COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE A MIXED METHODS STUDY © 2023 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@ worldbank.org. COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE A MIXED METHODS STUDY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Report was prepared by a World Bank – International Finance Cooperation team led by Angela Elzir Assy that included Paola Buitrago Hernandez, Marilia Magalhaes, Lama Abou Char, Rhea Jabbour, Tamara Azar and Yasmine Ossaily. Field work and survey implementation was conducted by Statistics Lebanon and complemented with updated data from nurseries collected by Yara Abou Jaoude and Lara Atallah from the World Bank. The publication benefited from peer review comments from Lourdes Rodriguez Chamussy, Amanda Devercelli, and S Anukriti, and additional contributions from Jonna Maria Lundvall. The team would like to thank Cynthia Yammine for invaluable administrative support in the process, translator Nayla Younes, and editor Burton Bollag. The design of the report was developed by Sarah Alameddine. The work was conducted under the general guidance of the Mashreq Country Director, Jean-Christophe Carret; the Poverty and Equity Global Practice Managers Johannes Hoogeveen and Alan Fuchs; and the Lebanon Country Operations Officer Mouna Couzi. The team is grateful for the support and feedback received from Ms. Pamela Zgheib, head of the Mother and Child Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH); as well as from the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW): Claudine Aoun, President, and Jad Najem, head of the Committee on Economy, Labor and Sustainable Development. The team is grateful for the active participation and feedback on the assessment and recommendation from attendees in the following roundtables: (i) Government Roundtable: moderated by Ms. Pamela Zgheib (MOPH) and including Ms. Rita Karam (Ministry of Social Affairs), Ms. Denise Dahrouj (Ministry of Labor), Ms. Laure Wehbe (National Social Security Fund) and Ms. Hilda Khoury (Ministry of Education and Higher Education); and (ii) Civil Society Organizations and International Agencies Roundtable: moderated by Ms. Shereen Abbadi (World Bank) and including Ms. Lina Torossian (International Rescue Committee), Ms. Rouba Arja (UNESCWA), Ms. Hana Joujou (Syndicate of Nursery Owners in Lebanon), Ms. Fadia Safi (SESOBEL), and Mr. Fayez Jalloul (Al Mabarrat Association). The Report was prepared as part of the Mashreq Gender Facility (MGF).1 This Facility provides technical assistance to Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon to strengthen the enabling environment for women’s economic participation and improve women’s access to economic opportunities. The MGF is a World Bank - IFC initiative mainly supported by the Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality (UFGE) in partnership with the governments of Canada and Norway. UFGE has received generous contributions from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. 1 https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/mashreq-gender-facility 2 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY ABBREVIATIONS BT Baccalaureate Technique CAPI Computer Assisted Personal Interview CAS Central Administration of Statistics CATI Computer Assisted Telephone Interview CCIA-BML Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture-Beirut and Mount Lebanon CCIA-S Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture-Sidon and South Lebanon CERD Centre for Educational Research and Development ECCE Early Childhood Care and Education ECD Early Childhood Development ECE Early Childhood Education FGD Focus Group Discussions HH Household HR Human Resources KG Kindergarten KII Key Informant Interview LBP Lebanese Pound LFHLCS Labor Force and Household Living Conditions Survey LFP Labor Force Participation LFPR Labor Force Participation Rate LT License Technique FLFP Female Labor Force Participation MA Master of Art MEHE Ministry of Education and Higher Education MENA Middle East and North Africa MGF Mashreq Gender Facility MOPH Ministry of Public Health MOSA Ministry of Social Affairs NCLW National Commission for Lebanese Women NGO Non-governmental organization NSSF National Social Security Fund OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development PhD Doctor of Philosophy PPES Probability Proportionate to Estimated Size SDC Social Development Center SL Statistics Lebanon SPGL Syndicat des Propriétaires de Garderies au Liban TS Technique Supérieure USD United State Dollars WBG World Bank Group Abbreviations 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ‫ الملخص التنفيذي‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2. METHODOLOGY: MIXED METHODS STUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3. POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK AROUND CHILDCARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 4. MAPPING AND SUPPLY-SIDE ASSESSMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 4.1. Center-Based Childcare Services 33 4.1.1. Mapping of services: Distribution and Capacity 33 4.1.2. Operating status during COVID-19 and the economic crisis 35 4.1.3. Characteristics of operation of center-based providers 35 4.1.4. Affordability 39 4.1.5. Cost of supplying childcare services, sources of funding, and feasibility 42 4.1.6. Quality-related aspects 45 4.2. Employer-Supported Childcare Solutions 48 4.2.1. Employers with childcare support and family-friendly policies in place 49 4.2.2. Employers with no childcare support in place 53 4.2.3. Key Takeaways from International Good Practices and Experiences: A Literature Review 55 5. DEMAND-SIDE ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 5.1. Women’s role regarding childcare responsibilities and household work 57 5.2. Current utilization of childcare services 60 5.3. Potential demand for childcare services 61 5.4. Qualitative analysis on parents’ expectations towards childcare services 65 5.5. Suggestive willingness to pay 66 6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 ANNEX 1. ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE OVERALL METHODOLOGY FOR THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND COMPONENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 ANNEX 2. SAMPLING METHODOLOGY FOR HOUSEHOLD (DEMAND) SURVEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 ANNEX 3. STRUCTURE OF DEMAND-SIDE FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 ANNEX 4. FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES IN LEBANON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 ANNEX 5. MAPPING OF CENTER-BASED CHILDCARE SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 ANNEX 6. QUESTIONNAIRES CHILDCARE PROVIDERS QUESTIONNAIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 ANNEX 7. PROFILES OF SURVEYED BUSINESSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 ANNEX 8. CONSTRUCTION OF SCORE OF STRUCTURAL QUALITY ELEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 4 Box 1. Key Definitions Around Childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Box 2. Complex field work leading to data limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Box 