Baby Care Means Big

May 17-2019   

China’s State Council recently promulgated a directive aimed at spurring care service for infants and toddlers, a move lauded by NSD Prof. Zhao Yaohui in her commentary for the official Xinhua Net.

Prof. Zhao notices that due to the dearth of social services and the fast-rising salary of nannie, many families have to look after the babies and toddlers under three years old. Young mothers tend to leave their jobs, causing human resource loss; so do some grandparents who are just in their fifties.

Hitherto services have not caught up with the enormous demand. Prof. Zhao believes it’s mainly due to the high risks for businesses in the face of unclear market entry rules and arbitrariness of law enforcement. The new directive calls on local governments to support community nurseries, and lays out the registration and filing requirements for commercial and non-profit nurseries alike.

The State Health Commission is tasked with drafting the standards and management rules. Prof. Zhao believes baby care will go a long way towards benefiting women and generating welfare for the nation.