Kindergartens in China: a report into private and state provision in Beijing

Abstract

This report is based upon visits to both private and state kindergartens in Beijing by a group of UK student teachers following an Early Years course. Day visits were made to both types of provision during two visits to China in 2008 and 2010. The whole range of year groups, subject areas, resources and pedagogy were observed. Data was collected through student reflections and logs. Initial findings after the first visit suggested that the Chinese state sector was far superior to the private sector in provision, staff qualifications and pedagogical approaches. However both sectors adopted more didactic approaches to teaching and learning in comparison with the more child-centred playbased approaches to learning in England. During the second visit there was significant change to the pedagogical approaches in both the private and state sectors in China. There was evidence that China’s approach to Early Years education was beginning to reflect similar principles to those adopted in England.