China has launched a major initiative to reduce early education costs by rolling out free preschool education in China. The program begins with fee exemptions for the final year of public kindergarten. This new policy helps families prepare children for primary school without added financial stress.
At the same time, private kindergartens will reduce their fees to match local public kindergarten standards. Therefore, families choosing private options will also benefit. In response, local governments will offer direct subsidies to support these private institutions and cover their reduced income.
Additionally, fiscal and education departments will receive guidelines to allocate funds on time. That way, kindergartens can continue running smoothly despite the waived fees. With this plan, free preschool education in China becomes a reliable support system for early learning.
Local authorities will also improve support for vulnerable groups. These include children from low-income households, orphans, and those with disabilities. Each region will adjust its support based on local conditions to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.
According to government sources, this effort represents a key move to ease pressure on young families. Policymakers aim to help families raise children in a more affordable and nurturing environment. As a result, the country expects to build a stronger foundation for long-term social development.
Experts from top education institutes praised this policy shift. Hong Xiumin from Beijing Normal University explained that the program supports the high-quality education system China wants to build. Similarly, Gao Bingcheng from the China National Academy of Educational Sciences noted the effort will promote fairness and reduce education inequality.
In addition to this preschool initiative, the government has announced a new national childcare subsidy. Each family will receive 3,600 yuan per year for every child under three years old. These funds will not count toward taxable income or affect access to welfare assistance.
This support reaches over 20 million families and aims to ease the country’s demographic challenges. With fewer births and a growing elderly population, China is taking bold steps to promote a birth-friendly society. Policies now focus on education, healthcare, workplace balance, and child-raising support.
Because of these reforms, free preschool education in China plays a key role in strengthening families and boosting the nation’s future. More families will now gain access to affordable care and quality learning opportunities for their children.
