Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Early Childhood Education Policies in Asia Pacific pp 31–50Cite as

A Critical Analysis of the Changing Landscape of Early Childhood Education in Mainland China: History, Policies, Progress, and Future Development

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((EDAP,volume 35))

Abstract

China’s ‘reform and opening-up’ policy initiated in 1978 has ushered the country into rapid economic development. Early childhood education (ECE) has also subsequently entered a period of monumental development. In this chapter, using the ‘3A2S’ framework (Li et al. Int J Chin Educ 3(2):161–170, 2014), we analyse the development and implementation of ECE policies in China within the last four decades, examining particularly Phase I (2011–2013) and Phase II (2014–2016) of the Three-Year Action Plan. Analyses of national data from statistical reports and official agencies indicate that (1) the supply of kindergartens is soaring, but the accessibility problem still persists, especially in destitute areas and for those from disadvantaged backgrounds; (2) funding support for ECE is increasing, but is still not sufficient enough; (3) the government has intensified its involvement in ECE, but objective monitoring and assessment mechanisms have yet to be established; (4) the Three-Year Action Plan has been implemented to enhance sustainability of ECE; and (5) efforts have been made to address educational equality for young children from vulnerable circumstances. These findings collectively suggest that the government is improving accessibility, affordability, accountability, sustainability, and social justice of ECE, but more work is needed to achieve a better and stronger ECE system in China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Chen, W. G. (Ed.). (2008). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2007 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2007]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, W. G. (Ed.). (2009). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2008 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2008]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, W. G. (Ed.). (2010). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2009 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2009]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, W. G. (Ed.). (2011). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2010 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2010]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, W. G. (Ed.). (2012). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2011 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2011]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • China Statistical Yearbook. (2015). Age composition and dependency ratio of population. Retrieved from http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2015/indexeh.htm

  • Chinese Radio Network. (2010a, August 13). 剬办园靠面子私立园靠票子 孩子入园难倒 家长 [Entrance to public kindergartens needs power and entrance to private Kindergartens needs money]. Retrieved from http://baby.ifeng.com/yuer/zaojiao/youjiao/content-1/detail_2010_08/13/1946951_0.shtml

  • Chinese Radio Network. (2010b, August 17). 幼儿园入园难将至少持续五年 入托难难于 上大学 [The problem of accessibility in kindergartens will last at least 5 years: More difficult than college admission]. Retrieved from http://baby.ifeng.com/yuer/zaojiao/youjiao/content-1/detail_2010_08/16/1962022_0.shtml

  • General Office of the State Council. (2010a, May 6). 国务院常务会通过中长期教育改革和发展规划纲要 [State Council executive meeting voted for the National Medium- and Long-Term Plan for Education Reform and Development]. Retrieved from http://www.gov.cn/ldhd/2010-05/06/content_1600544.htm

  • General Office of the State Council. (2010b, November 24). 国务院关于当前发展学前教育的若干意见 [The several opinions on the current development of early childhood education of State Council]. Retrieved from http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2010-11/24/content_1752377.htm