3. Comparison of methodology with the regional Mashreq care report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Figure 1. Overview of the benefits that accrue from access to childcare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Figure 2. Mixed methods analysis of childcare services in Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Figure 3. Childcare Policy Gap in Mashreq Countries and MENA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Figure 4. Labor force participation rate by governorate and sex (%), 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Figure 5. Capacity utilization (enrollment/full capacity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Figure 6. Total capacity of nurseries by number of children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Figure 7. Percent of childcare facilities serving various age groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Figure 8. Days of operation, by type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Figure 9. Distribution of employed (aged 15 years and above) according to number of hours usually worked %, Lebanon, 2022 . .38 Figure 10. Average and median monthly fee of center-based childcare, by shift and type of provider, as of April 30 – June 28, 2021 . . 39 Figure 11. Average and median monthly fee of center-based childcare, by type of provider (Jan-Feb 2023) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Figure 12. Criteria for price reductions, % responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Figure 13. Share of operational costs covered by student fees, private nurseries (Jan-Feb 2023), in % . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Figure 16. Percentage in total expenses, all nurseries (Jan-Feb 2023) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Figure 14. Average income statement for private providers in Lebanon (LBP per year and per child enrolled), 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Figure 15. Operating expenditures as a share of total operating cost for private providers (%), 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Figure 17. Nurseries operational expenditures by type of provider and cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Figure 18. Education of nursery teachers/ caregivers by type of provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Figure 19. Primary caregiver average monthly salary as of April 30 – June 28 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Figure 20. Average score on checklist of structural quality elements, private providers (n=171) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Figure 21. Distribution of checklist score among private providers, by location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Figure 22. Frequency of paid and unpaid maternity leave durations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Figure 23. Frequency of paid and unpaid paternity leave durations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Figure 24. Comparison of paid and unpaid maternity and paternity leave offered by sampled companies (n=100) . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Figure 25. Distribution of sampled employers according to family-friendly policies that they currently offer and plan to offer in the next year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Figure 26. Primary motivations for offering childcare support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Figure 27. Top three impacts on businesses providing childcare support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Figure 28. Employers’ provision of childcare support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Figure 29. Main reasons employers are not planning to provide childcare support to their employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Figure 30. probability of FLFP by number of children in the household (0-6 years), and education level, 25+, 2018/2019 . . . . . . . .58 Figure 31. Willingness to use paid day care services at household level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Figure 32. Willingness to use free day care services at household level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Figure 33. Willingness of women and men to use free or paid childcare services (children 0-4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Figure 34. Parents’ perceptions of early childhood education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Table 1. Change in FLFP rate should untapped demand of childcare services be satisfied. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Table 2. summary of the assessments conducted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Table 3. Childcare Providers Interviewed in Lebanon (detailed CAPI survey) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Table 4. Descriptive Statistics of Surveyed Mothers and Households . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Table 5. Characteristics of selected firms for employer assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Table 6. Licensing requirements for private nurseries in Lebanon compared to OECD average standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Table 7. Interviewed center-based providers, by type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Table 8. Monthly fee by type of provider during the follow-up survey – US$ paid in cash (Jan-Feb 2023) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Table 9. Service price reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Table 10. Arrangements for food at childcare facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Table 11. Childcare support and family-friendly policies typically provided by companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Table 12. Financial, provision and legal challenges that prevented employers from offering childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Table 13. Parents’ Expectations and Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Table 14. Household suggested willingness to pay for childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Table 15. Average amount HH are paying and say they are willing to pay for childcare (0-5 years), by Governorate and in total . . .66 Table 16. Matrix of potential reforms and proposed timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 The multiple crises in Lebanon have had significant was becoming of working age, and thus, the size of the impact on poverty, employment and jobs. The country labor force would have continued to increase. However, is going through one of the most severe economic and between 2015-2021, the working age population financial crises globally since the mid-nineteenth decreased by an average compounded annual growth century. The compounded effects of the devaluation rate of 3.5 percent. Another factor significantly and instability of the local currency, the surging affecting the size of the labor force is the number of inflation of fuel and food prices and the challenging people who have emigrated from Lebanon, which is health conditions imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic difficult to estimate precisely