區增設「父母育兒假」和「家庭假」，讓家長可以照顧孩子和處理與子女有關的事項，以鼓勵企業跟隨執行。其中「父母育兒假」指父母在子女年滿3歲以前，每年各享一定日數的全薪育兒假（例如内地的父母育兒假為每年10日）。   政府亦可向僱主提供稅務寬減、津貼等誘因，以鼓勵僱主推行彈性工作時間等家庭友善僱傭措施，協助家長在工作和家庭之間取得平衡。

Let basketball connect us   The power of sports, particularly basketball, has the unique ability to bring people together in a positive and exciting way. This was evident when Mr. Anson Cha and 4 elite US collegiate basketball players visited HKSPC on 29 July.   These players not only demonstrated impressive basketball skills, but also emphasized the importance of teamwork and taught passing techniques to 40 of our centre children through various games. Cheers and laughter filled the air, creating a joyful atmosphere.   The players generously gifted signed jerseys to us and small presents to the children, leaving a lasting impact on their young minds. The children bid farewell to the coaches with reluctance, eagerly awaiting their next visit.

The HKSPC Child Safeguarding Academy “Inter-professional Support for Family Caregivers” seminar was successfully held on July 4, 2024. The event has attracted over 80 social workers, teachers and parents from HKSPC and outside HKSPC. Speakers have shared their inspirational insights on exploring the needs of caregivers from sectors of child education, family support and social enterprises, and how caregivers can obtain social resources.   Four speakers include Ms. Yonnie Lam, Service Director (Nursery School) of HKSPC, Ms. Cheng Yin Ping, Senior Social Work Supervisor of Caritas Rehabilitation Service, Mr. Verdi Lai, Coordinating Secretary of Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, as well as Mr. Ringle Leung, Founder of HealthyMind Parents Academy.   Ms. Mary Wong, Deputy Director (Child Care & Education) of HKSPC expressed her warm welcome during the opening speech, saying that the Society will continue creating a nurturing environment and to promote the well-being of children, demonstrating our slogan “Happy Childhoods Uplift Us All.”                             The seminar consisted of four sessions. By sharing their professional knowledge, personal experiences, life examples and case analyses, four speakers discussed with participants how to establish a safe attachment relationship with their children, support for parents who have children with special needs, career development for caregivers, and tips for improving family happiness.   We sincerely hope that this seminar can promote cooperation between different social welfare sectors, educational institutions and parents. Everyone can contribute to bring happiness to more families and children in the community.  

On June 27, 2024, the “Joint Graduation Ceremony of Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children Nursery Schools 2023-2024” successfully concluded amidst applause and cheers at Sha Tin Town Hall.   Professor The Hon CHEUNG Kin- Chung, Matthew GBM, GBS, JP; Former Chief Secretary for Administration, Hong Kong SAR Government; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong officiated at the ceremony, together with Mr. Vincent Lee, Chairman of HKSPC Executive Committee, Ms. Subrina Chow, Director of HKSPC, as well as Ms. Yada Wuthinitikornkit, Member of HKSPC Fund Raising Committee, presenting graduation certificates to 461 graduates, witnessing the unforgettable moment filled with joy and celebration.   This year, the theme of our Joint Graduation Ceremony was "Brighten children’s future together." Mr. Vincent Lee wished the graduates a fulfilling primary school life. He promised that HKSPC would continue to promote childhood wellbeing, ensuring every child who comes to the Society builds happy memories.   Addressing the graduation ceremony, Professor the Hon CHEUNG Kin- Chung wished graduates to be responsible students who can be courageous in trying new things, and face challenges with a cheerful outlook. He complimented the nursery schools on their experiential learning and free play, which effectively stimulate students with curiosity, exploration, and self-directed learning. He also praised our gala show performed by our graduates, as the most splendid performance among the graduation ceremonies he has attended over the past 25 years, which is indeed a great honour for the Society.   During the ceremony, graduates expressed their gratitude to their alma mater and parents through speeches and singing the graduation song. Graduates’ representatives then presented handmade light clay souvenirs to officiating guests as a token of gratitude on behalf of all graduates.   Near the end of the ceremony, all graduates presented a spectacular finale performance, presenting the 24 solar terms through various forms such as drama, music, and dance, combined with different talent performances, winning applause from parents and guests alike. The performance not only demonstrated the students' confidence and vitality but also allowed parents to witness their children's growth throughout their four years at nursery schools.   As the four-year school life comes to an end, HKSPC sincerely wishes each graduate the best on their upcoming new journey. We will continue to create environments where children can explore, discover, and develop their full potential, ensuring every child who comes to HKSPC builds happy memories that last a lifetime.

Our Fund Raising Committee hosted the Summer Cocktail Party at Cardinal Point in Central on June 12, inviting over 80 guests to participate. The event aimed to promote our new brand image while raise funds for our two children and family service centres.   The event featured both live and silent auctions with 46 items generously donated by various corporate sponsors and individuals. Guests enthusiastically bid on the pieces, and some made pledge donations to further support our work.   A total of over $460,000 was raised on the night. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the corporate and individual donors who contributed to this successful fundraiser.

本會一直致力促進幼兒福祉，以成就更和諧幸福的社會。為了讓兒童能盡情自由遊戲，留下更多愉快回憶，保會疫情後首次舉辦大型遊戲日Mega Play Date 2024，今天的活動吸引逾二千名兒童及家長參與。   今次遊戲日的主題是「玩出快樂童年」，透過超過30個親子工作坊和攤位遊戲，例如親子共讀、幼兒運動、充氣彈床、面部彩繪、圖工製作和家長按摩，涵蓋語言、藝術、運動、音樂及感知探索等範疇，讓孩子盡情玩樂，亦鼓勵家庭成員之間互動合作，加強彼此溝通及增進親子關係。   大會邀得油尖旺民政事務專員余健強太平紳士、油尖旺區議會議員李思敏，以及油尖旺區議會議員李家軒，聯同本會執行委員會主席李永誠先生和總幹事周舜宜女士擔任開幕典禮主禮嘉賓，為Mega Play Date揭開序幕。   香港保護兒童會執行委員會主席李永誠先生表示：「保會的使命是為兒童和家庭提供全面照顧和支援，促進幼兒福祉和發展。我們深信兒童有幸福快樂的童年，對他們的長遠發展尤其重要，是整個社會幸福的基礎。今日舉行的大型遊戲日旨在為兒童及家長提供一個可以一起遊玩，增進彼此交流的機會，因爲幸福快樂的童年始於良好的親子關係。」   保會亦趁著今天的活動，向公衆展示過去一年品牌重塑工作的成果。揮別使用了近百年背著小孩、穿木屐的女孩，為新面貌揭幕：一個充滿色彩的笑臉漣漪。李永誠先生說：「新標誌設計的靈感源自在水面向外蕩開的一圈圈漣漪。歡欣的笑臉體現本會讓每個孩子都得到快樂童年的承諾，把兒童福祉放在首位，確保每一個孩子都得到愛與關懷。」   新品牌短語 ──「快樂童年眾幸福」，強調兒童與社會密不可分的關係，因爲社會是由人和家庭組成，而快樂童年是幸福人生的基石。當兒童擁有快樂童年，這份幸福感能促使他們長大後回饋社會，用生命影響生命。   是次品牌重塑計劃反映保會與時並進的精神，持續進步以適應瞬息萬變的社會步伐。保會將繼續與政府和社會各界包括關愛隊、地區組織等緊密合作，一同實踐本會倡導幼兒福祉的使命。