Shanghai on Monday launched its annual summer day care program for primary school students, expanding the number of sites to a record 809 as the city continues efforts to help working families during the school holiday.
The six-week program, jointly organized by the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and Shanghai Education Commission along with multiple government departments, runs from July 6 to August 14. Organizers expect to provide services for nearly 70,000 students this summer.
The program operates at 809 locations across all of Shanghai's subdistricts and towns, an increase of 31 sites from last year. Classes are offered on weekdays in two three-week sessions.
This year's program includes several new initiatives aimed at expanding access and improving support services. Organizers have extended some sites to industrial parks, office buildings and companies to better serve working families, including those in new forms of employment.
Pilot classes for children with autism and other special care needs have also been introduced in the districts of Xuhui, Changning and Hongkou. The specialized classes are staffed by rehabilitation professionals and supported by special education resources from East China Normal University.
Nearly 85 percent of the camp sites are located in primary and secondary schools. Organizers said public security, emergency management, health, market regulation and fire authorities have coordinated in terms of safety, food service and operational guidelines ahead of the program's opening.
The curriculum combines educational and recreational activities, including science and technology, traditional Chinese culture, sports, arts, safety education and patriotic education. Organizers have also expanded online and offline activity resources by working with universities and public institutions.
The city has also updated volunteer training programs for high school and college students serving at the camps.
Registration procedures have been streamlined this year. Some camp sites will also pilot extended childcare services before 8am and after 4pm, subject to local demand and operational capacity.
First launched more than a decade ago, Shanghai's summer day care program has become one of the city's largest seasonal childcare initiatives, providing supervised daytime activities for children while helping parents balance work and family responsibilities during the summer vacation.