given the lack of official have contributed to pushing an increasing number of data available.4 Emigration is not a new phenomenon, households into poverty, unemployment and idleness. and Lebanon has a long history of its citizens moving The country, however, faced important labor market abroad. However, the recent increase in emigration challenges even before the crises started in 2019: since 2019 is notable for its scale and the speed at jobless growth, low labor force participation rates which it has occurred, which has led to concerns (especially among women), high unemployment about brain drain and the long-term economic and (in particular among youth), and skills mismatch. social impacts on the country. This has started to Moreover, those employed were mostly working in exert significant constraints on key sectors, such as informal, low-productive jobs. Since the crises started, care, where emigration has led to reductions in service joblessness (unemployment and inactivity) among the delivery. working age population has increased due to lay-offs or people leaving their jobs and closures of a significant In Lebanon, most women are not engaged in any number of firms, and informality has increased. The income-generating activity, being either economically high economic idleness among the Lebanese is a drain inactive or unemployed. The most recent labor force on the economy and does not adequately capture or survey by the Central Administration of Statistics allow for the growth of the country’s human capital. (2022 follow up to the Labor Force Survey)5 shows that Additionally, the Beirut Port explosion in August 2020 78 percent of women in Lebanon are out of the labor adversely affected the daily operations of a large force – thus only 22 percent are economically active. number of businesses in the capital.2 For men, it is the other way around, with 66 percent economically active and 34 percent considered While demographic trends have reduced the size of inactive. In addition, out of the economically active the working age population and, consequently, the women, 33 percent are unemployed – compared to size of the labor force, prioritizing investment toward 28 percent among men. Furthermore, a very small increasing women’s entry into the labor market percentage of women is in the potential labor force.6 would be key to extending the demographic dividend. In Lebanon, fertility rates dropped significantly in the The economic and financial crisis in Lebanon since 1990s and have been stable since the 2000s at around 2019, coupled with the Beirut Port explosion and 2 children per woman. Life expectancy has increased the COVID-19 pandemic, have been a set-back for constantly from 75 to 79 in two decades.3 These previous gains in women’s economic empowerment. trends affect the size of the working age population This is evident from the results of two labor force and, consequently, of the labor force and the size of the surveys conducted by the Central Administration of dependent population to the workforce. The working Statistics (one conducted pre-crisis in 2018-20197 age population (15-64 years old) was increasing and a follow up in 2022 as mentioned above), that constantly until 2015, and Lebanon could still be going shows that the overall labor force participation rate through a demographic transition that would allow it (LFPR) has declined by six percentage points, from 49 to capitalize on the demographic dividend. This means percent in 2018-2019 to 43 per cent in 2022. The LFPR that a large (and increasing) share of the population among men declined from 70 percent in 2018/2019 2 https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/what-mega-crises-have-done-lebanese-firms-and-workers 3 Population data is based on UN World Population Prospects numbers; fertility rates and life expectancy numbers are based on World Bank Databank. 4 Data from UN DESA estimated the net migration in 2022 to stand at -115,100 and the total number of emigrants at mid-year 2020 to be 856,800 people. 5 http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php/latest-news-en/201-labour-force 6 Potential labor force: unavailable jobseekers (persons without employment who are seeking employment but are not available) and available potential jobseekers (persons without employment who are not seeking employment but are available). 7 http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/Publications/Labour%20Force%20and%20Household%20Living%20Conditions%20Survey%202018-2019. pdf Executive Summary 7 to 66 percent in 2022, while the LFPR among women of a household survey conducted for this assessment. decreased from 29 percent in 2018/2019 to 22 percent This might reflect limited availability of childcare in 2022. This is also evident from a recent World services (supply), but also unwillingness of families Bank survey among formal firms the shows that net to use childcare services due to preferences for home job losses for women were on average 5 percentage care (demand), or a mismatch between demand and points higher than for men. This is in a context where supply of childcare services (cost, quality, location, women represent less than a third of the total full- among other things). time workforce in surveyed firms.8 Affordable quality childcare options are critically Unmarried women without children tend to have linked to women’s economic participation and relatively higher labor force participation rates employment. Although the magnitude of childcare whereas married women and, even more so, married benefits varies between countries, evidence indicates women with children below schooling age tend to that having more quality childcare services has a have the lowest rates.9 According to the State of positive effect on female labor force participation, Women in Lebanon report10, female participation employment, and work hours; this is true in both rates are at their peak in women in their mid-twenties developed and developing countries.13 Equally and thirties, but then steadily decline until their fifties. important, expanding the supply of childcare services This negative relationship, well established in the can also create new employment opportunities for literature, is generally associated with the fact that women in that sector.14 women disproportionately face time constraints due to family responsibilities. In addition to time spent on According to the recently published World Bank domestic chores, women in Lebanon spend an average Mashreq report “Who Cares? Care Work and Women’s of more than five hours a day on childcare, while men Labor Market Outcomes in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon,”15 spend an average of less than two.11 According to the improving access to childcare in Lebanon has the 2021 Arab Barometer country report for Lebanon, the potential to increase the labor market engagement top three most cited barriers among Lebanese citizens of mothers of young children, thus having a sizable to women’s participation in the labor force were impact of FLFP. In Lebanon, FLFP could increase by structural and included: the lack of childcare options 2.1 percentage points if more paid childcare services (69 percent), followed by low wages (54 percent) and were available, and 6.7 percentage points in case lack of means of transportation (47 percent). The of increased availability of free childcare services. other two barriers were cultural: men given a priority In addition, expanding the coverage of childcare for the jobs, and mixed workplaces being an issue with services in Lebanon to serve 25 percent of the current women working alongside men.12 population of children 0-3, and assuming caregiver- to-children ratios of 1:5, would lead to the creation Sixty percent of surveyed mothers of young children of approximately 9,200 caregiver jobs (this number in Lebanon identified “childcare responsibilities” would go up to 13,400 jobs if considering a share of as the main reason they do not join the workforce. 