《关于逐步推行免费学前教育的意见》解读：保育教育费免除政策细节逐步明朗

Policy Overview - The State Council has issued a policy to gradually implement free preschool education, starting from the autumn semester of 2025, exempting public kindergartens from charging care education fees for the last year of preschool[1] - This policy is expected to benefit approximately 12 million children and reduce family education costs by 20 billion yuan in the 2025 autumn semester[1][7] Financial Implications - The financial burden on families will significantly decrease as care education fees constitute a large portion of preschool education expenses[7] - The central government will cover 80%, 60%, and 50% of the care education fee for children in western, central, and eastern regions, respectively[2] Educational Impact - The initiative aims to bridge the resource gap in preschool education between urban and rural areas, ensuring access for vulnerable groups such as migrant and disabled children[1][9] - The policy aligns with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which advocate for at least one year of free, quality preschool education[2] Implementation and Monitoring - Local governments are required to complete preparations by the end of August 2025 to ensure that children can benefit from the policy at the start of the school year[1][7] - The central government will regularly assess the implementation of the policy and adjust financial support standards based on local conditions[8][12] Future Considerations - The policy is seen as a first step towards broader educational reforms, focusing on improving the quality and accessibility of preschool education across different regions[3][10] - The overall enrollment rate for preschool education is projected to continue rising, with the gross enrollment rate reaching 92% by 2024, a significant increase from 2012[11]