Preschool education refers to the education of preschool children, so fetal schools, nurseries, kindergartens, preschool classes, welfare homes and SOS International Children's Village are all preschool education institutions.

At the beginning of the 20th century, some kindergartens were established in various places. China's theory of preschool education and the implementation of kindergartens were first imitated from Japan, and later learned from Europe and America, which was greatly influenced by the church. At that time, some educators devoted themselves to researching and establishing preschool education suitable for China's national conditions. Among them, Chen Heqin founded Nanjing Gulou Kindergarten, and made an experimental study on the curriculum, teaching materials, teaching methods and equipment of the kindergarten.