Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news

The three-year pre-school education plan, issued in written form by Shanghai Municipal government spokeswoman Jiao Yang yesterday, aims to allocate the city's pre-school educational resources in a reasonable way, improve conditions of local kindergartens and satisfy citizens' diversified demands.

Jiao’s brief on the local pre-school education situation: Shanghai has formed a pre-school educational system for kids aged 0 to 6, covering both public and private kindergartens. The city has boasted a group of quality pre-school educational institutions, with a batch of highly-qualified teachers.

Rapid economic growth and a new round of baby booms have driven up the demand for pre-schools.
The three-year pre-school education plan, set goals:

Firstly, more than 98 percent of children that are registered as permanent residence or residence permit should receive a three-year pre-school education, and parents and caregivers of those aged below three years should receive quality guidance and training more than four times a year.

Secondly, construction of kindergartens should meet certain requirements.

Thirdly, more than 85 percent of kindergarten teachers should have at least an associate degree, with 20 percent having at least a Bachelor's degree.

Fourthly, the number of students in every kindergarten class should be below a set limit.

Fifthly, a diversified and active pres-school educational system should be formed, with more than 80 percent of local kindergartens seeing improved quality.

Sixthly, kids should be taught good qualities such as etiquette, curiosity, bravery, confidence and responsibility.

All the government departments are required to boost the development of pre-school educations, which is an important part of the city's fundamental education system, Jiao said.