This year the Yew Chung Education Foundation celebrates its 70th year. The school ('Yew Chung' means to 'glorify China') was founded by Madame Tsang Chor-hang, who wished to spread the word about China through education.
From two students in the beginning, the foundation has expanded to include four schools in Hong Kong and China, and one in the United States. In Hong Kong, about 700 pre-school children attend classes across four campuses.
The foundation's original motto - 'diligence, thrift, modesty and honesty' - may sound a tad old-fashioned, but it does apply to a curriculum that encompasses modern society and the impact of globalisation. Language skills, technological advances and cultural diversity are integrated in the curriculum.
Helen Jackson, Western Co-Principal of the Early Childhood Section in Hong Kong, says the school has an advantage over other international schools because it 'enhances children's cultural perspectives by acknowledging their mother tongue, which is usually Cantonese'.
Most of the children attending Yew Chung are Hong Kong Chinese, although many hold international passports.
In the 1970s, Madame Tsang's daughter took over the duties of running the school. She was one of the first people to introduce the concept of early education to Hong Kong. The foundation's Early Childhood Education (ECE) programmes cater to children as young as six months and up to six years.
Children are separated into infant and toddler and romper learning programmes, and a two-level - mainstream and international - kindergarten. Rather than focusing on specific skills, the school bases its teaching philosophy on positive interaction and participation, Ms Jackson says.