China Eases Preschool Costs With New Fee Waiver Policy Starting Autumn 2025

In a significant step aimed at easing the financial burden on families and improving access to early childhood education, China will waive care and education fees for children in public kindergartens during their final year before entering primary school. According to a directive released by the State Council on Tuesday, the policy will take effect in the autumn semester of 2025.

The action is a component of a larger Chinese government initiative to improve public education services and lower the cost of preschool for families nationwide.

Private kindergarten fees also set to drop

As reported by Xinhua, the guideline, released by the General Office of the State Council, also outlines plans to reduce fees for children enrolled in private kindergartens. These reductions will be based on the same amount that local public kindergartens are waiving.

To ensure that kindergartens can continue to operate without disruption, financial departments at all levels will provide subsidies to cover any losses from the new policy. Local governments have been urged to manage and distribute funds efficiently and on time.

Government to offer financial support to schools

The report also urges local governments to implement more support programs that are specific to the needs of their area, particularly for vulnerable populations like low-income children, orphans, and disabled children.

The government hinted that additional modifications to the preschool education policy might be made in the future, contingent on changes in the school-age population and other variables.