The development of early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies and programs in China
has been closely intertwined with social, economic, and demographic changes. This article
systematically reviews center-based ECEC policies and programs in China and presents the major
trends and implications for future research and policy. The focus of China’s ECEC policy has
shifted from health and custodial care to nurturing and child-centered education since the
economic reforms and the one-child policy were launched in the late 1970s. Empirical data show
that the costs of ECEC services have been continuously increasing. Both the number of children
enrolled and the overall enrolment rates have declined during the late 1990s but they have increased
slightly since 2001. The ECEC programs vary substantially in every regard by urban or rural
residence, type of organization, and region. The quality of center-based ECEC programs in China
is still quite low, indicated by their high child–teacher ratios and low levels of education among
principals and teachers relative to developed countries. Children living in rural areas or less
developed regions and those from low-income families suffer from fewer resources and lower
quality ECEC as compared to their peers. These problems must be addressed by future policy
interventions.