Abstract: In recent years, preschool education in China has made remarkable progress. However, the gaps among different regions are still wide, and many children still lack access to preschools in the rural areas of western China. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attached great importance to preschool education and develops several important guidelines and measures. During the implementation of Preschool Education Three-Year Action Plan, the provincial authorities in western China have explored and enacted local policies based on the local situation. At the same time, many social organizations also made a lot of useful explorations in rural preschool education development. All the measures have effectively promoted the popularization and quality of preschool education. This report summarizes the current situation and the challenges of preschool education in western China. By sorting out the policies and measures of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, local authorities, and some social organizations as well, this report proposes policy recommendations. This report consists of five parts: (1) the significance of the development of preschool education in western China; (2) the achievements and challenges of preschool education development in western China; (3) the formulation and implementation of preschool education policies and measures; (4) international experience and several projects for preschool education in the rural areas of western China; (5) the policy recommendations for the development of preschool education in western China.

Key words: western China, preschool education, policy, social organizations