{"id":52505,"date":"2026-08-28T11:23:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T03:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.china-aid.com\/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e7%b1%bb\/cctv-news-kindergartens-converted-into-nursing-homes-multiple-regions-explore-new-uses-for-idle-campus-facilities.html"},"modified":"2026-08-28T11:23:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T03:23:24","slug":"cctv-news-kindergartens-converted-into-nursing-homes-multiple-regions-explore-new-uses-for-idle-campus-facilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.china-aid.com\/en\/industry-news-en\/cctv-news-kindergartens-converted-into-nursing-homes-multiple-regions-explore-new-uses-for-idle-campus-facilities.html","title":{"rendered":"CCTV News: Kindergartens converted into nursing homes, multiple regions explore new uses for idle campus facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

According to data released by the Ministry of Education, the number of kindergartens nationwide in 2025 decreased by 21,400 compared to 2024, and the number of children in kindergartens decreased by 3.5847 million;<\/span>At the other end, by the end of 2025, the population aged 60 and above has exceeded 320 million.<\/span><\/span>Between this ‘one decrease and one increase,’ a spatial relay from ‘children’s paradise’ to ‘elderly care nest’ is quietly unfolding across the country. Let’s visit Tianqiao District in Jinan, Shandong, to explore this transformation in practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the Sanjiaoxian Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center on Baohua Street, Tianqiao District, Jinan City, Shandong Province, elderly people are doing exercises and singing along to music. This single-story courtyard was originally a private kindergarten with a history of more than 30 years. As the population structure of the old urban area evolved and surrounding public kindergartens were gradually built and put into operation, enrollment at this private kindergarten continued to shrink. By the end of 2024, it faced closure, and the site was about to become idle. Meanwhile, elderly people aged 60 and above account for as much as 38% of the Sanjiaoxian community population, making the demand for nearby elderly care services extremely urgent.<\/p>\n

\"\"At the Sanjiaoxian Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center on Baohua Street, Tianqiao District, Jinan City, Shandong Province, elderly people are doing exercises and singing along to music. This single-story courtyard was originally a private kindergarten with a history of more than 30 years. As the population structure of the old urban area evolved and surrounding public kindergartens were gradually built and put into operation, enrollment at this private kindergarten continued to shrink. By the end of 2024, it faced closure, and the site was about to become idle. Meanwhile, elderly people aged 60 and above account for as much as 38% of the Sanjiaoxian community population, making the demand for nearby elderly care services extremely urgent.<\/p>\n

Based on thorough research, the sub-district office, leveraging the building’s own advantages, launched the transformation exploration of ‘converting kindergartens into elderly care facilities.’ Gong Chengkun has been providing doorstep elderly care services for more than ten years and operates over 20 community elderly care projects in Jinan. This project caught his eye.<\/p>\n

\"\"Gong Chengkun, operator of the Sanjiaoxian Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center on Baohua Street, Tianqiao District, Jinan City:<\/strong>The single-story courtyard is down-to-earth and comfortable, which is the kind of elderly care facility we dream of. The sub-district office gave us great support, with nearly 400,000 yuan in construction subsidies. If we can be rated as a three-star facility, we can also receive 100,000 yuan in subsidies every year. We also get residential rates for water and electricity, plus tax subsidies, which greatly reduces a large portion of our costs.<\/p>\n

Reporters observed that after the renovation, the elderly care service center is equipped with accessible handrails everywhere, and a dedicated accessible shower room has been set up. The fire protection system has also been upgraded to a higher standard for elderly care institutions. For elderly people with cognitive impairment, a cognitive training activity room has been specially designated. The former children’s kitchen has been transformed into a senior canteen after facility upgrades, providing on-site dining for residents and meal delivery services for the community.<\/p>\n

Now, the elderly care service center has more than 40 long-term care beds, and within six months of opening, the occupancy rate has reached 80%. For long-term care, fees range from 4,000 to 5,000 yuan depending on the elderly person’s physical condition. It also offers diversified services such as day care, short-term rehabilitation, a senior canteen, in-home bathing assistance, and meal delivery with medical accompaniment. The affordable embedded elderly care at the doorstep has led many seniors to choose to spend their later years here.<\/p>\n

\"\"Beyond the iteration of spatial functions, the transformation of people is equally touching. Some early childhood educators who once cared for children chose to stay and found new professional value.<\/p>\n

Zhang Aidong, Director of the Triangle Line Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center, Baohua Street, Tianqiao District, Jinan:<\/strong>I was originally the director of this kindergarten, and now I am the head of the nursing home. I am very happy in my work. I feel that my mindset is basically the same as before, and the residents are all very pleased, saying, ‘You helped raise my children, and now you are taking care of my elderly parents.’ I have also promised them that they can rest assured about the care of the elderly, and the seniors from the surrounding area feel very secure coming here.<\/p>\n

Zhang Yan, Assistant Director of the Triangle Line Comprehensive Elderly Care Service Center, Baohua Street, Tianqiao District, Jinan:<\/strong>I have learned a lot about changing diapers for the elderly, cleaning, nursing skills, and basic medical care. Everyone works together as one, and we gradually improve. The pay is much higher than before, and I am quite satisfied.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
One Garden, One Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n
\n
Exploring Multiple Paths for Idle Kindergarten Facilities<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n

The ‘kindergarten-to-elderly-care’ transformation is finding new uses for idle kindergarten facilities. However, not all kindergartens have the objective conditions to be converted into elderly care institutions, and some regions are exploring more diversified revitalization paths.<\/p>\n

