China's most expensive kindergarten is reported to open this fall in city Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province.

The owner of the kindergarten, Li Junjie, said he plans to charge 100,001 yuan or over 13 thousand dollars in tuition for one year, which is just one yuan higher than the nation's present most expensive kindergarten in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dahe Daily reports.

Children play at Li Junjie's kindergarten in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province.

Li, who had earlier run a similar "illegal" school, said he has got an official license this time from the local government. The man vows that his kindergarten will be a "wonderland creation", promising that all kids from his upcoming kindergarten would be able to read at age three, go to junior high school at seven and university when only fifteen.

Li claimed that he spent 200 thousand yuan to rent a 2,000 square meter space for one year on his kindergarten and invested 500 thousand yuan in decorating it. He said he just meant to make his kindergarten China's most expensive by charging one yuan more than the current most expensive Nanjing counterpart.

Although Li boosts too much about his upcoming kindergarten, currently only nine parents have visited for consultation, and as yet no one has officially signed up. Many people are comparing the Nanjing kindergarten with Li's, saying that the Nanjing kindergarten is very well equipped with high-tech indoor teaching facilities, with all of its 30 foreign language teachers native speakers. Other wonderful outdoor recreation facilities and expo spaces also make the kindergarten a worthy place for children. However, the kindergarten of Li's has at the moment only 13 teachers, with not higher education level. Moreover, it's equipped with only some common equipment. That's why many have complained that the 100,001 yuan price tag is unreasonably high for medium income parents, since each month they have to pay at least 8,000 yuan, which is equivalent to the annual university tuition fee.

Li however argued that his kindergarten is targeting only the rich, and that children in his kindergarten should have good abilities and their parents should respect his teaching methods.

But experts warn that a costly school like this does not necessarily lead to a good education. Education in early childhood should focus on interest cultivation and good behavior, not learning how to read.

Li's kindergarten currently has 20 students, each paying 20,000 to 30,000 yuan a year. The new tuition fees will begin next semester. Li has assured his old customers that they can remain at their current tuition level.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 15, 2007)