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Is Free Early Childhood Education a Sustainable Solution? Evidence from the Case Study of Nanjing

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Qian

    (Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China)

  • Xiurong Gu

    (Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China)

  • Hui Li

    (Shanghai Institute of Early Childhood Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
    Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia)

Abstract

This case study adopted a mixed methods approach to understanding how and why the free early childhood education (ECE) policy in Nanjing, China, was formulated, implemented, and failed, using the “policy cycle” framework. Many countries have implemented the free ECE policy to solve affordability and accessibility problems without considering policy sustainability; thus, they have to discontinue the policy. Nanjing is no exception. Altogether 232 kindergarten principals and teaching/research staff were randomly sampled and surveyed, and 5 kindergarten principals and 5 teaching/researcher staff were interviewed. The results indicated that there were many obstacles to the policy’s sustainability, including conflict of interest, inefficient policy implementation, insufficient funding, and more social inequality issues. Additionally, the policymakers made mistakes in the five domains of the policy cycle: the context of influence, the context of policy text production, the context of practice, the context of outcomes, and the context of political strategy. Finally, the three important lessons for a more sustainable policy decision process are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Qian & Xiurong Gu & Hui Li, 2022. "Is Free Early Childhood Education a Sustainable Solution? Evidence from the Case Study of Nanjing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6586-:d:826024
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhou, Yu & Jiang, Yong & Zheng, Chuchu & Li, Hui, 2020. "Is puhui kindergarten a panacea for the ‘3A’ problems of early childhood education in China? Evidence from a national validation study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    2. Li, Hui & Lu, Jiaqing, 2018. "Legislation for early childhood education: A case study of China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 32-41.
    3. Isabelle Bouchard & Lydia Cheung & Gail Pacheco, 2021. "Evaluating the impact of 20 hours free early childhood education on mothers’ labour force participation and earnings," New Zealand Economic Papers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(2), pages 188-202, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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