35% children 0-3 served). Including all staff needed However, data indicates low enrollment and limited to run a nursery would lead to higher job creation utilization of childcare services, based on the results potential. 8 https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/what-mega-crises-have-done-lebanese-firms-and-workers 9 (i) World Bank Group, (2020). Women’s Economic Participation in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. State of the Mashreq Women Flagship 1. (ii) World Bank and UN Women. 2021. The Status of Women in Lebanon: Assessing Women’s Access to Economic Opportunities, Human Capital Accumulation & Agency. Washington D.C.: World Bank. 10 World Bank Group, (2020). Women's Economic Participation in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. State of the Mashreq Women Flagship 1. 11 World Bank and UN Women. 2021. The Status of Women in Lebanon: Assessing Women’s Access to Economic Opportunities, Human Capital Accumulation & Agency. Washington D.C.: World Bank 12 https://www.arabbarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Opinion-Lebanon-Country-Report-2021-En-1.pdf 13 For example, in lower and middle-income countries (Halim, Petrova, and Reynolds 2021), as well as in urban Argentina (Berlinski and Galiani 2007), Brazil (Barros et al. 2011; Deutsch 1998), Canada (Lefebvre, Merrigan, and Verstraete 2009), rural Colombia (Attanasio and Vera-Hernandez 2004), the European Union (Del Boca and Locatelli 2006), Japan (Asai, Kambayashi, and Yamaguchi 2015), Romania (Fong and Lokshin 2000), the Russian Federation (Lokshin 2004), and Turkey (World Bank 2015). 14 Devercelli and Beaton-Day, 2020. 15 Redaelli,Silvia; Lnu,Anukriti; Buitrago Hernandez,Sandra Paola; Ismail,Tala. State of the Mashreq Women Flagship : Who Cares? - Care Work and Women’s Labor Market Outcomes in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents. worldbank.org/curated/en/099000502222338765/P16815701c336d00e095dc093ef29af40a7 8 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Evidence also demonstrates that investing in show that access to affordable and quality childcare quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) services and/or benefits contributes to women’s labor has a significant impact on children’s cognitive and force participation which in turn, realizes positive socioemotional development and on longer-term outcomes for children and the retention of talented, outcomes. In the short and medium term, the benefits skilled, and diverse working parents (IFC, 2017). from increased access to ECCE services include improved school readiness, better nutrition outcomes, Almost all private sector employers in the studied increased probability of completion of secondary, sample said they were familiar with Lebanese labor and reduced involvement in juvenile crime. Long term laws (99 percent) and with the National Social benefits include better education outcomes and Security laws (96 percent). Additionally, there is near lifelong learning, improved employment prospects and universal corporate compliance with the 10-week earnings, better health-seeking and behaviors, and paid maternity leave stipulated by the Lebanese labor less dependency on social assistance systems.16 law, as reported by the surveyed firms. While most surveyed employers do not provide childcare support, This mixed-methods study examines the care the majority of private sector companies reported arrangements and needs of households with young providing family friendly policies to employees, children in Lebanon and contrast them relative to including maternity and paternity leaves, flexible work the provision of childcare services in the country. The arrangements, telecommuting, caring for sick children study collects new evidence and documents practices, and work/life programs, a parental leave appraisal norms, and behaviors around care needs, focusing on system, maternity return to work support programs, the role of women as caregivers and care providers. and breastfeeding room and lactation breaks. The analysis focuses on formal, registered services for children in the 0-3 age group and involves primary The following main messages emerge from the data collection on both the demand and the supply assessment of childcare services in Lebanon: of childcare. 1. Supply of childcare services in Lebanon is mostly In light of multiple crises over the past years in private and geographically concentrated in coastal Lebanon, the sense of priority for medium to large areas where employment opportunities for women private sector firms to implement family-friendly are most available; inland districts have limited and childcare policies competes with an emphasis on availability of services. According to the mapping survival. The crises have placed a burden on Lebanon’s exercise, most facilities are run by the private sector business landscape, causing intense contraction of (81 percent), followed by religious institutions (7 economic activity coupled with plummeting demand percent), not-for-profit organizations (6 percent) for goods and services, and consequently medium and and the public sector (6 percent, mainly by the large firm downsizing and laying-off of a significant Ministry of Social Affairs – MOSA). number of workers, as mentioned previously (World Bank Group, MENA Region, 2021). For some businesses, 2. There is also a mismatch between supply of center- the COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity to reflect based providers across cazas and potential demand internally on the company and improve its strategy, (population that could potentially demand childcare organizational structure and internal policies including services) according to the share of population in ones that support working parents and promote work- the 0-3 age group per caza (district). For instance, life balance. Akkar caza in the north, which has the third largest share of children 0-3 (9 percent), has 11 providers Support for family-friendly and childcare policies can only. However, the coastal cazas Baadba and El help the Government of Lebanon’s goal of increasing Metn which represent similar shares of population the percent of female labor force participation (FLFP) aged 0-3, have a significantly higher number of by 5 percentage points over the next 5 years (Women’s providers operating in the area (71 and 81 providers, Economic