Have you heard about the one-year-olds attending preschool? This week, a public kindergarten in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, made headlines by launching an “infant class.” Three babies, aged 6 months, 8 months, and 1 year old, became the first students in this class. These young children are cared for one-on-one by specialized caregivers for their feeding, playtime, naps, and diaper changes. Remarkably, the monthly fee of 1,950 yuan is one-third less than that at private preschools. Some parents have expressed their choice to enroll their children in this program due to both parents working and the unavailability of retirees in their families, making hiring a nanny unaffordable.
Statistics reveal that there are approximately 30 million infants under the age of 3 in China, with over 30% of families seeking childcare options. While enrolling children under one year of age in daycare is uncommon, ages two to three have already seen this becoming a common practice. How effective can such daycare services be in alleviating parenting pressures? What is the quality of care they provide, and how can parents ensure their children’s healthy growth?
The introduction of the infant class in Wenzhou has drawn significant attention. Over the past month, the class has enrolled nine eligible babies. Interestingly, this initiative is not isolated to Wenzhou; cities like Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Chengdu have explored similar programs.
Ms. Li, who had her first child in Hebei, did not face work-related challenges at that time thanks to parental support. However, upon having her second child while employed, she returned to work after a combined seven months of maternity leave and holidays. With both parents busy with their jobs and unable to secure grandparental help for various reasons, they turned to a nearby daycare center.
Separation from her second child presented challenges, and Ms. Li’s partner encouraged her by suggesting that, instead of providing inefficient care at home, it would be better to send their child to a daycare where quality care could be provided. They recognized the diminishing workplace competitiveness as they aged, and staying home could hinder their professional development.
As the director of a daycare center with a ten-month-old child, Wang Dujuan is sensitive to the psychological aspects of parenting and can empathize with new parents facing challenges. She frequently receives inquiries from mothers about how to arrange care for their children once their maternity leave ends. Currently, infants under one year old represent 10% of the total number of children in her daycare.
This demand for childcare has been recognized for some time. In May 2019, the General Office of the State Council issued guidelines promoting the development of childcare services for children under three, emphasizing the need for support and guidance for family care as well as community services. With 30 million infants in China, many families are struggling to find affordable child care solutions, especially when both parents work and managing care for younger infants is challenging.
In early 2021, the National Health Commission released guidelines clarifying expectations for daycare centers, dividing care for children from seven months up to three years into three developmental stages with a focus on nutrition, motor skills, language, emotional and social development, among others. Wang Dujuan stressed that parental involvement is crucial; parents should not rely solely on daycare centers for childcare.
Wang Dujuan, Director of a Daycare Center: “I often emphasize to parents that sending their child to daycare doesn’t mean they can step back from parenting. Family-centered care remains paramount; we serve as a supplement. Our roles resemble those of partners in a shared parenting journey.”
Shared parenting necessitates both professional care and affordability. Although her daycare utilizes community resources for space and facilities, high human resource costs result in monthly fees ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 yuan, which is a significant portion of many working parents’ monthly income. There is a common hope among parents and providers for more supportive policies that make quality childcare affordable.
With the current maternity leave set at 158 days, this implies that for a substantial period—from six months until the child reaches preschool age—children cannot be cared for directly by their parents, leading to the rise of daycare services. Last year, private daycare centers constituted 89.5% of all such institutions, while in tier-one cities, the monthly daycare fees reached 5,500 yuan, indicating a notable gap with what many young families can afford. Just last week, in response to complaints about high daycare costs, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Health Commission released the first national policy document addressing daycare service pricing, aimed at improving pricing mechanisms and promoting supply expansion.
In the Chongqing region, children’s health and care have become a priority, where every morning parents drop off their kids at a daycare center within the maternal and child health hospital, which began operations two years ago and can accommodate up to 150 children aged 6 months to 3 years.
As physicians conduct morning inspections, children are guided through a lively routine. After their check-ups, they enjoy breakfast based on nutritionist-advised menus tailored to their growth needs. Distinct from traditional daycare facilities, this center provides a comprehensive support team including doctors, nutritionists, and therapists who conduct regular growth assessments and health monitoring.
This Thursday marks the quarterly growth monitoring event, where children will undergo body measurements. To date, 1,332 children have benefited from these assessments, leading to timely interventions for ten children identified with developmental concerns.
The National Health Commission, in collaboration with other health authorities, aims to enhance support for childcare services. Earlier revisions to local regulations called for improving accessibility to affordable daycare. Chongqing has even allocated funds for childcare projects and has seen the establishment of the first public “medical-education” daycare center.
Regarding financing for affordable daycare, Chongqing has set annual subsidy standards for various age groups and has seen a surge in the number of daycare centers— increasing to 2,327 with over 126,600 slots available. Efforts to refine pricing mechanisms nationally are being spotlighted.
According to a report from September, the actual enrollment rate for children under three in various daycare facilities in China stands at just 7.86%, with nearly half of available slots remaining unoccupied. Parents voice concerns over fees, trust in quality, and the emotional challenges of leaving very young children in care, often resulting in multi-generational family support networks.
For example, a boy named Qiqi, nearing 14 months, briefly attends a community daycare program called “Jiangjiaxiang Baby House.” This two-hour respite allows his mother to work, while providing his grandmother some relief from daily childcare responsibilities.
“Baby Houses” in Shanghai offer community-based temporary care, differing from traditional daycare by providing structured two-hour slots in the mornings and afternoons. Funded entirely by the government, each child can access these services at least 12 times a year for free, with budget-friendly rates thereafter. Currently, over 240 such facilities have been implemented across the city.
The current configuration of baby houses ensures that parents can find childcare within a 15-minute radius, enhancing accessibility for families in busy urban environments. The “Baby House” initiative not only addresses the childcare needs of younger children but also cultivates community engagement by offering spaces for grandparents and other residents.
China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” aims to reach a goal of 4.5 daycare slots per 1,000 people by 2025, in recognition of the balance between employment and family life. The evolution of such services indicates a growing understanding of the diverse needs of families, ensuring that parents can focus on their careers while knowing their children are cared for in nurturing, supportive environments. As families face increasing pressures around parenting, these innovations in childcare will play a crucial role in facilitating a healthier balance.
