▲ Li Pei-yi, founder of Yupu Education, has built a comprehensive 0-to-12 educational system centered on the "Montessori Approach and Pikler Responsive Care." (Photo / ESG Times)

Diving Into Early Childhood Education Alongside Her Own Children: How Teacher Pei-yi Built a Learning Environment That "Accompanies Children in Being Themselves"

September 16, 2025      Reporter / Li Qiao-zhi

According to household registration population statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, the total number of newborns in Taiwan during the first half of 2025 stood at 55,375, marking 18 consecutive months of negative population growth. Government, academic, and corporate sectors alike have expressed deep concern over the declining birthrate. Despite this trend, discussions surrounding the early childhood education environment have never ceased. Especially in the wake of high-profile child abuse cases involving babysitters—such as the "Shao-shao" and "Xiao-tao-zi" incidents—preschool and daycare settings have become high-scrutiny areas for anxious parents. Their anxiety stems not just from safety concerns, but more fundamentally from a core question: "Can my child grow up happily in an environment tailored to their individual needs?"

There is No Single Standard in Early Childhood Education; Every Child Deserves Tailored Guidance

Fortunately, the free flow of information has broken the historical limitations of traditional early childhood education. An increasing number of parents are turning their attention to alternative pedagogical models. Approaches such as the HighScope Curriculum model popular in the United States, Germany’s Forest Kindergartens, and Waldorf’s nature- and art-focused education all have their dedicated followers. Among them, Li Pei-yi, the founder of Taiwan’s well-known Yupu Education, chose to center her approach on the Montessori method and Pikler responsive care, successfully crafting a seamless 0-to-12 educational framework.

▲ Teacher Pei-yi founded the "clicklesson" platform specifically to nurture and train more early childhood educators. (Photo / Provided by Yupu Education)

"If a child spends their entire school day confined to a single classroom, their experience becomes far too narrow," Teacher Pei-yi recalls. Originally, she started out simply wanting to build an "infant and toddler version of a sports playground" for her own children—a place where they could explore their world by crawling, running, and hands-on manipulation. She firmly believes that children do not merely need to be "watched over." Instead, adults should "satisfy the vibrant, intrinsic drive for growth within them," allowing curiosity, exploration, and independence to blossom through diverse interactions.

Starting from a 40-Ping Apartment to Becoming an Innovation Leader in Early Childhood Education

Teacher Pei-yi was originally a piano teacher who also co-managed a travel agency with her husband. "I used to fly so much that I grew weary of airplanes. But once I had my children, everything took on a whole new meaning." Driven by her children's developmental needs, she ventured into the early childhood education sector, starting an infant daycare service out of her 40-ping (approx. 1,400 sq. ft.) apartment. Over the years, that humble beginning evolved into the Yupu Education brand we see today.

Later, to address the talent gap and the lack of professional, practical training for frontline educators, Teacher Pei-yi took a step further by founding the "clicklesson" platform. By bringing together a diverse array of experts—including psychotherapists, occupational therapists, Montessori specialists, and picture-book lecturers—she provided frontline teachers with vital technical support and professional expertise.

"I believe that everyone who enters early childhood education loves children; otherwise, they wouldn't choose this profession. However, only by mastering deep, specialized techniques—learning to truly understand children and respond to their needs—can we prevent burnout and moments of losing control. The purpose of 'clicklesson' is to solve this fundamental dilemma." Breaking through boundaries, moving forward steadily, and never giving up—this is the bedrock of Teacher Pei-yi’s solid footing in the field.

Pei-yi emphasizes that Yupu’s most critical core philosophy is "accompanying children in being themselves." By providing a thoughtfully prepared environment, children naturally engage in self-directed practice, gaining a joy of learning that fosters independence and confidence. Children at Yupu enjoy vast spaces to play to their hearts' content, but they are also required to learn social boundaries, language protocols, and behavioral etiquette. For example, whether sitting at the dining table or interacting with peers, they must demonstrate full politeness and respect. Every single day, Yupu’s teachers utilize sharp observation and master-level guidance to accompany children as they learn through laughter and grow within self-discipline.

▲ Teacher Pei-yi frequently utilizes various self-media platforms to share her educational philosophies. (Photo / Provided by Yupu Education)

Redefining Infant and Toddler Caregivers as "Teachers"

True education is neither about restricting a child's potential nor about pure permissiveness; finding the perfect balance between freedom and discipline is a sophisticated art. To ensure her team maintains a unified core philosophy, Yupu has long invested heavily in human resource development. The school has constructed a complete, structured system across all stages of talent acquisition—from recruitment and deployment to training and retention. This framework cultivates a sense of happiness and purpose among the staff, creating tight-knit bonds between teachers, parents, and students. Teacher Pei-yi believes that only when educators hold a high sense of professional identity will they remain committed to the industry long-term, working together to elevate the quality of the next generation.

Regarding the long-standing tug-of-war between conventional and alternative education systems, Li Pei-yi believes that "true education is not about picking a side, but about understanding a child's needs and crafting a space that responds to their unique traits." She stresses that openness and structure are not contradictory. Educational settings do not need labels, and they certainly shouldn't replicate rigid formulas. Instead, teachers should act like architects, building an adaptive learning environment centered entirely around the child.

At Yupu, there is no "cookie-cutter mold for success" dictated by dogmas or frameworks. There is only the joyful sound of children finding themselves, knowing themselves, and ultimately expressing themselves. Despite the shrinking birthrate and ongoing societal challenges impacting the educational landscape, Teacher Pei-yi remains steadfast in her original purpose. The ultimate proof that she is "walking the right path and doing the right thing" is the older alumni who return every summer and winter break to volunteer. Driven by Yupu's powerful sense of community, there is no doubt that the frontline of early childhood education will continue to grow brighter and better.

Source of the report：ESG TIMES    https://esgtimes.com.tw/16746-2/