Empowerment National Action Plan, 2019). respectively). Case studies developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in several developing countries 16 See, among other reviews, (Duncan & Magnuson, 2013) and (Camilli, Vargas, Ryan, & Barnett, 2010) for evidence in the U.S., (Nores & Barnett, 2010) for a review of international evidence outside the U.S. and Canada, (OECD, 2006) and (OECD, 2017) for evidence in OECD countries, more recently, (Devercelli & Beaton-Day, 2020) for evidence in developing countries, and (Cadima, Nata, Barros, & Barata, 2020) for evidence focused on children younger than three. Executive Summary 9 3. In addition, the provision of childcare services is most participants recognized the benefits of high- geared towards the 1-3 age group and there is a gap quality nursery care to children’ social, emotional in provision for children under one. Given that paid and educational development. maternity leave in Lebanon is only 10 weeks, and there’s no paid paternity leave, this signals a gap for 6. Most women with small children face difficulties parents who want and/or need to get back to work joining and remaining in the labor force either after the paid leave is over. Most providers operate because of childcare needs and domestic on a Monday through Friday basis, and only half of responsibilities or due to social norms that expect the surveyed providers offer services after 3pm. them to be full time mothers. Employed mothers express that they are expected by society to bear 4. The economic crisis in Lebanon has had a severe a double burden of a paid job and household work. impact on childcare service providers as well as the During the FGDs conducted as part of this study, affordability and sustainability of such services, due fear of failure as a mother to care for her children to both a reduction in household incomes and an and the well-being of the family, was mentioned by increase in the cost of services. According to data both working and non-working mothers. Employed gathered in Jan-Feb 2023, 9.5 percent of providers women also manifest a fear of being criticized by closed their doors due to the compounded effect of society. There is a strong belief that mothers’ care of the COVID 19 pandemic and the economic crisis. small children cannot be replaced and as such they Childcare service providers report that the number should be the main caregivers. Among surveyed of families having trouble paying the fees increased mothers, 58 percent agree that looking after the from 2019 to 2021. Moreover, the monthly median home or family is just as fulfilling as working for pay price for full day service can be as high as 89 and 79 percent of surveyed mothers are satisfied percent of the minimum wage. Additionally, local with the distribution of the childcare responsibilities currency devaluation and the significant increase in the household. in fuel prices have hurt providers’ profitability, reducing the incentives for new entrants to join the 7. While the majority of private sector employers sector. Increased cost of service provision makes offer family-friendly policies, only a limited number it challenging for providers to maintain quality provide childcare support, despite its evidence- standards in the service. based positive impact on employee retention, productivity and absenteeism. Based on a sample 5. Although not nationally representative17 of of 100 businesses, only 5 percent provide childcare households with young children, results from a solutions to employees. Their adopted approaches survey of parents of young children (age 0-3) suggest include partnering with near-site private daycares that demand for services is low. Data gathered from while covering a portion of the fees, providing a direct nurseries between January and February 2023 childcare subsidy to employees, and providing an shows that the average capacity utilization number on-site daycare operated by an NGO in partnership (i.e. children enrolled divided by number of available with the public sector. The remaining 95 percent do seats) is 58 percent for the age group 0-5.18 Only 10 not provide childcare solutions to employees, and of percent of nurseries are operating at full capacity. them, only 15 percent would be willing to consider In most surveyed households, parents are the sole providing childcare solutions in the future. The caregivers without additional help. Family members, reasons behind companies’ reluctance to provide especially grandmothers, help occasionally in childcare solutions to their employees are varied. many households but not in a consistent manner. Half of surveyed employers who do not provide Employed mothers (of young children) are more childcare reported that the numbers of employees willing to switch from informal care arrangements with children aged 0-5 years at their company are to a formal center-based service, as compared to too low to justify a childcare solution, followed by mothers who are unemployed or not in the labor slightly more than a third reporting no intention force. In general, over half of surveyed households to assume responsibility, and about a third citing with young children (57 percent) were not willing to no demand from their employees for childcare pay for childcare, while about 20 percent are willing solutions. Examples of the types of family friendly to pay. However, in focus group discussions (FGDs), policies provided include: maternity and paternity 17 Refer to section on Methodology for details on the selection of households with young children that were interviewed. 18 The capacity utilization was calculated with the updated data gathered from the survey conducted between January and February 2023 covering a sample of 228 nurseries selected randomly from the universe n=509. 10 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY leaves, flexible work arrangements, telecommuting, and budget in Lebanon. Laws on childcare are limited caring for sick children and work/life programs, to licensing. Moreover, licensing regulations apply parental leave appraisal system, maternity return exclusively to private (non-state) providers and to work support programs, and breastfeeding room cover center-based services only, while home-based and lactation break. provision remains unregulated. Statutory minimum quality standards mainly focus on structural quality 8. There is no comprehensive childcare policy and (relatively in line with OECD average standards) and strategy detailing objectives, implementation plans less so on the elements of process quality. BOX 1. KEY DEFINITIONS AROUND CHILDCARE Childcare can be provided in many different settings and is called different things in different countries. Types of childcare services tend to fall into three categories: home-based care, center-based care, and improvised and unremunerated family arrangements. Formal care: Refers to care for which recipients or household members pay. It can include institutional (center-based) care, as well as residential (at-home) Home-based care: Broadly speaking, home-based care falls into two types: (i) care by someone in the child’s own home who is sometimes called a nanny or au pair; (ii) childcare provided for a group of children in a caregiver’s home. Center-based care: Centers providing care for young children are generally called daycares, nurseries, or crèches. Preschools and kindergartens can also serve such a childcare function. Family and other informal care arrangements: These are arrangements that put the burden for care on a friend or family member. This could include taking the child to work or leaving the child with a neighbor, friend, sibling, grandparent, or other relative. This type of care may or may not be remunerated. