An international kindergarten in China is an early years program, usually for children aged about three to six, that teaches mainly in English or another foreign language and follows an international curriculum rather than the national kindergarten framework. Families moving to China typically choose between three options: the early years division of an international school, a private bilingual kindergarten, or a local Chinese kindergarten. The right choice depends on your child’s passport, the language your family wants your child to grow up with, and where you expect your child to continue school after kindergarten.
This guide from Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) explains how kindergarten works in China, what separates one international kindergarten in China from another, and what to ask before you apply.
How Kindergarten Works in China
In China, kindergarten (幼儿园, yòu’éryuán) usually covers three years before primary school, often called the small, middle and large classes, for children from about age three to six. Children then start Grade 1 at around six. Kindergarten is not part of compulsory education, so families choose freely between public, private and international programs.
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See QISS admissions →International schools set their own entry ages and cut-off dates, and many use American grade names such as Pre-K and Kindergarten instead. Our guide to international school age requirements explains how ages map to grades and what happens when a birthday falls close to the cut-off.
Types of International Kindergarten in China
The term “international kindergarten” covers several quite different settings. Knowing which one you are looking at is the first step in comparing them.
The Early Years Division of an International School
Many international schools in China run their own early years program inside a K-12 school. Children move into primary school on the same campus, with the same language of instruction and curriculum family. Schools for the children of foreign residents, such as QISS, generally admit students who hold foreign passports, so eligibility is the first thing to confirm with any school.
Private Bilingual Kindergartens
Private bilingual kindergartens teach in both Chinese and English, often with a foreign teacher and a Chinese teacher in each class. They suit families who want strong Chinese alongside English, but they are usually stand-alone, so families need a separate plan for primary school.
Local Chinese Kindergartens
Local kindergartens follow the national early education guidelines and teach in Chinese. Some expatriate families choose them for full immersion. They offer little English support, which matters if your child will later join an English-medium school.
What to Look For in an International Kindergarten
Once you know which type of setting suits your family, the details of the program matter far more than the building or the brochure.
A Clear, Play-Based Curriculum
Young children learn best through play, projects and conversation, not worksheets. Ask which early learning standards the program follows and how teachers turn them into daily activities. A strong program can describe its units of learning, how it observes each child, and how it reports progress to families.
Language of Instruction and English Support
Many children arrive at an international kindergarten speaking little English. Ask how teachers support new English learners and how quickly children are expected to adjust. Our guide to ELL programs for non-native English speakers explains what good language support looks like.
Continuity Into Primary School
A kindergarten that is part of a K-12 school lets a child continue with the same curriculum, language and community. That continuity matters most for families who expect to stay several years. Our guide to international primary schools in China covers the next stage.
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Early Childhood at QISS
The QISS Early Childhood program is built on the belief that young children learn best when their curiosity is activated through projects, inquiry and play. Teachers listen to and observe children closely to understand each child’s personality and needs, and they build learning around the children’s own questions and interests, an approach often called an emergent curriculum.
The program sets its learning goals using the DC Early Learning Standards, a continuum of goals for children from age two through five. Teachers lead children through four units of inquiry based on those standards, such as “Incredible Me: How I Express Myself and Interact with Others” and “How We Organize Ourselves in Place and Time”.
Children explore through centers, projects, and interactive and free play, and express their ideas through movement, dance, play, emotions and building, which QISS calls the “100 Languages”, an idea drawn from the Reggio Emilia approach. Our article on Reggio Emilia at QISS explains how the school has adapted it. Along the way, children practise sharing, listening, collaborating and communicating their needs, and build social and emotional skills, fine motor skills, and early literacy and number concepts.
Young children are also part of the wider school community. At events such as International Day, families from many countries share food, music and traditions on campus, and the youngest students take part alongside older ones. Our guide to early childhood education at QISS describes a typical day in more detail.
Applying to an International Kindergarten
Admissions processes differ, but most international kindergartens in China ask for similar documents and a visit. At QISS, families apply online through the Open Apply platform, and the application asks for a copy of the passport pages of the applicant and both parents, along with any visas. The application process page lists a non-refundable application fee of RMB 2,000 (US$320). School records and placement tests are required from Grade 2 upwards, and admissions support is available in English, Chinese and Korean. QISS publishes its tuition and fees for every level from Nursery to Grade 12 on its admissions page.
A visit is the best way to judge any kindergarten. Questions worth asking on every tour:
- Which early learning standards does the program follow, and how are they taught through play?
- How do teachers support children who are new to English?
- How does the school report a young child’s progress to parents?
- Does the kindergarten continue into primary school on the same campus?
- Who accredits the school, and what qualifications do early years teachers hold?
Choosing the Right International Kindergarten in China
Choosing an international kindergarten in China is really a choice about the first years of your child’s whole school journey. Start with eligibility and language, then look closely at how the program teaches through play and how it connects to primary school.
If you are considering QISS for your child, we would be glad to show you our Early Childhood classrooms. You can book a campus visit or start your application through our admissions page.
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Start your application →Frequently Asked Questions
What age do children start kindergarten in China?
Chinese kindergartens usually take children from about age three until they start Grade 1 at around six. International schools set their own entry ages and cut-off dates, so check each school’s age chart.
Do international kindergartens teach Chinese?
Many do, but the amount varies widely, from a few lessons a week to a fully bilingual day. Ask each school how much Chinese is taught at the early years level.
Can my child join an international kindergarten without speaking English?
Usually yes. Young children pick up a new language quickly through play, and good programs support new English learners in class. Ask how the school helps children settle in the first months.
How much does an international kindergarten in China cost?
Fees differ a great deal between cities and types of school. QISS publishes its tuition and fees for every level from Nursery to Grade 12 on its admissions page.
Do I need to apply a year in advance?
Not always, but places in popular year groups can fill, and some schools keep a wait list. Contacting the admissions team early gives you the most choice of start date.