At the Sunflower Parent-Child Cottage in Tianqiao District, Jinan, Shandong, the latest parenting public welfare class is being held for nearby residents. Here, the same venue serves both low-age infant and toddler care and community parent-child science activities for residents\u2014an attempt by Tianqiao District to revitalize idle preschool education resources.<\/p>\n

Affected by the continued decline in birth rates, over the past three years, more than 40 private kindergartens in Tianqiao District have seen shrinking enrollment. Facing the current situation of idle preschool spaces, local authorities are tailoring solutions for different kindergartens based on their building conditions and surrounding population structure.<\/p>\n

Zhang Tingting, Party Group Member and Chief Inspector of the Tianqiao District Education and Sports Bureau, Jinan:<\/strong>We adopt a ‘one kindergarten, one policy’ approach to find solutions for each. Kindergartens with insufficient enrollment are encouraged to actively expand downward into nursery classes; the second option is conversion into elderly care institutions. Our region also has senior universities, and we can utilize venue resources, advancing steadily based on local needs and demands.<\/p>\n

During interviews, reporters learned that expanding nursery classes, converting into nursing homes, serving senior universities, running night schools, and improving residents’ activity spaces are currently the main transformation directions for idle kindergartens. And ‘co-care for the elderly and young’ is emerging as a new model.<\/p>\n

At Yuan’an Ke’ai Kindergarten in Hangu Town, Chongqing High-tech Zone, although the new semester has not officially started, resident Aunt Xiang brought her granddaughter early in the morning\u2014but not to drop the child off at kindergarten, but to engage in activities at the activity room of the elderly care service station.<\/p>\n

The elderly care service station mentioned by Aunt Xiang is located on the third floor of the kindergarten, which had long been unused. Under the guidance of local public service departments, the kindergarten adopted a ‘private operation with public support’ model to carry out age-friendly renovations on the floor. Functional areas for health care, wellness, reading, and leisure were all established one by one, and the service station quickly became a great place for nearby elderly residents to relax and socialize.<\/p>\n

Chongqing High-tech Zone<\/strong>Yu<\/strong>Anke<\/strong>Ai<\/strong>Li Jie, head of the kindergarten:<\/strong>After elderly people drop off their children at the kindergarten, they can come upstairs to participate in activities. On holidays, we organize intergenerational activities where the old and young enjoy time together, allowing both generations to bond and have fun as a family.<\/p>\n

The ‘Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Deepening the Reform and Development of Elderly Care Services,’ issued at the end of 2024, clearly proposed building integrated service complexes for both the elderly and children, encouraging the revitalization of idle public spaces and the coordinated layout of elderly care and childcare service facilities. This provides clear policy guidance for practices across the country. Now, from pilot exploration to top-level design, ‘co-care for the elderly and children’ is moving from individual pioneering efforts to nationwide implementation.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
Adapting to Demand<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n
\n
Preschool Teacher Colleges Add Elderly Care-Related Majors<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n

Spaces are transitioning from single-function use to diversified, composite utilization. At the same time, the talent supply also needs to be adjusted accordingly. Some preschool teacher colleges are actively establishing elderly care-related majors to provide composite talents for the health and wellness industry.<\/p>\n

Suzhou Early Childhood Education College, a long-established preschool teacher college with a 50-year history, has for the first time this year launched a new major in Smart Health Elderly Care Services and Management. To strengthen the professional teaching faculty, the college has hired practical training instructors from its partner elderly care service institutions to enrich frontline teaching, while also specifically recruiting high-level health and wellness professionals from society. The curriculum covers multiple areas, including daily care for the elderly, psychological care, prevention of common diseases, and health and wellness tourism management. The shift from cultivating early childhood education talents to nurturing professionals serving the elderly is a significant leap, but in the college’s view, the humanistic literacy cultivated through preschool education is precisely the unique advantage for this transformation.<\/p>\n

Head of the Smart Health Elderly Care Services and Management Major at Suzhou Early Childhood Education College<\/strong>Cai Ying<\/strong>:<\/strong>This kind of care for people requires long-term cultivation and even a certain atmosphere. Our practical training system runs through almost the entire three years. While meeting spiritual needs, we also do not neglect life rehabilitation training and ability assessment, integrating medical care, elderly care, and education in a multi-faceted manner.<\/p>\n

Facing the continuously growing demand for elderly care service talent, Yancheng Kindergarten Teachers College has planned ahead, and its Smart Health Elderly Care Service and Management major has been running for four years.<\/p>\n

In the over 7,000-square-meter skills training center, rehabilitation equipment, simulated wards, and other hardware facilities are all available. A relevant person in charge told reporters that teaching content from early childhood education, such as music therapy, dance, calligraphy, and sand painting, has been adapted and transformed into teaching modules for the elderly, including art therapy, psychological counseling, and recreational activities, becoming a distinctive competitive advantage in elderly care talent cultivation.<\/p>\n

The strong market demand has also driven a continued rise in applications for the major. By the fall semester of 2026, the enrollment scale for this major has expanded to four classes, doubling in size. The overall employment rate for the first cohort of 103 graduates reached 98%, with a job-matching rate of over 50%.<\/p>\n

Head of the Smart Health Elderly Care Service and Management major at Yancheng Kindergarten Teachers College<\/strong>Ji<\/strong>Ze<\/strong>sheng<\/strong>:<\/strong>Our enrollment has been quite popular since the first cohort in 2023. When I first arrived at this school, many students from other majors transferred to preschool education. In the past year or two, the trend has shifted, with many students from various majors wanting to transfer to the smart health elderly care and management program, which also reflects a change in perception towards elderly care.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
Followed<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n