Described are past and present changes in the preparation of kindergarten teachers in China, where kindergarten attendance is not compulsory and kindergarten programs are not universally available. Discussion focuses on (1) historical developments in, and current status of, Chinese kindergartens; (2) preparation of early childhood personnel, including teacher training in general and, specifically, kindergarten normal school education, which combines general high school education and teacher preparation for girls; (3) observations made during visits to several different kindergarten teacher training programs, including a kindergarten normal school, a kindergarten normal class in a middle school, and a kindergarten normal college; and (4) concerns of normal school personnel from several provinces who attended a university seminar. Concluding remarks focus on directions for reform in Chinese kindergarten teacher education. Appendices provide an English translation of a draft of a curriculum plan for trial use by an early childhood education normal middle school enrolling female graduates of junior high school. Related charts of course offerings for 3-year and 4-year programs are also included. (RH)