新华视点丨逐步推行免费学前教育，进展成效怎么样？

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is gradually implementing free preschool education, starting from the autumn semester of 2025, which aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and promote educational equity [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Impact - The exemption of preschool education fees for the last year of kindergarten is projected to reduce family expenses by 20 billion yuan in just one semester, benefiting approximately 12 million children [2]. - Local governments are quickly formulating plans to implement the policy, ensuring that financial support for kindergartens remains intact despite the fee exemptions [2][4]. Group 2: Implementation and Quality Assurance - Ensuring that the quality of preschool education is maintained while fees are waived is crucial, with timely financial support being a key concern for many kindergartens [4]. - The government will provide financial subsidies to kindergartens that experience reduced income due to the fee exemptions, with funding sourced from both central and local finances [4]. Group 3: Resource Allocation and Development - Some regions are enhancing preschool education resources through hardware upgrades and resource sharing, addressing disparities in educational access [5][6]. - In areas like Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, local initiatives have been established to ensure that all eligible children can access preschool education, significantly improving language skills among children [6]. Group 4: Support for Childcare Systems - There is a call for strengthening the inclusive childcare system to alleviate parents' concerns, with suggestions to expand affordable childcare options linked to existing kindergartens [7]. - The childcare sector faces challenges such as low salaries and high turnover rates, which hinder its development, prompting calls for better support and recognition of professional childcare services [8].