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) refers to programs aimed at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. ECCE comprises care, (health, nutrition and child-care in a nurturing environment) and education (play, socialization, guidance, and developmental activities), ideally provided in an integrated manner (UNESCO, 2013). While quality care is crucial for all children, as they get older, they also need more formal learning experiences to help them prepare for primary school (Devercelli & Beaton-Day, 2020). Early Childhood Education (ECE) helps children build strong foundations that will support a lifetime of learning. Early Childhood Development (ECD) comprises the investments in the physical, cognitive, linguistic, socio-emotional development of young children – from before birth until they transition to primary school. Source: definition compiled from the following: (i) Devercelli & Beaton-Day, 2020; (ii) Bendini & Devercelli, 2022; (iii) World Bank Early Childhood Development: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/earlychildhooddevelopment Executive Summary 11 ‫الملخص التنفيذي‬ ‫وثمة عامل آخر يؤثر بشكل كبير على حجم القوى العاملة‬ ‫َ‬ ‫المائة‪.‬‬ ‫ا على مستوى‬ ‫ا كبير ً‬‫تركت األزمات المتعددة التي يواجهها لبنان أثر ً‬ ‫وهو عدد األشخاص الذين هاجروا من لبنان‪ ،‬وهو أمر يصعب‬ ‫الفقر والعمالة وفرص العمل‪ .‬تمر البالد بإحدى أسوأ األزمات‬ ‫توفر البيانات الرسمية‪ .3‬ليست الهجرة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ا لعدم‬ ‫تقديره بدقة نظر ً‬ ‫االقتصادية والمالية على مستوى العالم منذ منتصف القرن‬ ‫بظاهرة جديدة‪ ،‬وللبنان تاري�خ طوي�ل في هجرة مواطنيه إلى خارج‬ ‫التاسع عشر‪ .‬وأدت الت�أثيرات المتفاقمة النخفاض قيمة العملة‬ ‫أن الزيادة األخيرة في معدالت الهجرة منذ العام ‪2019‬‬‫البالد‪ .‬إال ّ‬ ‫المحلية وعدم استقرارها‪ ،‬واإلرتفاع المستمر في أسعار الوقود‬ ‫ملحوظة بحجمها وسرعة حدوثها‪ ،‬ما أثار مخاوف بشأن هجرة‬ ‫والمواد الغذائية‪ ،‬والظروف الصحية الصعبة التي فرضتها جائحة‬ ‫األدمغة واآلثار االقتصادية واالجتماعية الطويلة األمد على‬ ‫كوفيد‪ ،19-‬في دفع عدد متزايد من األسر إلى الفقر والبطالة‬ ‫كبيرة على قطاعات رئيسية‪ ،‬مثل‬ ‫ً‬ ‫البالد‪ .‬وقد بدأ ذلك يفرض قيود ً‬ ‫ا‬ ‫و الخمول االقتصادي‪ .‬حتى قبل بدء األزمة في عام ‪ 2019‬كانت‬ ‫الرعاية حيث أدت الهجرة إلى تراجع في تقديم الخدمات‪.‬‬ ‫البالد تواجه تحديات كبيرة في سوق العمل بما في ذلك نمو‬ ‫غير منشئ للعمالة ‪ ،‬وانخفاض معدالت المشاركة في القوى‬ ‫مدر للدخل‪،‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫في لبنان‪ ،‬ال يشارك معظم النساء في أي نشاط‬ ‫العاملة (خاصة بين النساء)‪ ،‬وارتفاع معدالت البطالة (خاصة بين‬ ‫ا أو عاطالت عن العمل‪ .‬ويظهر‬ ‫كونهن إما غير ناشطات اقتصادي ً‬ ‫الشباب)‪ ،‬وعدم التطابق بين المهارات ومتطلبات سوق العمل‪.‬‬ ‫أحدث مسح للقوى العاملة أجرته إدارة اإلحصاء المركزي (في‬ ‫عالوة على ذلك‪ ،‬كان العاملون يعملون في الغالب في وظائف‬ ‫متابعة لمسح القوى العاملة)‪ 4‬أن ‪ 78‬في المئة من‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عام ‪2022‬‬ ‫منخفضة األجر (القطاع غير الرسمي) ومنخفضة اإلنتاجية‪ .‬ومنذ‬ ‫النساء في لبنان خارج القوى العاملة – وبالتالي فإن ‪ 22‬في‬ ‫بدء األزمات‪ ،‬ازداد انعدام الوظائف (البطالة و الخمول االقتصادي)‬ ‫ا‪ .‬أما بالنسبة الى الرجال‪،‬‬‫المئة منهن فقط ناشطات اقتصادي ً‬ ‫بين السكان في سن العمل بسبب التسري�ح أو ترك األشخاص‬ ‫فالوضع معاكس‪ ،‬حيث يعتبر ‪ 66‬في المئة ناشطين اقتصادي ً‬ ‫ا و‪34‬‬ ‫لوظائفهم وإغالق عدد كبير من الشركات‪ ،‬وارتفعت معدالت‬ ‫في المئة غير ناشطين‪ .‬باإلضافة إلى ذلك‪ 33 ،‬في المئة من‬ ‫العمالة في القطاع غير الرسمي‪ .‬وإن الخمول االقتصادي‬ ‫مقارنة ب ‪28‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫هن عاطالت عن العمل –‬ ‫ا َ‬‫النساء الناشطات اقتصادي ً‬ ‫المرتفع بين اللبناني�ين يستنزف االقتصاد وال يستقطب رأس المال‬ ‫ا من النساء تندرج‬‫أن نسبة صغيرة جد ً‬ ‫في المئة من الرجال‪ .‬كما ّ‬ ‫البشري في البالد بشكل كاف أو يسمح بنموه‪ .‬باإلضافة إلى‬ ‫ضمن القوى العاملة المحتملة‪.5‬‬ ‫ا على العمليات‬ ‫ثر انفجار مرفأ بيروت في آب ‪ 2020‬سلب ً‬ ‫ذلك‪ ،‬فقد أ َ‬ ‫اليومية لعدد كبير من الشركات في العاصمة‪.1‬‬ ‫أدت األزمة االقتصادية والمالية في لبنان منذ العام ‪،2019‬‬ ‫باإلضافة إلى انفجار مرفأ بيروت وجائحة كوفيد‪ ،19-‬إلى تراجع‬ ‫وفي حين أن االتجاهات الديمغرافية قد ادت الى انخفاض في‬ ‫التقدم المحرز على صعيد التمكين االقتصادي للمرأة‪ .‬ويتضح‬ ‫عدد السكان في سن العمل‪ ،‬وبالتالي إنخفاض في معدالت‬ ‫ذلك من نتائج مسحين للقوى العاملة أجرتهما إدارة اإلحصاء‬ ‫القوى العاملة‪ ،‬فإن إعطاء األولوية لالست�ثمار نحو زيادة‬ ‫المركزي (أحدهما تم تنفيذه قبل األزمة في ‪ 20196\2018‬وتم‬ ‫ا لتوسيع العائد‬ ‫مشاركة المرأة في سوق العمل سيكون أساسي ً‬ ‫است�كماله في عام ‪ 2022‬كما هو مذكور أعاله)‪ ،‬إذ يظهر أن معدل‬ ‫الديمغرافي‪ .‬في لبنان‪ ،‬انخفضت معدالت الخصوبة بشكل ملحوظ‬ ‫المشاركة في القوى العاملة بشكل عام قد انخفض بمقدار ست‬ ‫في تسعينيات القرن العشري�ن وقد كانت مستقرة منذ بداية القرن‬ ‫نقاط مئوية‪ ،‬من ‪ 49‬في المئة في اعوام ‪ 2018-2019‬إلى ‪43‬‬ ‫‪2‬‬ ‫الواحد والعشري�ن بمعدل طفلين لكل امرأة‪ .‬وفي غضون عقدين‬ ‫في المئة في عام ‪ .2022‬وانخفض معدل المشاركة في القوى‬ ‫المتوقع بشكل مضطرد من ‪ 75‬إلى ‪ .79‬تؤثر‬ ‫ارتفع متوسط العمر‬ ‫َ‬ ‫العاملة لدى الرجال من ‪ 70‬في المئة في اعوام ‪2019\2018‬‬ ‫هذه االتجاهات على عدد السكان في سن العمل‪ ،‬وبالتالي تؤثر‬ ‫إلى ‪ 66‬في المئة في عام ‪ ،2022‬بينما انخفض معدل المشاركة‬ ‫على حجم القوى العاملة وعدد السكان الذين تعيلهم القوى‬ ‫في القوى العاملة لدى النساء من ‪ 29‬في المئة في اعوام‬ ‫ا‬ ‫العاملة‪ .‬شهد عدد السكان في سن العمل (‪ 15-64‬عاما) تزايد ً‬ ‫‪ 2019\2018‬إلى ‪ 22‬في المئة في عام ‪ .2022‬ويتضح ذلك أيض ً‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا أن يشهد لبنان تحوالً‬ ‫ا حتى عام ‪ ،2015‬وكان ما يزال ممكن ً‬‫مستمر ً‬ ‫ا والذي شمل شركات‬ ‫في المسح الذي أجراه البنك الدولي مؤخر ً‬ ‫ا يسمح له باالستفادة من العائد الديمغرافي‪ .‬هذا‬ ‫ديمغرافي ً‬ ‫أن صافي فقدان الوظائف لدى‬ ‫في القطاع الرسمي‪ ،‬إذ ّ‬ ‫تبين ّ‬ ‫يعني أن نسبة كبيرة (ومتزايدة) من السكان كانت ستصبح في‬ ‫النساء أعلى بـ ‪ 5‬نقاط مئوية مما هو عليه لدى الرجال‪ .‬ويندرج‬ ‫سن العمل‪ ،‬وبالتالي‪ ،‬فإن حجم القوى العاملة كان سيستمر‬ ‫ثل فيه النساء أقل من ثلث إجمالي القوى‬ ‫ذلك في سياق تم ِّ‬ ‫في التزايد‪ .‬و لكن‪ ،‬بين عامي ‪ 2015‬و‪ ،2021‬انخفض عدد السكان‬ ‫العاملة بدوام كامل في الشركات التي شملها المسح‪.7‬‬ ‫كب قدره ‪ 3.5‬في‬ ‫في سن العمل بمتوسط معدل نمو سنوي مر َّ‬ ‫‪https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/what-mega-crises-have-done-lebanese-firms-and-workers‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫تستند البيانات السكانية إلى أرقام التوقعات السكانية العالمية لألمم المتحدة؛ تستند معدالت الخصوبة وأرقام متوسط العمر المتوقع إلى قاعدة بيانات البنك‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪2‬‬ ‫الدولي‪.‬‬ ‫قــدرت بيانــات إدارة الشــؤون االقتصاديــة واالجتماعيــة التابعــة لألمــم المتحــدة أن صافــي الهجــرة فــي العــام ‪ 2022‬ســيبلغ ‪ 115,100 -‬وســوف يبلــغ العــدد اإلجمالــي‬ ‫‪3‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫للمهاجريــ�ن فــي منتصــف عــام ‪ 856,800 ،2020‬شــخص ً‬ ‫ا‪.