Public and Quasi-Public Kindergartens to Offer 520,000 Affordable Childcare Spots
Taiwan's Ministry of Education announced on the 20th that its "Low Fertility Rate Plan," launched in 2018, has shown significant results. By increasing the number of public kindergartens and implementing a quasi-public mechanism with private ones, the number of affordable childcare spots will reach 520,000 by the 2026 school year, greatly expanding choices for parents and significantly boosting enrollment rates for children aged 2 to 5.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 12:10
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(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Chen Chih-chung) The Ministry of Education (MOE) stated today that the "Low Fertility Rate Plan," implemented since 2018, has increased the number of affordable childcare spots to 520,000 for the 2026 school year through the establishment of more public kindergartens and a quasi-public mechanism of contracting with private kindergartens, thereby greatly increasing parents' options.
In a press release issued today, the MOE pointed out that the "Low Fertility Rate Plan" focuses on expanding the supply of public childcare services (public kindergartens, non-profit kindergartens), allowing county and city governments to inventory and utilize existing spaces. By the end of 2025, a cumulative total of 3,922 classes and 94,000 enrollment spots will have been added. In 2026, an additional 150 classes are planned, which will add another 3,500 spots.
Due to significant variations in kindergarten situations across counties and cities, the MOE has recently adjusted its strategy based on the birth population in each administrative district. In areas with an adequate supply of childcare, local governments are encouraged to convert classes for 3- to 5-year-olds into specialized classes for 2-year-olds.
For administrative districts where supply is still insufficient, the government will continue to establish more public kindergartens, prioritizing assistance to elementary schools that already have infant care centers to set up kindergartens, and will continue to encourage various ministries to establish workplace childcare facilities.
As a policy supplement, the government contracts with private kindergartens to establish "quasi-public kindergartens," allowing parents to pay no more than NT$3,000 per month. This program has entered its third phase, with 2,096 kindergartens contracted for the 2025 school year, providing 253,000 spots.
The number of spots in public kindergartens for the 2025 school year will reach 267,000. Combined with quasi-public kindergartens (253,000 spots), the total number of affordable enrollment spots will reach approximately 520,000. The average enrollment rate for children aged 2 to 5 in the 2025 school year has already reached 86.4%. Notably, the enrollment rate for 2-year-olds has surged from 14.7% in the 2016 school year to 64.1% in the 2025 school year, while the enrollment rate for children from age 3 to pre-elementary school has reached 93%. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan) 1150520
In a press release issued today, the MOE pointed out that the "Low Fertility Rate Plan" focuses on expanding the supply of public childcare services (public kindergartens, non-profit kindergartens), allowing county and city governments to inventory and utilize existing spaces. By the end of 2025, a cumulative total of 3,922 classes and 94,000 enrollment spots will have been added. In 2026, an additional 150 classes are planned, which will add another 3,500 spots.
Due to significant variations in kindergarten situations across counties and cities, the MOE has recently adjusted its strategy based on the birth population in each administrative district. In areas with an adequate supply of childcare, local governments are encouraged to convert classes for 3- to 5-year-olds into specialized classes for 2-year-olds.
For administrative districts where supply is still insufficient, the government will continue to establish more public kindergartens, prioritizing assistance to elementary schools that already have infant care centers to set up kindergartens, and will continue to encourage various ministries to establish workplace childcare facilities.
As a policy supplement, the government contracts with private kindergartens to establish "quasi-public kindergartens," allowing parents to pay no more than NT$3,000 per month. This program has entered its third phase, with 2,096 kindergartens contracted for the 2025 school year, providing 253,000 spots.
The number of spots in public kindergartens for the 2025 school year will reach 267,000. Combined with quasi-public kindergartens (253,000 spots), the total number of affordable enrollment spots will reach approximately 520,000. The average enrollment rate for children aged 2 to 5 in the 2025 school year has already reached 86.4%. Notably, the enrollment rate for 2-year-olds has surged from 14.7% in the 2016 school year to 64.1% in the 2025 school year, while the enrollment rate for children from age 3 to pre-elementary school has reached 93%. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan) 1150520