Core Viewpoint - The recent notification issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance aims to improve the kindergarten fee policy to better meet the public demand for affordable and quality early childhood education, reduce childcare costs, and enhance the fertility support policy system [1] Group 1: Fee Policy Framework - The notification emphasizes the public welfare nature of preschool education and aims to establish reasonable fee standards, including five specific chargeable items: childcare education fees, accommodation fees, childcare fees for nursery services, service fees, and additional fees [2] - It categorizes fee management methods, with public kindergartens and non-profit private kindergartens following government-guided pricing, while for-profit private kindergartens will have market-regulated pricing for their fees [2] - The principles for setting fee standards are based on costs after deducting government funding and donations, considering local economic conditions, public affordability, market demand, and service types [2] Group 2: Fee Management and Regulation - A directory list system will be established for kindergarten fees, requiring public disclosure of service fees and additional charges, with no fees allowed outside the approved list [3] - Strengthening supervision of fee collection practices is mandated, with requirements for kindergartens to establish sound financial management systems and clear guidelines for fee collection and refunds [3] Group 3: Quality Improvement and Cost Regulation - The notification aims to enhance the quality of public kindergartens by allowing them to set specific fee standards within a government-guided framework, thus encouraging better educational services [4] - It addresses the issue of excessive profit-seeking in for-profit private kindergartens by implementing stricter fee regulations and potential cost investigations to ensure reasonable pricing [4] Group 4: Encouragement of Childcare Services - The notification encourages kindergartens to provide nursery services, addressing the overall shortage of such services while allowing them to set fees based on the cost structure of childcare services [5] Group 5: Addressing Irregular Fee Practices - The notification highlights the existence of irregular fee practices in kindergartens, such as charging for various services through indirect means, and proposes measures to combat these practices [6][7] - It mandates the establishment of a comprehensive fee list for each region, ensuring that kindergartens can only charge for items listed and must publicly disclose their fee structures [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent notification issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance regarding the standardization of kindergarten fee policies, aiming to eliminate irregular charging practices and reduce the financial burden on families [1][3]. Summary by Sections Notification Highlights - The notification introduces flexible government-guided pricing for public kindergartens instead of fixed government pricing, allowing for differentiated pricing in nursery classes to enhance the quality of education and care [1]. - It strictly regulates private kindergarten fees, particularly targeting irregular charges, thereby lowering the cost of childcare education for families [1]. Fee Structure - The notification outlines various fee items for kindergartens, including education fees (保教费), accommodation fees, service fees, and additional charges for nursery classes [2]. - A directory list system is established, requiring local areas and kindergartens to create two lists: one for service and additional fees that can be charged, and another for the specific fees of each kindergarten, which must be publicly disclosed [2]. Addressing Irregular Charges - The notification aims to tackle the root causes of irregular charges by prohibiting fees for items like textbooks and access cards, which are banned by regulatory authorities [5]. - It also forbids charging fees under the guise of transition classes, interest classes, after-school training, and parent-child specialty classes [5]. Fee Management Classification - The notification categorizes fee management for different types of kindergartens, with public and non-profit private kindergartens subject to government-guided pricing, while for-profit private kindergartens can set market-adjusted prices [7]. - The shift from government-fixed pricing to government-guided pricing for public kindergartens allows for slight fee increases to reflect cost and demand changes [7]. Encouragement of Nursery Services - The notification emphasizes the need for kindergartens to provide nursery services, addressing the current shortage of such services nationwide [10]. - It allows kindergartens to set nursery fees based on education fee standards and cost differences, promoting the establishment of nursery classes [10]. Financial Support for Nursery Services - The article mentions that there are approximately 126,000 nursery service institutions in China, with over 6.6 million available spots, but a lack of a long-term financial support system for nursery services remains a challenge [11]. - The proposed nursery service law aims to integrate nursery service development into national economic and social planning, ensuring budget allocation for these services [11].

Core Viewpoint - The National Development and Reform Commission, along with two other departments, has issued a notice to improve the kindergarten fee policy, emphasizing market regulation for profit-oriented private kindergartens and the need for effective supervision to prevent excessive charges [1][2]. Group 1: Fee Structure and Management - Kindergarten fees will include education fees, accommodation fees, service fees, and agency fees, with specific definitions for each type [3]. - Public and non-profit private kindergartens will have their education and accommodation fees regulated by government guidance, while profit-oriented private kindergartens will set fees based on market conditions [4]. - The fee standards for public kindergartens will be managed as administrative charges, with local governments having the authority to set specific rates within defined ranges [4][5]. Group 2: Fee Standard Principles - Fee standards for public and non-profit private kindergartens will be based on a cost audit, considering local economic conditions and community affordability [5]. - Normal operating costs will be included in the fee calculations, while extraordinary costs such as disaster losses will not be considered [6]. Group 3: Policy Evaluation and Optimization - Local development and reform departments will monitor kindergarten fees and conduct regular evaluations of the fee management system, with adjustments made at least every three years [7]. - A directory of service and agency fees will be established, requiring public disclosure to ensure transparency and accountability [8]. Group 4: Regulatory Oversight - Local authorities will guide kindergartens in establishing financial management systems and ensure accurate record-keeping of costs and revenues [9]. - Agreements between kindergartens and parents must clearly outline fee structures and refund policies, prohibiting additional fees under various pretexts [9]. Group 5: Supportive Measures - Local governments are encouraged to align financial support with fee policies to enhance the quality of early childhood education and ensure the sustainability of kindergartens [10]. - Coordination among development, education, and finance departments is essential for the effective implementation of these policies [11]. Group 6: Implementation Timeline - The new fee policy will take effect on January 1, 2026, superseding any previous inconsistent regulations [12].

Core Points - Guangdong province will implement a policy to waive childcare education fees starting from the autumn semester of 2025, covering all eligible children in public kindergartens, regardless of whether they are public or private institutions [1][2] - The policy will also apply to affiliated classes in primary schools, special education schools, children's welfare institutions, and rehabilitation institutions for disabled children [1] - The current fee structure for preschool education for younger classes will remain unchanged [1] Summary by Sections - **Fee Waiver Implementation** - The waiver of childcare education fees will begin in the autumn semester of 2025, affecting all eligible children in the final year of kindergarten [1] - The fee waiver will include children in both urban and rural areas, as well as in public and private kindergartens [1] - **Support for Economically Disadvantaged Groups** - Guangdong will continue to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged children, orphans, and disabled children, with a current subsidy of 1,000 yuan per child per year [2] - The province will maintain a per-student funding policy for public and inclusive private kindergartens, with a minimum standard of 600 yuan per child per year [2] - **Fee Structure Regulations** - The fee waiver standard will be based on the approved fee structure for public kindergartens, excluding meal fees, accommodation fees, and other approved service charges [1] - Private kindergartens may charge families for any fees exceeding the waiver level as per regulations [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is the introduction of a free preschool education policy in China, which aims to alleviate the financial burden on families by eliminating certain fees for public and private kindergartens [1] Group 2 - The policy states that public kindergartens will fully waive the childcare and education fees based on the existing fee standards set by local authorities [1] - For private kindergartens, the fee exemption will be aligned with the level of public kindergartens in the same area, allowing for a reduction in fees [1] - An example provided indicates that if a private kindergarten charges 800 yuan per month, and the local public kindergarten charges 500 yuan, the policy will result in a full exemption of the 500 yuan for children in public kindergartens, while children in private kindergartens will only need to pay the difference of 300 yuan [1]