Beijing, August 2025 – The Chinese government will introduce free care and education for children in public kindergartens during the year before primary school enrollment, effective from the autumn semester of 2025, according to a new guideline released by the State Council on Tuesday.
The policy, outlined in a document from the General Office of the State Council, aims to reduce education costs and enhance public education services. For children attending private kindergartens, fees will be subsidized to match the exemption level of local public kindergartens.
To offset financial losses for kindergartens, fiscal departments will provide subsidies. The guideline also urges local governments to tailor additional support—such as for low-income families, orphans, and children with disabilities—based on regional needs.
Fiscal and education authorities must ensure timely and full fund allocation to maintain kindergarten operations. The State Council noted that China will later evaluate expanding free preschool education, considering demographic shifts like changes in the school-age population.
