The Preschool Education Environment and Child Development in Western China: Baseline Study

• In Event: 44.085 - Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: 44.085-8 - Early Education and Child Development SIG Poster Session

Abstract

To overcome the limitations in evidence on the efficiency/effectiveness of Western China pre-schooling where the most disadvantaged children live, a baseline study in 5 western counties was conducted on child development, and revealed the gap between rural and urban areas for young children was likely to expand unless more is done to invest in teacher training and improving standards of care. The findings also showed a gap between kindergarten teachers’ level in rural and urban areas.

The study of 442 kindergartens observed children and the family environment and surveyed children's development outcomes and teacher's competence levels. The objectives were to better understand whether children were benefiting from existing programs, barriers to quality early childhood education and to develop recommendations.

Authors

• Margo O'Sullivan

• Xuefeng Chen

• Chunfang Lou

• Yingquan SONG, Peking University

• Bing-Cheng Gao

• Lisa Qin, UNICEF

• Li Wang, Hebei University of Engineering