  • Han, J. (Ed.). (2005). 中国教育统计年鉴 2004 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2004]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J. (Ed.). (2006). 中国教育统计年鉴 2005 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2005]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J. (Ed.). (2007). 中国教育统计年鉴 2006 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2006]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J. (Ed.). (2008). 中国教育统计年鉴 2007 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2007]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J. (Ed.). (2009). 中国教育统计年鉴 2008 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2008]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J. (Ed.). (2010). 中国教育统计年鉴 2009 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2009]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • He, D. C. (Ed.). (1998). 中华人民共和国重要教育文献 1949~1997 [The Important educational literature of the People’s Republic of China, 1949–1997]. Haikou: Hainan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, B. Y., & Li, K. (2012). The quality rating system of Chinese preschool education: Prospects and challenges. Childhood Education, 88(1), 14–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, C. B. (Ed.). (2000). 中国教育统计年鉴 1999 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 1999]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Li, P. (2003). Lessons from implanting Reggio Emilia and Montessori curriculum in China (in Chinese). Preschool Education, 9, 4–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Wang, D. (2014). Understanding the 15-year free education policies in China: An online study of four cases. International Journal of Chinese Education, 3(2), 250–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Wang, D., & Fong, R. W. (2014). Editor’s note – Sound bites won’t work: Case studies of 15-year free education in Greater China. International Journal of Chinese Education, 3(2), 161–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D. W., & Li, Y. S. (2012). 中国教育年鉴 2012 [China education yearbook 2012]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education. (2012a, February 12). 教育部关于印发 《学前教育督导评估暂行办法》的通知 [The announcement issued by the Ministry of Education about the interim measures for early childhood education supervision and evaluation]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s6500/201205/xxgk_136728.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2012b, September 3). ‘十二五’重大教育政策及名词解释:中央财政 支持学前教育发展重大项目 [‘Twelfth five-year’ major education policy and noun explanation: The central government supporting the development of early childhood education major projects]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s6811/201209/141496.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2014a, February 26). 新春新闻发布会散发材料一:学前教育三年行动计划新闻发布会介绍材料 [The first leaflet distributed at the New Year press conference: The leaflet about the Three-Year Action Plan for early childhood education press conference]. Retrieved from: http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s7881/201402/164609.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2014b, June 4). 学前教育财政投入五年间增 5 倍—教育部有关负责人就学前教育财政投入答记者问 [Financial investment in early childhood education has increased by five times in five years— Ministry of Education spokesperson’s responses to questions asked by reporters concerning financial investment in early childhood education]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s271/201406/169763.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2014c). 2013 年教育统计数据 [Educational Statistics in 2013]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s8492/index.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2014d, November 15). Joint Statement of the Ministry of Education, National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Finance. 教育部 国家发展改革委 财政部关于实施第二期学前教育三年行动计划的意见 [The opinions about the implementation of the second phase of the Three-Year Action Plan for early childhood education by the Ministry of Education, National, Development, and Reform Commission and Ministry of Finance]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.edu.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s3327/201411/178318.html

  • Ministry of Education. (2014e, November 15). 教育部基础教育二司负责人就 《关于实施第二期学前教育三年行动计划》答记者问 [The responses from the Head of the Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education to questions asked by reporters concerning the implementation of the second phase of the Three-Year Action Plan for early childhood education]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s271/201411/178314.html

  • Mu, Y. C. (Ed.). (2001). 中国教育统计年鉴 2000 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2000]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu, Y. C. (Ed.). (2002). 中国教育统计年鉴 2001 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2001]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu, Y. C. (Ed.). (2003). 中国教育统计年鉴 2002 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2002]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu, Y. C. (Ed.). (2004). 中国教育统计年鉴 2003 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2003]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2005). 中国人口统计年鉴 2005 [China Population Statistics Yearbook 2005]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2006). 中国人口统计年鉴 2006 [China Population Statistics Yearbook 2006]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2007). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2007 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2007]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2008). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2008 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2008]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2009). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2009 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2009]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2010). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2010 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2010]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2012a). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2011 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2011]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2012b). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2012 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2012]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Employment Statistics. (2013). 中国人口和就业统计年鉴 2013 [China Population and Employment Statistics Yearbook 2013]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Social, Science and Technology Statistics. (2001). 中国人口统计年鉴 2001 [China Population Statistics Yearbook 2001]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Social, Science and Technology Statistics. (2002). 中国人口统计年鉴 2002 [China Population Statistics Yearbook 2002]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Social, Science and Technology Statistics. (2003). 中国人口统计年鉴 2003 [China Population Statistics Yearbook 2003]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics, Department of Population and Social, Science and Technology Statistics. (2004). 中国人口统计年鉴 2004 [China Population Statistics Yearbook 2004]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of National Education Inspectorate. (2012, May 10). 教育部督导办负责人就 《强化督导问责制度办好人民满意教育》答记者问 [Office of Ministry of Education spokesperson’s responses to questions asked by reporters concerning strengthening the supervision system of accountability so that citizens would be satisfied with education]. Retrieved from http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s271/201407/171720.html

