Research Article

Comparative Study of Preschool Education Between China and the UK: Differences in Models, Cultural Logic, and Integration Paths

Yanghuizi LiuTianjin Communication University* Shuohan ZhaoJimei University

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

With the deepening of global educational reforms, preschool education, as the foundational stage for an individual's lifelong development, has been receiving increasing attention concerning its quality and models. China and the United Kingdom have developed locally distinctive educational models and practice systems in preschool education. This study aims to systematically compare preschool education in China and the UK in terms of policy orientation, curriculum implementation, teacher roles, and home-school collaboration, analyze the underlying cultural and social factors, and explore their impact on the holistic development of children. The research finds that Chinese preschool education emphasizes collectivism and knowledge transmission, focusing on standardization and uniformity; in contrast, the UK places more emphasis on individual differences and play-oriented approaches, advocating child-centered learning and autonomous exploration. Based on these findings, this paper proposes integrated recommendations to promote the comprehensive development of preschool education, including curriculum integration, teacher professional development, and home-school collaboration, to provide a reference for preschool education reform in China.

Keywords: Preschool Education Models; China-UK Comparison; Child Development; Curriculum System; Teacher Roles
Published: February 24, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.BJ31911
Volume: CHR Vol.101
pp. 172-179
Download PDF

References

  1. UNESCO. (2021). Global partnership strategy for early childhood (2021–2030). UNESCO.
  2. State Council. (2018). Several opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on deepening reform and standardizing the development of preschool education. People's Publishing House.
  3. Department for Education. (2023). Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage: Setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five.
  4. Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. (2025, May 16). Promoting the popularization, inclusiveness, safety, and high-quality development of preschool education. Ministry of Education Government Portal News Conference. http: //www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/xw_fbh/moe_2606/2024/0516/cailiao/202405/t20240516_1130904.html
  5. Wang, Y., & Li, J. (2023). The impact of structured early childhood cognitive enlightenment on primary school adaptation. Studies in Early Childhood Education, 12, 37–49.
  6. Zhang, H., & Chen, Y. (2024). Integration of traditional culture into preschool moral education: Practice and effect. Journal of Preschool Education Research, 8, 53–65.
  7. Chen, L., & Liu, M. (2025, September 8). Governance dilemmas and breakthrough paths of the "primary schoolization" tendency in preschool education. Chenzhou News Network. https: //www.czxww.cn/content/2025-09/08/content_1391506.html
  8. Zhao, Q., & Wu, S. (2022). Regional balance of preschool education resources in China: Status and optimization. Educational Development Research, 42(18), 29–36.
  9. Sun, J., & Zheng, H. (2024). Professional development of preschool teachers in the background of high-quality development. Journal of Educational Theory and Practice, 34(24), 56–60.
  10. Zhou, F., & Xu, L. (2025). Parental educational anxiety and its impact on preschool education orientation. Sociological Studies of Education, 6, 41–48.
  11. Crowe, A. (2021). Early childhood education in China: A cross-cultural perspective. Springer.
  12. Wood, E., & Hedges, H. (2025). Curriculum in early childhood education: Global policy discourses and country‐level responses in Aotearoa New Zealand and England. The Curriculum Journal, 36(1), 147–163.
  13. Wang, W. (2021). The characteristics of preschool mathematics education in the United Kingdom and its inspiration. In Proceedings of the 6th Annual International Conference on Social Science and Contemporary Humanity Development (SSCHD 2020) (pp. 321–325). Atlantis Press.
  14. Zhang, Q., Wu, M., Sun, Z., Xu, X., & Lei, H. (2025). Research on the game-based approach of labor education curriculum in kindergartens under the background of high-quality development. Education Progress, 15(10), 192–199.
  15. Wang, X. (2025). Cultivation strategies for the social development of preschool children. Education Theory and Research, 1(3), 45–52.
  16. Carter, J. (2022). The importance of implementing EYFS principles as a whole school. In Early Years Essentials (pp. 183–195). Routledge.
  17. China-ASEAN Collaborative Innovation Development Center for Preschool Education. (2025). Localization practice of EYFS and strategies for improving teacher-child interaction quality. Guangxi News Network.