China's kindergarten closures foreshadow economic hit from falling births

SHANGHAI -- Angels Kindergarten, a private international kindergarten in Shanghai's western suburb of Qingpu, once boasted 16 classrooms, two large playgrounds, its own medical staff and foreign teachers for its bilingual curriculum. Now, school's out -- for good.

On a recent visit, the kindergarten's campus was deserted, closed in the summer after 18 years in business. Astroturf stripped from its playgrounds lay in front of its colorful multistory building.