On Aug 5, China’s General Office of the State Council issued a new policy to waive tuition fees for the first year of compulsory education in China starting the 2025 school year. This means that K3 kindergarten tuition fees are waived for all kids. But what if your child holds a foreign passport or you’ve already chosen a private kindergarten? Here’s a clear, simple breakdown of how Beijing’s tuition waiver policy works for your child’s final year.
As a parent in Beijing, you’ve likely heard the exciting news: The government is waiving tuition fees for the final year of kindergarten. This initiative is a major part of China’s effort to reduce the cost of raising children and make education more accessible.
But how does it actually work? Who qualifies? And how do you make sure your family benefits?
In simple terms, the Beijing municipal government provides funding to cover the standard tuition fee for children enrolled in their third and final year (K3) at qualifying kindergartens.
It’s crucial to know that this is not a blanket “free kindergarten for all” policy. Its application depends entirely on the type of kindergarten your child attends.
The policy applies to two main types of kindergartens:
1. All Public Kindergartens (公办幼儿园):
If your child is enrolled in a public kindergarten, you are already covered. The government directly funds the school to waive the standard tuition fee for K3 students. You do not need to apply; the fee will simply not appear on your bill.
2. All Government-Designated “Inclusive Private Kindergartens” (普惠性民办幼儿园):
These are privately owned schools that have partnered with the government. They agree to cap their tuition fees at a government-set rate in exchange for subsidies. Most private kindergartens in Beijing fall into this category. For these schools, the government provides a subsidy directly to the kindergarten to offset the cost of K3 tuition.
It’s important to note that the policy doesn’t cover all the costs for K3. The waiver specifically covers the core tuition and does not include meals, boarding, transportation or fees for special extracurricular activities. You will still be responsible for these.
Now, here’s how it’ll affect expat families. The policy is based on legal residency, not nationality, which means even if your child holds a foreign passport but is a legal resident of Beijing (typically on a valid resident permit tied to a parent’s visa) and is admitted to a qualifying public or inclusive private kindergarten, they are entitled to the same fee waiver as Chinese citizens. If the kindergarten is on the list of qualifying schools, then getting the K3 fees waived is simple and automatic. You won’t need to fill out extensive paperwork.
So, how can you find out if your child’s kindergarten is already part of the policy? Here’s how to check:
1. Ask Directly: The simplest method. When you are considering a kindergarten or are already enrolled, ask the administration: “请问咱们幼儿园是普惠园吗？” (“Qǐngwèn zánmen yòu’éryuán shì pǔhuì yuán ma?”).
2. Official Government Lists: The Beijing Municipal Education Commission and individual district education bureaus (区教委) publish official lists of all recognized inclusive private kindergartens. You can search online for “北京市普惠性民办幼儿园名单”(Běijīng shì pǔhuì xìng míngbàn yòu’éryuán míngdān) or for your specific district.
This new policy doesn’t mean that all private kindergartens will be included. If your child attends an international or non-inclusive private kindergarten, this government policy does not apply. These schools operate outside the public funding system and set their own tuition fees for all years.
This policy is a significant benefit for families in Beijing. For the most precise and up-to-date information, always consult your kindergarten administration or the website of your district’s education bureau (区教育局).
Images: Freepik
