Children play happily at Tashkent's No 12 Kindergarten in Uzbekistan. [Photo/Tide News]

Tashkent's No 12 Kindergarten has become Uzbekistan's first "Anji Play" practice park, marking the introduction of China's preschool education model in Central Asia. Children at the kindergarten engage in autonomous and spontaneous play across various play zones.

Anji county in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has become a pioneer in reforming preschool education with its "Anji Play" program. This groundbreaking early childhood education model encourages children to explore and grow through open, low-structured play.

In 2024, Anji's education bureau and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Preschool and Primary Education signed a strategic agreement to promote "Anji Play", aiming to build a "Discovering Children" learning community. In August 2025, seasoned principals from Anji were invited to Uzbekistan to provide guidance.

After thorough consideration of location, infrastructure, and government support, both parties selected Tashkent's No 12 Kindergarten as one of the first "Anji Play" practice parks in Central Asia.

Since last August, Anji has supported the park's development through concept integration, environmental transformation, online training and offline guidance. Anji also donated play materials for various zones, such as block areas and sand-water zones.

This initiative signifies the localization of the "Anji Play" educational philosophy in Uzbekistan, enhancing practical educational cooperation between China and Uzbekistan.

Anji plans to expand the "Anji Play" concept globally, sharing its innovative preschool education model with countries like Tajikistan and Spain, aiming to benefit children worldwide.