Taiwan adds low-cost preschool spots for young children

台灣為幼兒增加平價學齡前教保名額

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has about 520,000 affordable preschool places after years of expanding public programs and contracting private preschools under a national low birthrate plan.

The Ministry of Education said public preschools accounted for 267,000 places in the 2025 school year, while quasi-public preschools provided another 253,000, per CNA.

Quasi-public preschools are private schools that sign contracts with the government and cap parents’ monthly fees at NT$3,000 (US$94.72). In the 2025 academic year, 2,096 schools joined the program, which has entered its third phase.

The ministry said enrollment among children aged 2 to 5 reached 86.4% last year, according to the report. The rate for 2-year-olds rose to 64.1%, up from 14.7% in the 2016 academic year, while enrollment among children aged 3 through pre-elementary age reached 93%.

Since the plan began in 2018, local governments have added 3,922 classes and 94,000 places by using existing public spaces. The ministry plans to add another 150 classes and 3,500 places in 2026, per the report.

Officials said future expansion will depend on local demand, with more 2-year-old classes in areas with enough preschool supply and more public preschools in districts that remain short of places.