BBC Worldwide has launched the first In the Night Garden preschool learning center in Shanghai, which will allow Chinese children to interact with characters from the global preschool TV program.

Produced by Teletubbies creators Ragdoll Productions, In the Night Garden launched on China’s state broadcaster CCTV in May 2009 and has since been the focus of numerous licensing programs that include a magazine and a range of toys from plastic to plush and stationery. DVDs have been released through Excel Media and Children’s Fun has had success with more than 30 book titles.

The first In the Night Garden center opened its doors on June 18. The center was developed by Ladder, which manages 250 similar non-branded locations across Greater China and will operate a further In the Night Garden centre in Hangzhou and a third in Shanghai by the end of Summer 2011. BBC Worldwide and Ladder have confirmed their intention to launch a further two by the end of the year.

The learning center concept follows the launch of nine similar Teletubbies centers across China.