Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, has announced a significant policy change in early childhood education. Starting from the fall semester of this year, childcare and education fees will be waived for children in the senior class of kindergartens, encompassing both public and private institutions across urban and rural areas. This initiative, unveiled by the city’s education bureau on Tuesday, marks a progressive step in the rollout of free preschool education. While the policy currently applies only to senior class students, fees for junior and middle classes will remain unchanged, adhering to existing regulations. For private kindergartens approved by the education department, fees will be adjusted to align with the exemption levels of public counterparts, though families may still be required to cover any additional costs beyond the standard exemption. Public full-time regular kindergartens in Guangzhou currently charge 823 yuan ($115.9) per student monthly, while demonstration kindergartens charge 995 yuan. Public boarding kindergartens, on the other hand, impose fees 30% higher than the full-time standard. This policy aims to alleviate financial burdens on families while promoting equitable access to quality early education.