"However, one year later, their creative and communication skills, as well as their motor skills, have been greatly enhanced, " she said.

Qinghai launched a preschool education program for children in remote rural villages across the province in 2011, and 899 circuit preschool education centers have been established in 15 counties to date, covering 14,000 preschoolers in the province's countryside.

Over the past two years, central and local governments have invested 16 million yuan in the program, according to Lin Hai, an official with the local education authority.

The program is expected to close the preschool education gap between children in cities and those in rural and herding areas with backward transportation networks, Lin said.

Moreover, the official stressed that the circuit education centers are just a stopgap measure, and the government will work to build at least one kindergarten that is up to standards in each village.

"In addition to the financial strain, the major problem for now may be the lack of professional teachers," Lin said.