Effectiveness of Puhui Early Education Services Policy in China: Evidence from the Triangulated Perspectives of Stakeholders

Research Findings: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Puhui early education services (PEES) policy in China from the triangulated perspectives of stakeholders using a developed and validated scale. First, applying a stratified cluster sampling method, the Puhui Early Education Services Policy Effectiveness Scale (PE) was developed and validated with 85 principals, 909 kindergarten teachers, and 4,128 parents. Second, the psychometric properties indicated that the PE was a reliable and valid scale with three constructs: accessibility, affordability, and quality. Third, descriptive statistics found that Chinese stakeholders submitted a positive evaluation of the PEES policy effectiveness, with the construct of quality ranked the highest and that of affordability the lowest. Fourth, parents have fewer positive evaluations compared to principals and teachers, while stakeholders from Puhui private kindergartens have more positive evaluations compared to those from public kindergartens. Last, hierarchical regression analysis found that kindergarten type and rating were critical positive predictors after controlling for demographic and urbanicity factors. Practice or Policy: These findings indicate that it is necessary to understand parents’ policy expectations and improve the financial distribution to ensure sustainable and high-quality development of the PEES.