Early childhood education and care in China: history, current trends and challenges

CITATION

Qi, X. and Melhuish, E.C. (2017) Early childhood education and care in China: history, current trends and challenges, Early Years, Vol.37(3), pp.268-284

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ABSTRACT
This paper reviews the development of early childhood education
and care (ECEC) in China. The historical context from 1900 is
summarised, and then developments from the 1980s up to the
present kindergarten expansion movement, starting in 2010, are
covered in detail. The review shows that ECEC development in China
has undergone great changes both in policy and practice. The clash
between progressive ideas and existing kindergarten practices has
been and remains a challenge. The ‘cultural appropriateness issue’ is
of concern, and there are strong voices for keeping valuable aspects
of Chinese traditional culture. China has put great efforts recently
into boosting kindergarten participation nationwide; yet, there have
been and remain great social economic disparities at various levels.
There is also growing concern that the programme quality cannot
be maintained with the rapid kindergarten expansion process. Policy
development for the childcare sector (0–3) in China is relatively thin
compared to recent booms for kindergartens.


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