The Kindergarten Registration Certificate (RC), Explained
Applying to a voucher (Kindergarten Education Scheme) kindergarten in Hong Kong means you'll need an EDB Registration Certificate. This guide covers what it is, the September–January timeline, and the one-place rule.
Last updated: 2 June 2026
If you're applying to a Hong Kong kindergarten that takes the voucher (Kindergarten Education Scheme), the school can only admit your child if you hold a valid Registration Certificate (RC, 幼稚園入學註冊證) from the Education Bureau (EDB). It's a separate step that runs alongside applying to the kindergartens themselves — and it catches a lot of first-time parents off guard.
What the RC is
The RC is an EDB-issued document that lets you register and secure a K1 place at a scheme kindergarten. It is not an application to any particular school and it does not affect whether a school offers your child a place — that's decided by each kindergarten's own admission process. The RC is what you hand over when you accept an offer and lock in the place.
For children who aren't eligible for the fee subsidy, the EDB issues an Admission Permit (入學許可書) instead, which serves the same registration purpose without the subsidy.
Who needs one — and who doesn't
| School type | Needs the RC? |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten in the Kindergarten Education Scheme (voucher) | Yes |
| Non-scheme private independent kindergarten | No — own registration |
| International kindergarten | No — own registration |
| Pre-nursery / child care centre (SWD-registered) | No — separate system |
On a school's profile here, look for the "In the Kindergarten Education Scheme (voucher)" note — that tells you the RC flow applies.
The timeline
The cycle runs in the year before your child starts K1. Exact dates shift slightly each year, so always confirm against the EDB's latest notice — the dates below are the 2026/27 cycle as an illustration.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| September–November | Apply to the EDB for the RC. (2026/27 deadline: late November.) |
| September–December | Apply directly to each kindergarten — their own forms, interviews and fees. |
| Mid-December | Kindergartens notify you of results. (2026/27: by 12 December.) |
| Early January | Unified Registration Dates — register your one place using the RC. (2026/27: 8–10 January.) |
The EDB generally takes six to eight weeks to process an RC application, so apply early — leaving it late risks not having the document in hand before the Unified Registration Dates.
The one-place rule
During the Unified Registration Dates, the RC lets you secure only one K1 place. You can apply to — and be offered places by — as many scheme kindergartens as you like, but when you register, you commit to one. This is deliberate: it stops a handful of families holding multiple places and freeing them up only at the last minute.
Fees and subsidy
Scheme kindergartens charge EDB-capped fees: for 2026/27 the application fee is capped at about HK$40, and the registration fee at about HK$970 (half-day) or HK$1,570 (whole-day). Under the scheme, half-day tuition is largely covered by the subsidy, with additional subsidy for whole-day and long-whole-day places. These charges and any "miscellaneous" fees are capped by the EDB — check each school's fee schedule on its profile.
Dates and fees follow the EDB's annual K1 admission arrangements and can change each year. Always confirm the current cycle's figures on the EDB website before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Registration Certificate for every kindergarten?
Can my child hold places at more than one kindergarten?
What if my child isn't eligible for the subsidy?
This guide is for reference only. Policies, points and dates can change each year — always confirm against the latest EDB and individual school announcements.