Group 1 - A significant decline in the number of kindergartens is occurring nationwide, with the total dropping to 253,300 in 2024, a decrease of 21,100 from the previous year [2][5] - The number of children enrolled in kindergartens has also sharply decreased, with a total reduction of 12.34 million over the past five years, representing a decline of over 25%, and a 34% drop in enrollment numbers from 2020 to 2023 [2][9] - The decline in the population of children aged 0-4 has been alarming, with a 31% drop in their proportion from 2011 to 2023, indicating a demographic shift that may lead to further educational disruptions [3][25] Group 2 - The crisis in the kindergarten sector has been anticipated, as traditional birth provinces like Shandong and Guangdong are also experiencing enrollment shortages [3][11] - The number of private kindergartens has decreased from 149,500 in 2023 to 135,500 in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of -9.36%, while public kindergartens have also seen a decline [15] - Financial challenges are prevalent among private kindergartens, with 84% reporting funding shortages, and a significant portion carrying debts exceeding 500,000 yuan [21][22] Group 3 - The root cause of the kindergarten closures is the gradual decrease in the number of eligible children, with a notable decline in birth rates since 2018, leading to a negative population growth [24][28] - The birth rate in China has halved from 13.27‰ in 2011 to 6.39‰ in 2023, contributing to the shrinking pool of children eligible for kindergarten [28] - The top ten provinces experiencing the most significant declines in enrollment are traditional birth provinces, highlighting a broader issue of declining birth rates and its impact on educational institutions [32]

幼儿园的小朋友围坐一起，熟练地点触平板电脑上的互动游戏；四五岁的孩子在家中使用父母手机刷着 短视频……这些生活中常见的场景提醒我们：网络并非成人世界的专属，而是进入了学前儿童的成长图 景。 网络对于学前儿童而言，是新奇的"魔法盒"。不可否认，线上的早教动画、益智小游戏等，能在一定程 度上激发孩子们的认知兴趣。但学前阶段的孩子，处在认知飞速发展、价值观萌芽的关键期，良莠不齐 的网络内容，难免会对其成长造成困扰。比如，许多家长发现孩子在看动画时，会遇到不明所以的复杂 广告、跳转链接。这些超出幼儿理解范畴的画面与信息，就像在搭建积木时混入了形状怪异的零件，当 孩子用纯真的眼光认识世界时，突然出现的干扰会打乱他们的认知逻辑。 电子设备使用的"度"很难把控——这对成年人来说也是个问题，何况学前儿童。有的幼儿园为了吸引孩 子注意力，过度依赖动画教学；有的家长因为"别来烦我"，放任孩子玩手机游戏。这种情况下，短时间 内孩子是安静了，但长期看，可能让孩子变得注意力难集中，对真实的绘本阅读、户外游戏兴趣降低， 沉浸在虚拟画面营造的"快刺激"里，弱化了主动探索、人际互动的能力。这与学前教育倡导的"在真实 体验中成长"背道而驰。 ...

Group 1 - The 2024 National Education Development Statistical Bulletin reveals a total of 470,000 schools in China, including 253,300 kindergartens and 152,800 private schools, continuing a decline of over 10,000 schools since 2023 [1] - In the early childhood education sector, the impact of declining birth rates is evident, with 25,330 kindergartens and 35.84 million children enrolled, reflecting a gross enrollment rate of 92.00% [1] - The number of kindergartens decreased by over 20,000 compared to 2023, with a significant drop in the number of inclusive kindergartens from 236,400 to 221,000, a reduction of more than 15,000 [1] Group 2 - The private education sector is facing challenges due to a continuous decline in birth rates, with the number of private schools decreasing from 167,200 to 152,800, a drop of nearly 15,000 [2] - In 2024, there are 46.22 million students enrolled in private schools, accounting for 16.13% of total enrollment, down from 49.40 million in 2023 [2] - The number of private colleges stands at 803, representing 25.75% of all colleges, with a decrease of over 3 million students compared to the previous year [2] Group 3 - The decline in birth rates and total population is directly impacting the private education sector, leading to a shift from rapid expansion to a focus on sustainable growth and differentiation [3] - The number of special education schools increased to 2,396, with 158,200 students enrolled, indicating a growing coverage and support for special education [3] - The number of special education students rose from 155,000 to 158,200, reflecting an upward trend in special education enrollment [3]

