Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

SHENZHEN is ramping up efforts to establish a 15-minute childcare service circle and create an inclusive and diverse childcare service system, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission.

Currently, Shenzhen has a total of 718 childcare institutions spread across the city, including 18 municipal-level demonstration childcare facilities, the city’s health authority said Sunday.

Balancing work and childcare has been a challenging experience for many Chinese parents, who face difficulties in finding affordable and high-quality childcare services. To address this issue, Shenzhen has been actively expanding its childcare services for toddlers and enhancing the development of childcare institutions since 2019.

This year, “expanding the provision of inclusive childcare services and making 16,000 more places available in childcare institutions” has been included in Shenzhen’s 10 major projects on improving residents’ well-being and one of the city government’s priorities.

According to the city’s health commission, Shenzhen aims to allocate childcare service resources more reasonably by 2025, with childcare institutions in each community providing full-day, half-day, timed and temporary care services.

Government agencies, public institutions and enterprises are encouraged to provide childcare services for their employees as a part of their work benefits, the commission said.

In addition, Shenzhen plans to further standardize child care by establishing a municipal childcare service guidance center, conducting training and assessment for practitioners such as those in charge of childcare institutions, healthcare providers and caregivers, and establishing a childcare service association.

This year, China has launched a month-long campaign lasting from May 15 to June 15 to promote childcare services.