The General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council have recently issued a joint notice aimed at bolstering the availability of affordable childcare services. The notice outlines multiple strategies, including expanding public childcare facilities through diverse channels, fostering community-based childcare centers and family childcare services, and supporting qualified kindergartens in extending their childcare offerings. The overarching objective is to enhance the accessibility of affordable community childcare in eligible metropolitan areas, aiming to achieve a coverage rate exceeding 80% within the next decade.
Furthermore, the notice emphasizes the integration of affordable childcare into the welfare systems of enterprises and institutions, stipulating that related expenses should be covered by employee welfare funds, with potential additional support from trade union funds.