2025.06. 12 而幼儿园在园幼儿数量的减少，会逐渐波及小学、初中、高中以及大学。北京师范大学教育学部高等 教育研究院乔锦忠老师此前在接受媒体采访时介绍，根据其团队模型预测，2035年全国小学、初中 需求数分别为9.28万和4.79万所，较2020年分别减少5.14万和0.38万所。显然，小学受到的影响 比初中要大，这是因为小学在规划时分布更密、服务半径更小，所以总体基数上也更大，而初中辐射 的面积更大一些，存在更多冗余空间。 当然，从趋势来看，未来幼儿园数量减少的态势有望趋缓。这是因为，一方面，从出生人口数量变化 来看，从2021年到2023年，虽然出生人口持续下降，但整体降幅趋缓。2024年，出生人口比2023 年增加52万人。出生人口变化的态势也将影响未来幼儿园数量的变化。 另一方面，在招生难的情况下，很多幼儿园也在探索托幼一体和老幼同养的新模式。尤其是在发展托 育的同时，越来越多的幼儿园改成为养老院。例如，浙江金华一家开办25年的老牌幼儿园，2023年 改造成"社区养老院"。公开报道显示，在金华市婺城区北苑小区，建在小区内的北苑第一幼儿园于 1998年开张，占地4亩左右，到2023年改造前已经经 ...

Core Viewpoint - The decline in birth rates is significantly impacting the number of kindergartens in China, leading to a reduction in both the quantity of kindergartens and the enrollment of children in early education [1][2][3] Group 1: Kindergarten Statistics - As of 2024, there are 253,300 kindergartens in China, with 221,000 being inclusive kindergartens, accounting for 87.26% of the total [1] - The number of children enrolled in preschool education is 35.84 million, with 32.83 million in inclusive kindergartens, representing 91.61% of total enrollment [1] - The number of kindergartens has decreased for three consecutive years, with a reduction of 21,100 from 2023 to 2024, and a total decline of 148,080 from 2022 to 2023 [1][2] Group 2: Future Projections - The decline in kindergarten numbers is expected to affect primary, middle, and high school enrollments, with predictions indicating a decrease in demand for primary and middle schools by 51,400 and 3,800 respectively by 2035 compared to 2020 [2] - Although birth rates have been declining, the rate of decline is slowing, with an expected increase of 520,000 births in 2024 compared to 2023, which may stabilize the number of kindergartens in the future [2] Group 3: Innovative Models - Many kindergartens are exploring new models such as integrating childcare and elderly care, with some transforming into community nursing homes due to declining enrollment [3][4] - The trend of combining childcare and elderly care is gaining traction in various cities, with a significant increase in the elderly population projected to exceed 310 million by the end of 2024 [4] Group 4: Policy Adjustments - Local governments are optimizing educational resource allocation, with initiatives to build new public kindergartens in urban areas while halting new establishments in rural regions [5] - Experts suggest a need for proactive planning and top-level design to address the changes in birth rates and ensure sustainable development of educational institutions [5]

Core Points - The implementation of the "Preschool Education Law of the People's Republic of China" encourages kindergartens to offer childcare services starting from June 1 [1] - The "Sprout Project" in Shanghai's Jing'an District aims to explore the establishment of infant care classes to meet the needs of families with children aged 6 months to 3 years [1][6] Group 1 - The "Beibei Class" at Dongbu Kindergarten provides centralized care services for children aged 6 to 36 months, with options for half-day and full-day attendance [2][3] - A gradual parent accompaniment program is designed to help infants adapt to the new environment, addressing concerns about separation anxiety [4][5] - The Jing'an District plans to pilot this infant care class model across the district, aiming to establish 8 to 10 classes by September, providing over 3,000 childcare spots [6]

