免费学前教育后，高价幼儿园寻出路

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming implementation of free preschool education policy is expected to significantly impact the preschool education sector, particularly affecting private kindergartens as public kindergartens will have their childcare fees waived starting from the fall semester of 2025 [2][3][4]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education have revised the funding management measures to support preschool education development, focusing on improving quality and implementing free childcare education fees [1]. - Starting from the fall semester of 2025, public kindergartens will waive childcare fees for children in their final year, which is anticipated to benefit around 12 million children [4][6]. - The total financial investment for this policy is estimated to be around 20 billion yuan, with an average subsidy of approximately 1,700 yuan per child for the semester [6]. Group 2: Impact on Private Kindergartens - The introduction of free education policies, combined with a declining enrollment in kindergartens, is reshaping the competitive landscape for private kindergartens, particularly those with higher tuition fees [3][4]. - The number of private kindergartens has decreased from 173,200 in 2019 to 135,500 in 2024, with a corresponding drop in enrolled children from 26.49 million to 15.08 million [7]. - High-end private kindergartens are exploring strategies to adapt, such as lowering the age for enrollment to attract younger children, as there is a significant demand for childcare services among families with children under three [8][9]. Group 3: Quality and Competition - The competition between public and private kindergartens is expected to intensify, as public kindergartens will have lower fees, prompting parents to prefer them over private options [5][6]. - The average number of children per teacher in kindergartens has improved, which may enhance teaching quality, but also raises concerns about the financial sustainability of private institutions [10]. - Some high-end kindergartens are focusing on specialized curricula to attract affluent families, indicating a potential shift towards more differentiated educational offerings [12].