‬‬ ‫‪http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php/latest-news-en/201-labour-force‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪4‬‬ ‫القوى العاملة المحتملة‪ :‬العاطلين عن العمل الذين يبحثون عن عمل (األشخاص الذين ليس لديهم عمل والذين يبحثون عن عمل ولكنهم غير متاحين) واالشخاص‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪5‬‬ ‫المتاحين الذين من المحتمل ان يبحثون عن العمل (األشخاص الذين ليس لديهم عمل والذين ال يبحثون عن عمل ولكنهم متاحون)‪.‬‬ ‫‪http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/Publications/Labour%20Force%20and%20Household%20Living%20Conditions%20Survey%202018-2019.pdf‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪6‬‬ ‫‪https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/what-mega-crises-have-done-lebanese-firms-and-workers‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪12 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY‬‬ ‫ا لتقري�ر البنك الدولي حول دول المشرق الذي تم نشره مؤخر ً‬ ‫ا‬ ‫وفق ً‬ ‫تسجل النساء غير المتزوجات الالتي ليس لديهن أطفال معدالت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫بعنوان « من يقدم الرعاية؟ ‪ -‬اعمال الرعاية ونتائج سوق العمل‬ ‫تسجل النساء‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫بينما‬ ‫العاملة‪،‬‬ ‫القوى‬ ‫في‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ً‬ ‫نسبي‬ ‫أعلى‬ ‫مشاركة‬ ‫للمرأة في العراق واألردن ولبنان»‪ ،14‬إن تحسين فرص الوصول الى‬ ‫المتزوجات‪ ،‬والسيما الالتي لديهن أطفال دون سن المدرسة‪،‬‬ ‫خدمات رعاية األطفال في لبنان يؤدي إلى تحسين فرص مشاركة‬ ‫أدنى معدالت المشاركة في القوى العاملة‪ .8‬ووفق ً‬ ‫ا لتقري�ر وضع‬ ‫أمهات صغار األطفال في سوق العمل‪ ،‬وي�ؤثر بالتالي بدرجة‬ ‫المرأة في لبنان‪ ،9‬فإن معدالت مشاركة اإلناث تصل إلى ذروتها‬ ‫كبيرة على مشاركة المرأة في القوى العاملة‪ .‬في لبنان‪ ،‬يمكن‬ ‫لدى النساء في منتصف العشرينيات والثالثينيات من العمر‪ ،‬ولكن‬ ‫أن تزداد مشاركة المرأة في القوى العاملة بنسبة ‪ 2.1‬نقطة‬ ‫تنخفض هذه النسبة حتى الخمسينيات من العمر‪ .‬وترتبط هذه‬ ‫توفر المزيد من خدمات رعاية األطفال المدفوعة‪ ،‬و‪6.7‬‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫مئوية إذا‬ ‫ا بحقيقة أن المرأة‬‫ثقة في األدبيات‪ ،‬عموم ً‬ ‫العالقة السلبية‪ ،‬المو ّ‬ ‫نقطة مئوية في حالة زيادة توفُّ ر خدمات رعاية األطفال المجانية‪.‬‬ ‫ا زمنية غير متناسبة بسبب المسؤوليات األسرية‪.‬‬ ‫تواجه قيود ً‬ ‫فإن توسيع نطاق تغطية خدمات رعاية األطفال‬ ‫َ‬ ‫باإلضافة إلى ذلك‪،‬‬ ‫باإلضافة إلى الوقت الذي تقضيه المرأة في األعمال المنزلية‪،‬‬ ‫في لبنان لتشمل ‪ ٪25‬من األطفال من عمر صفر الى ثالث سنوات‪،‬‬ ‫ا‬‫تقضي المرأة في لبنان ما معدله أكثر من خمس ساعات يومي ً‬ ‫معدل مقدمي الرعاية لكل طفل هو ‪ 1‬لكل ‪ 5‬أطفال‪،‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ان‬ ‫مع افتراض ّ‬ ‫في رعاية األطفال‪ ،‬بينما يقضي الرجال في المتوسط أقل من‬ ‫سيخلق هذا التدخل حوالي ‪ 9,200‬فرصة عمل لمقدمي الرعاية‬ ‫ساعتين‪ .10‬ويشير تقري�ر الباروميتر العربي لعام ‪ 2021‬للبنان‪ ،‬الى‬ ‫ان الخدمات‬‫(سيرتفع هذا العدد إلى ‪ 13,400‬فرصة عمل إذا اعتبرنا ّ‬ ‫أن أبرز ثالثة عوائق ذكرها المواطنين اللبناني�ين التي تحول دون‬ ‫أن‬‫ّ‬ ‫كما‬ ‫سنوات)‪.‬‬ ‫ستشمل ‪ % 35‬من األطفال من عمر صفر إلى ‪3‬‬ ‫مشاركة المرأة في القوى العاملة هي عوائق بنيوية وتشمل‪:‬‬ ‫إشراك جميع الموظفين المختصين في المناصب اإلدارية لدور‬ ‫عدم توفر خيارات لرعاية األطفال (‪ 69‬في المئة)‪ ،‬تليها األجور‬ ‫الحضانة يعزز من إمكانية خلق فرص العمل‪.‬‬ ‫توفر وسائل النقل (‪ 47‬في‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫المتدنية (‪ 54‬في المئة) وعدم‬ ‫المئة)‪ .‬أما العائقان اآلخران فهما ثقافيان‪ :‬إعطاء الرجال األولوية‬ ‫وتشير البيانات أيض ً‬ ‫ا الى أن االست�ثمار الجيد في الرعاية والتعليم‬ ‫ا‬ ‫لدى التوظيف‪ ،‬وكون أماكن العمل المختلطة تسبب مشكلة نظر ً‬ ‫في مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة (‪ )ECCE‬له ت�أثير ملحوظ على النمو‬ ‫ا إلى جنب مع الرجال‪.11‬‬ ‫لعمل النساء جنب ً‬ ‫ا على‬ ‫المعرفي واالجتماعي والعاطفي لألطفال وي�ؤثر أيض ً‬ ‫المحصالت على المدى الطوي�ل‪ .‬تؤدي زيادة فرص الوصول إلى‬ ‫اعتبر ستون بالمئة من أمهات األطفال صغار السن اللواتي‬ ‫خدمات الرعاية والتعليم في مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة إلى تحسين‬ ‫أن مسؤوليات رعاية االطفال» هي‬ ‫شملهن المسح في لبنان « ّ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫اإلعداد المدرسي‪ ،‬وتحسين نتائج التغذية‪ ،‬وزيادة احتمال إتمام‬ ‫السبب الرئيسي لعدم مشاركتهن في القوى العاملة‪ .‬ومع ذلك‪،‬‬ ‫التورط في جرائم األحداث على المدى‬‫ُ‬ ‫المرحلة الثانوية‪ ،‬والحد من‬ ‫تشير البيانات إلى تدني مستوى االلتحاق بخدمات رعاية األطفال‬ ‫القصير والمتوسط‪ .‬وعلى المدى الطوي�ل ستؤدي فرص الوصول‬ ‫ا إلى نتائج المسح األسري الذي‬ ‫ومحدودية استخدامها‪ ،‬استناد ً‬ ‫الى هذه الخدمات إلى تحسين نتائج التعليم والتعلم مدى‬ ‫توفر خدمات‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أجري لغرض هذا التقي�يم‪ .‬وقد يعكس ذلك محدودية‬ ‫الحياة‪ ،‬وفرص العمل وكسب الدخل‪ ،‬وتحسين الصحة والسلوكيات‪،‬‬ ‫ا عدم رغبة األسر في‬ ‫رعاية األطفال (العرض)‪ ،‬ولكنه يعكس أيض ً‬ ‫‪15‬‬ ‫وأنخفاظ االعتماد على نظم المساعدة االجتماعية‪.‬‬ ‫استخدام خدمات رعاية األطفال بسبب تفضيل الرعاية المنزلية‬ ‫(الطلب)‪ ،‬أو عدم توافق العرض والطلب على خدمات رعاية‬ ‫تقارن هذه الدراسة متعددة األساليب ترتيبات الرعاية واحتياجات‬ ‫األطفال (الكلفة‪ ،‬النوعية‪ ،‬الموقع‪ ،‬من بين أمور أخرى)‪.‬‬ ‫األسر التي لديها أطفال صغار السن في لبنان بخدمات رعاية‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫المتوفرة في البالد‪ .‬وتجمع الدراسة بيانات جديدة وتوثق‬ ‫األطفال‬ ‫للمشاركة االقتصادية للمرأة وتوظيفها صلة مباشرة بخدمات‬ ‫الممارسات والمعاي�ير والسلوكيات المتعلقة باحتياجات الرعاية‪،‬‬ ‫رعاية األطفال ذات الجودة العالية وبأسعار معقولة‪ .‬وعلى‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫وموفرات رعاية‪.‬‬ ‫مع التركيز على دور النساء كمقدمات رعاية‬ ‫الرغم من أختالف نطاق مزايا رعاية األطفال بين بلد وآخر‪ ،‬تشير‬ ‫كز التحليل على الخدمات الرسمية المسجلة لألطفال في الفئة‬ ‫وي�ر ّ‬ ‫توفر خدمات رعاية األطفال ذات الجودة العالية‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫البيانات إلى أن‬ ‫العمرية من صفر الى ثالث سنوات ويتظمن جمع البيانات األولية‬ ‫يؤثر بشكل إي�جابي على مشاركة المرأة في القوى العاملة‪،‬‬ ‫حول كل من الطلب والعرض في مجال رعاية األطفال‪.‬‬ ‫والتوظيف‪ ،‬وساعات العمل؛ في كل من البلدان المتقدمة‬ ‫والنامية على السواء‪ 12.‬وعلى القدر ذاته من األهمية‪ ،‬فإن‬ ‫وبالنظر إلى األزمات المتعددة التي شهدها لبنان على مدى‬ ‫ا‬ ‫توسيع نطاق توفير خدمات رعاية األطفال يمكن أن يخلق أيض ً‬ ‫السنوات الماضية‪ ،‬أصبحت الشركات المتوسطة والكبيرة في‬ ‫فرص عمل جديدة للمرأة في هذا القطاع‪.13‬‬ ‫(‪ )i‬مجموعة البنك الدولي‪ .)2020( ،‬المشاركة االقتصادية للمرأة في العراق واألردن ولبنان‪ .‬وضع المرأة الرائدة في المشرق ‪ )ii( .1‬البنك الدولي وهيئة األمم المتحدة‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪8‬‬ ‫للمرأة‪ .2021 .‬وضع المرأة في لبنان‪ :‬تقي�يم وصول المرأة إلى الفرص االقتصادية وتراكم رأس المال البشري والنتائج‪ .‬واشنطن العاصمة‪ :‬البنك الدولي‪.‬‬ ‫مجموعة البنك الدولي‪ .)2020( ،‬المشاركة االقتصادية للمرأة في العراق واألردن ولبنان‪ .‬وضع المرأة الرائدة في المشرق ‪.1‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪10‬‬ ‫ البنك الدولي وهيئة األمم المتحدة للمرأة‪ .2021 .‬وضع المرأة في لبنان‪ :‬تقي�يم وصول المرأة إلى الفرص االقتصادية وتراكم رأس المال البشري والنتائج‪ .