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of the "Preschool Education Law" in China encourages kindergartens to offer childcare services, with Shanghai's Jing'an District launching a pilot program for infant care classes to meet the needs of families with children under three years old [1][10]. Group 1: Program Overview - The "Beibei Class" at Dongbu Kindergarten in Jing'an District provides centralized care services for children aged 6 months to 36 months, offering half-day and full-day options for parents [2]. - The program includes various age-specific classes such as "Mengmeng Class" for 6-12 months, "Yayaya Class" for 12-18 months, "Paopao Class" for 18-24 months, and "Diandian Class" for 2-3 years [6]. Group 2: Parental Involvement - The program features a gradual parent accompaniment approach to help children adapt to the new environment, addressing concerns about separation anxiety [4][8]. - Parents can observe their children during the first two weeks of school, allowing them to share specific habits with teachers to facilitate better understanding and care [8]. Group 3: Health and Education Integration - Medical professionals are involved in the program, providing regular health guidance and creating personalized growth records for each child [10]. - The initiative aims to enhance the availability of affordable childcare services, with plans to establish 8 to 10 additional classes by September, providing over 3,000 childcare spots [10].

Group 1 - New regulations related to preschool education, facial recognition technology, and express packaging will be implemented starting in June [1] - The article highlights the importance of these regulations and their potential impact on daily life [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific details on the financial implications or industry analysis related to the mentioned regulations [2][3]

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of the "Preschool Education Law" in China marks a significant advancement in the legal framework governing preschool education, particularly impacting private kindergartens and their operational strategies [1][2]. Group 1: Impact of Preschool Education Law - The law introduces specific regulations for the classification and registration of kindergartens, aiming to eliminate unlicensed institutions and ensure compliance with either profit-oriented or non-profit status [2][3]. - Government support for inclusive private kindergartens is emphasized, with provisions for financial subsidies and tax incentives to promote the development of non-profit institutions [3][4]. - The law mandates that new kindergartens in residential areas must be inclusive, which is expected to reduce educational costs for families [2][3]. Group 2: Quality Standards and Compliance - The law sets clear requirements for both the infrastructure ("hardware") and educational programs ("software") of kindergartens, ensuring safety and quality in operations [3][4]. - It prohibits the adoption of primary school curricula in kindergartens, emphasizing the importance of respecting children's developmental stages and preventing premature academic pressure [6][7]. - The law allows for administrative penalties against non-compliant institutions, enhancing the protection of children's rights and parental interests [4][5]. Group 3: Educational Approach and Family Involvement - The law encourages a play-based learning approach, aligning with children's natural learning processes and promoting their holistic development [7][9]. - Parents are recognized as active participants in their children's education, with legal obligations to support their development and maintain communication with kindergartens [10][11]. - The law promotes the integration of special needs children into mainstream kindergartens, ensuring equitable access to education and support for all children [13]. Group 4: Future Directions for Kindergartens - The changing demographics and declining birth rates necessitate a reevaluation of kindergarten resource allocation and operational strategies [12]. - The law encourages kindergartens to explore additional services, such as daycare programs, to adapt to evolving educational needs [12]. - There is a growing emphasis on developing comprehensive support systems for special needs children, ensuring they receive appropriate educational resources [13].

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of the "Law on Preschool Education" aims to protect children's development rights, standardize preschool education quality, and translate these into specific actions in daily educational practices [2][3]. Group 1: Key Aspects of the Law - The law emphasizes the importance of child safety, prohibiting "primary school-like" teaching, and insisting on the combination of care and education [2][3]. - Article 51 mandates that kindergartens prioritize the protection of preschool children's safety, while Article 52 requires immediate protective measures and reporting to relevant authorities in case of suspected harm [2][3]. - The law sets strict admission criteria for preschool educators, requiring background checks for criminal records and holding kindergarten operators accountable [3][6]. Group 2: Legal Implications and Case Studies - The law clarifies administrative responsibilities in cases of infringement on children's rights, including both criminal and civil cases [4][5]. - A notable civil case involved a child injured during a game due to inadequate safety measures, resulting in the kindergarten being held fully liable for damages [4]. - Another case highlighted the need for kindergartens to fulfill their duty of care, with the court determining liability percentages between the kindergarten and the child's peers [5]. Group 3: Special Considerations for Vulnerable Children - The law requires cross-departmental cooperation to ensure tailored support for special needs children, advocating for a "one case, one plan" approach [7]. - It emphasizes the need for specialized judicial personnel trained in both education and law to ensure effective implementation of the law [7]. - The law also addresses parental responsibilities, urging parents to avoid the misconception of outsourcing education and to remain vigilant regarding their children's well-being [8].