China has a complex system of multiple types of preschool provision, different funding models, a rural-urban divide and a diverse population in relation to place of origin, language dialects and socio economic status. In this paper we explore the complex situation of preschool provision and implications for policy makers in China. As the provision of preschool education is increasingly privatized there is a concern that children from low income families may not have access to quality early care and education services. Affordability and access to education in the early years has become a major concern of governments concerned about equity and the development of human capital. Case studies have been carried out in Beijing, as a developed urban centre and in Yinchuan, as a rural centre in the west of China. The data presented examines the relationship between types of service, fees charged and the income of families who access these services.