Shenzhen builds "15-minute nursery circle" to ease burden of families-Xinhua

Teachers play games with children at a free nursery center in Pinghu Subdistrict of Longgang District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 16, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

Supported by government, communities and professional services together, the city has been working on the transformation of public facilities to create accessible and affordable nursery options that are close to home. Currently, Shenzhen has set up 109,000 nursery slots with at least one public nursery facility or kindergarten offering nursery services in every subdistrict. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Children listen to a teacher reading stories at a nursery center in Huahong Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A teacher plays games with children at a nursery center in Meihe Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A screen displaying weekly curriculum is pictured at a nursery center in Huahong Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A teacher gives a water bottle to a child at a nursery center in Meihe Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A community library nursery center is pictured in Huahong Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

Parents pick up their children at a nursery center in Huahong Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A teacher interacts with children at a nursery center in Meihe Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A teacher performs as she tells stories to children at a free nursery center in Pinghu Subdistrict of Longgang District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 16, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

Children are ready to go home at a nursery center in Huahong Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

Children do morning exercise at a nursery center in Meihe Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

Children from a nursery listen to teachers reading stories at a picture book museum in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 23, 2025. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A doctor performs massage to a child at a nursery center in Huahong Community of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A teacher plays games with children at a nursery in Minkang Community of Longhua District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.

A foreign teacher interacts with children at a nursery center in Meilin Subdistrict of Futian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2026. Shenzhen is building a "15-minute nursery circle" covering a child's first 1,000 days to ease the burden of families and encourage more births.