  • Pang, L. J. & Feng, J. Y. (2014). 学前教育剬共服务分类与 ‘一主多元’ 供给机制设计 [Early childhood education public service classification and ‘one main pluralistic’ supply mechanism design]. 中国教育学刊 [Journal of the Chinese Society of Education], 7, 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pang, L. J., & Hong, X. M. (Eds.). (2012). 2011 中国学前教育发展报告 [Report about China’s development of early childhood education in 2011]. Beijing: Beijing Normal University Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheng, L. Y. (Ed.). (2014). 中国统计年鉴 2007 [China Statistical Yearbook 2014]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen, J. B. (2011, March 15). 温家宝在十一届人大四次会议上所作政府工作报告 (The government’s work report made by Premier Wen Jiabao at the fourth session of the Eleventh National People’s Congress Conference]. Retrieved from http://www.gov.cn/2011lh/content_1825233.htm

  • Wu, G. S. (Ed.). (2013). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2012 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2012]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H. Z. (Ed.). (2011). 中国教育统计年鉴 2010 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2010]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H. Z. (Ed.). (2013a). 中国教育统计年鉴 2011 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2011]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H. Z. (Ed.). (2013b). 中国教育统计年鉴 2012 [Educational Statistical Yearbook of China 2012]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2001a). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2000 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2000]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2001b). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2001 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2001]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2003). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2002 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2002]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2004). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2003 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2003]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2005). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2004 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2004]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2006). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2005 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2005]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. F. (Ed.). (2007). 中国教育经费统计年鉴 2006 [China Educational Finance Statistical Yearbook 2006]. Beijing: China Statistics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X. D. (2006). 我国幼儿教育由单位福利到多元化供给的变迁 (Changes concerning our country’s early childhood education from organization-run welfare to diversified funding sources). 北京师范大学学报[社会科学版] [Journal of Beijing Normal University [Social Sciences]], 2, 11–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X. D., & Fan, X. (2009). 如何看待城镇剬办幼儿园 [How should we view urban public kindergartens]. 幼儿教育 [教育科学] [Early Childhood Education [Educational Sciences]], 15, 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, S. S. (2004). 中国教育年鉴 2004 [China Education Yearbook 2004]. Beijing: People’s Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, J. (2010, December). Curriculum implementation challenges and strategies in China. Presentation at the 8th meeting of the OECD Network on Early Childhood Education and Care. Paris.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

    Xiumin Hong

  2. Kean University, Union, NJ, USA

    Jennifer J. Chen

Authors
  1. Xiumin Hong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jennifer J. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiumin Hong .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

    Hui Li

  2. Department of Early Childhood Education, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)

    Eunhye Park

  3. Department of Early Childhood and Family Studies, Kean University , New Jersey, USA

    Jennifer J. Chen

Appendix: Full Names of Terms and Their Acronyms

Appendix: Full Names of Terms and Their Acronyms

Full names

Acronyms

Early childhood education

ECE

Educational Statistical Yearbook of China

ESYOC

General Office of the State Council

GOSC

Ministry of Education

MoE

National Medium- and Long-term Outline for Education Reform and Development

National Education Reform

The State Council’s Several Opinions on the Current Development of ECE

Opinions on the Current Development of ECE

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hong, X., Chen, J.J. (2017). A Critical Analysis of the Changing Landscape of Early Childhood Education in Mainland China: History, Policies, Progress, and Future Development. In: Li, H., Park, E., Chen, J. (eds) Early Childhood Education Policies in Asia Pacific. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 35. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1528-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1528-1_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-1526-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-1528-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation