The 2-Year Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (HDECE) is a pre-service training programme aiming to nurture quality early childhood professionals who will gain all four (4) early childhood education (ECE) qualifications in Hong Kong, eligible to work as Registered Kindergarten Teachers with the Education Bureau (EDB), Child Care Workers/Supervisors and Special Child Care Workers with the Social Welfare Department (SWD).

The HDECE programme also prepares students for YCCECE’s Bachelor’s Degree programme and any ECE-related Bachelor’s Degree programmes at overseas universities.

With effect from 1 September 2021, YCCECE became the first self-financing institution with Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status for the programme area “Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood Education Services” at Higher Diploma level (i.e. QF Level 4) and below for a period up to 31 August 2026 academic year. The PAA status entails YCCECE to self-quality assure its QF Level 4 programmes (and below) without the need for external accreditation.