‬واشنطن‬ ‫العاصمة‪ :‬البنك الدولي‬ ‫‪https://www.arabbarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Opinion-Lebanon-Country-Report-2021-En-1.pdf‬‬ ‫ ‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫ على سبيل المثال ‪ ،‬في البلدان ذو الدخل المنخفض والمتوسط (حليم‪ ،‬بتروفا‪ ،‬ورينولد ‪ ، )2021‬وكذلك في المناطق الحضرية في األرجنتين (برلينسكي وغلياني ‪،)2007‬‬ ‫‪12‬‬ ‫البرازي�ل (باروس وأل؛ دوتش ‪ ،)1998‬وكندا (لوفيبر‪ ،‬ميريغن‪ ،‬وفرستريتي ‪ ،)2009‬والمناطق الريفية في كولومبيا (اتناسيو وفيرا هرنندز ‪ ،)2004‬واالتحاد األوروبي (دل بوكا‬ ‫ولوكاتيللي ‪ ،)2006‬واليابان (وأساي‪ ،‬وكمبفاشي وياماغوتشي ‪ ،)2015‬ورومانيا (فونغ و لوكشين ‪ ،)2000‬واالتحاد الروسي (لوكشين ‪ ،)2004‬وتركيا (البنك الدولي ‪. )2015‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬ ‫ ديفرشيللي و بيتن‪-‬دي‪.2020 ،‬‬ ‫‪14‬‬ ‫ ريديلي‪ ،‬سيلفيا؛ لنو ‪ ،‬أنوكريتي؛ بويتراغو هيرنانديز‪ ،‬ساندرا باوال؛ إسماعيل‪ ،‬تاال‪ .‬حالة المرأة الرائدة في المشرق‪ :‬من يقدم الرعاية؟ ‪ -‬اعمال الرعاية و نتائج سوق العمل‬ ‫للمرأة في العراق و األردن و لبنان‪ .‬واشنطن العاصمة‪ :‬مجموعة البنك الدولي ‪http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099000502222338765/P16815701c� .‬‬ ‫‪336d00e095dc093ef29af40a7‬‬ ‫‪15‬‬ ‫ انظر ‪ ،‬من بين مراجعات أخرى‪( ،‬دوكان ومانيوسون ‪ )2013 ،‬و( كاميللي وبرنيت‪ ،‬ريان‪ ،‬فرغس‪ )2010 ،‬للحصول على أدلة في الواليات المتحدة‪ ( ،‬نورز وبرنيت‪ )2010 ،‬لمراجعة‬ ‫األدلة الدولية خارج الواليات المتحدة وكندا‪( ،‬منظمة التعاون االقتصادي والتنمية‪ )2006 ،‬و (منظمة التعاون االقتصادي والتنمية‪ )2017 ،‬للحصول على أدلة في دول‬ ‫منظمة التعاون االقتصادي والتنمية‪ ،‬في اآلونة األخيرة‪ ( ،‬ديفرشللي وبيتن‪-‬دي‪ )2020 ،‬للحصول على أدلة في البلدان النامية‪ ،‬و(كاديما‪ ،‬ناتا‪ ،‬باروس‪ ،‬وباراتا‪)2020 ،‬‬ ‫للحصول على أدلة تركز على األطفال دون سن الثالث سنوات‪.‬‬ ‫‪ 13‬يذيفنتلا صخلملا‬ ‫المثال‪ ،‬يوجد في قضاء عكار في الشمال‪ ،‬الذي يضم ثالث أكبر نسبة‬ ‫القطاع الخاص تعطي األولوية للصمود في وجه هذه االزمات‬ ‫من األطفال من صفر الى ثالث سنوات (‪ 9‬في المئة)‪ 11 ،‬مقدم‬ ‫على إتباع سياسات مالئمة لألسرة ورعاية األطفال‪ .‬كما ذكرنا‬ ‫خدمات فقط‪ .‬ومع ذلك‪ ،‬نجد في قضائي بعبدا والمتن الساحلي�ين‬ ‫ا على طبيعة األعمال التجارية في‬ ‫سابق ً‬ ‫ا‪ ،‬فقد ألقت األزمات عبئ ً‬ ‫ا مماثلة من السكان الذين ت�تراوح أعمارهم بين‬‫اللذين يسجالن نسب ً‬ ‫لبنان‪ ،‬ما تسبب في انكماش شديد في النشاط االقتصادي إلى‬ ‫ا أكبر بكثير من مقدمي الخدمات العاملين‬‫صفر وثالث سنوات‪ ،‬عدد ً‬ ‫جانب انخفاض الطلب على السلع والخدمات‪ ،‬وبالتالي تقليص‬ ‫في المنطقة (‪ 71‬و‪ 81‬مقدم خدمات‪ ،‬على التوالي)‪.‬‬ ‫حجم الشركات المتوسطة والكبيرة وتسريحها لعدد كبير من‬ ‫العمال(مجموعة البنك الدولي‪ ،‬منطقة الشرق األوسط وشمال‬ ‫‪ -3‬وباإلضافة إلى ذلك‪ ،‬فإن توفير خدمات رعاية األطفال موجه‬ ‫أفريقيا‪ .)2021 ،‬بالنسبة إلى بعض الشركات‪ ،‬أتاحت جائحة كوفيد‪19-‬‬ ‫نحو الفئة العمرية من سنة الى ثالث سنوات وثمة فجوة في‬ ‫فرصة لتحسين استراتيجيتها وهيكلها التنظيمي وسياساتها‬ ‫توفير الخدمة لألطفال دون عمر السنة‪ .‬نظر ً‬ ‫ا لكون إجازة األمومة‬ ‫وتعزز‬ ‫الداخلية بما فيها تلك التي تدعم اولياء االمور العاملين‬ ‫َ‬ ‫مدفوعة األجر في لبنان هي ‪ 10‬أسابيع فقط‪ ،‬ولعدم وجود‬ ‫التوازن بين العمل والحياة الشخصية‪.‬‬ ‫إجازة أبوة مدفوعة األجر‪ ،‬يشير ذلك إلى وجود ثغرة بالنسبة إلى‬ ‫األهل الذين يريدون و‪ /‬أو يحتاجون إلى العودة إلى العمل بعد‬ ‫على خلفية جائحة كوفيد‪ ،19-‬إن تعزي�ز السياسات المراعية لألسرة‬ ‫انتهاء اإلجازة مدفوعة األجر‪ .‬ويعمل معظم مقدمي الخدمات‬ ‫ورعاية األطفال يمكن أن يدعم هدف الحكومة اللبنانية المتمثل‬ ‫من االثنين إلى الجمعة‪ ،‬ويقدم نصف الذين شملهم المسح فقط‬ ‫في زيادة نسبة مشاركة المرأة في القوى العاملة بنسبة ‪5‬‬ ‫الخدمات بعد الساعة ‪ 3‬من بعد الظهر‪.‬‬ ‫نقاط مئوية على مدى السنوات الخمس المقبلة (خطة العمل‬ ‫الوطنية للتمكين االقتصادي للمرأة‪ .)2019 ،‬وتبين دراسات الحالة‬ ‫‪ -4‬كان لألزمة االقتصادية في لبنان ت�أثير شديد على مقدمي‬ ‫أعدتها مؤسسة التموي�ل الدولية (‪ )IFC‬في العديد من‬ ‫التي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫تحمل ت�كاليف‬ ‫َ‬ ‫خدمات رعاية األطفال وكذلك على القدرة على‬ ‫البلدان النامية أن الوصول إلى خدمات و‪/‬أو مزايا رعاية األطفال‬ ‫هذه الخدمات واستدامتها‪ ،‬بسبب انخفاض دخل األسرة وزيادة‬ ‫الجيدة وبأسعار مناسبة يساهم في مشاركة المرأة في القوى‬ ‫ت�كلفة الخدمات‪ .‬ووفقا للبيانات التي تم جمعها في الفترة بين‬ ‫العاملة‪ ،‬مما يؤدي إلى تحقيق نتائج إي�جابية لألطفال باإلضافة‬ ‫كانون الثاني‪ /‬يناير وشباط‪ /‬فبراير ‪ ،2023‬فقد أغلق ‪ 9.5‬بالمائة‬ ‫إلى الحفاظ على وجود أولياء أمور ذوي مهارات وكفاءات‬ ‫من مقدمي الخدمات أبوابهم بسبب الت�أثير المضاعف لوباء‬ ‫متنوعة في العمل (مؤسسة التموي�ل الدولية‪.)2017 ،‬‬ ‫كوفيد‪ 19- ‬واألزمة االقتصادية‪ .‬وقد أفاد مقدمو خدمات رعاية‬ ‫األطفال أن عدد العائالت التي تواجه مشكلة في دفع الت�كاليف‬ ‫ا المشمولين‬ ‫اعتبر جميع أصحاب العمل في القطاع الخاص تقري�ب ً‬ ‫ارتفع بين سنة ‪ 2019‬وسنة ‪ .2021‬عالوة على ذلك‪ ،‬يمكن أن يصل‬ ‫في العينة المدروسة انهم على دراية بقوانين العمل اللبنانية‬ ‫متوسط السعر الشهري لخدمة اليوم الكامل إلى ‪ 89‬في المائة‬ ‫(‪ 99‬في المئة) وبقوانين الضمان االجتماعي الوطنية (‪ 96‬في‬ ‫وأدى انخفاض قيمة العملة المحلية‬ ‫َ‬ ‫من الحد األدنى لألجور‪ .‬كما‬ ‫المئة)‪ .‬كما ثمة امت�ثال شبه عام من قبل الشركات إلجازة األمومة‬ ‫والزيادة الكبيرة في أسعار الوقود إلى اإلضرار بربحية مقدمي‬ ‫مدفوعة األجر لمدة ‪ 10‬أسابيع المنصوص عليها في قانون العمل‬ ‫لل من حوافز الوافدين الجدد لالنضمام إلى‬ ‫الخدمات‪ ،‬ما ق ّ‬ ‫اللبناني‪ .‬في حين أن معظم أصحاب العمل الذين شملهم المسح‬ ‫تصعب على مقدمي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫الخدمة‬ ‫تقديم‬ ‫�كلفة‬ ‫ت‬ ‫زيادة‬ ‫ان‬ ‫القطاع‪ .‬كما َ‬ ‫ا لرعاية األطفال‪ ،‬فإن غالبية شركات القطاع‬ ‫ال يقدمون دعم ً‬ ‫الخدمات الحفاظ على معاي�ير الجودة في الخدمة المقدمة‪.‬‬ ‫الخاص ذكرت أنها ت�تبع سياسات صديقة ومالئمة لألسرة‪ ،‬بما في‬ ‫ذلك إجازات األمومة واألبوة‪ ،‬وترتيبات العمل المرنة‪ ،‬والعمل‬ ‫‪ - 5‬تشير نتائج المسح الذي شمل أهالي األطفال صغار السن‬ ‫عن بعد‪ ،‬ورعاية األطفال المرضى وبرامج العمل‪/‬الحياة‪ ،‬ونظام‬ ‫(الذين ت�تراوح أعمارهم بين صفر وثالث سنوات) إلى أن الطلب‬ ‫تقي�يم إجازة الوالدين‪ ،‬وبرامج دعم العودة من اجازة األمومة‬ ‫على الخدمات منخفض‪ ،‬على الرغم من أنها ال تمثّل على‬ ‫إلى العمل‪ ،‬وغرفة الرضاعة الطبيعية واستراحة الرضاعة لجميع‬ ‫المستوى الوطني‪ 16‬األسر التي لديها أطفال صغار السن‪ .‬وتظهر‬ ‫الموظفين‪.‬‬ ‫البيانات التي تم جمعها من دور الحضانة بين كانون الثاني‪/‬يناير‬ ‫وشباط‪ /‬فبراير ‪ 2023‬أن متوسط االستخدام مقابل سعة دور‬ ‫تنبثق الرسائل الرئيسية التالية من تقي�يم خدمات رعاية األطفال‬ ‫ا على عدد المقاعد‬ ‫الحضانة (أي عدد األطفال المسجلين مقسوم ً‬ ‫في لبنان‪:‬‬ ‫المتاحة) هو ‪ 58‬بالمئة للفئة العمرية بين صفر وخمس سنوات‪.17‬‬ ‫كما أن ‪ 10‬بالمئة فقط من دور الحضانة تعمل بكامل طاقتها‬ ‫‪ .1‬إن توفير خدمات رعاية األطفال في لبنان هو في غالبيته من‬ ‫االستعابية‪ .‬في معظم األسر التي شملها المسح‪ ،‬الوالدان هما‬ ‫ا في المناطق الساحلية التي‬ ‫قبل القطاع الخاص ويتركز جغرافي ً‬ ‫مقدموا الرعاية الوحيدان وال يحصالن على اي مساعدة إضافية‪.‬‬ ‫ت�كون فيها فرص العمل المتاحة للمرأة أكثر وفرة؛ أما في‬ ‫ا‪ ،‬وخاصة الجدات‪،‬‬ ‫�توفر الخدمات بشكل محدود‪.‬‬‫المناطق البعيدة عن الساحل‪ ،‬فت َ‬ ‫في العديد من األسر يساعد أفراد األسرة أحيان ً‬ ‫ولكن ليس بطريقة منتظمة‪ .‬وت�كون األمهات العامالت (ألطفال‬ ‫�بين المسح أن معظم المرافق بتم تشغيلها من قبل القطاع‬ ‫وي ّ‬ ‫ا إلستخدام خدمات الرعاية النظامية‬ ‫الخاص‪ 81( ،‬في المئة)‪ ،‬تليها المؤسسات الدينية (‪ 7‬في المئة)‪،‬‬ ‫صغار السن) أكثر استعداد ً‬ ‫(الرسمية) في مراكز خدمات الرعاية المعتمدة بدل الرعاية غير‬ ‫والمنظمات غير الربحية (‪ 6‬في المئة) والقطاع العام (‪ 6‬في‬ ‫النظامية‪ ،‬مقارنة باألمهات العاطالت عن العمل أو غير المشاركات‬ ‫المئة‪ ،‬بشكل رئيسي من قبل وزارة الشؤون االجتماعية)‪.‬‬ ‫في القوى العاملة‪ .‬وبشكل عام‪ ،‬ان أكثر من نصف األسر التي‬ ‫‪ .2‬هناك عدم تطابق بين العرض من مقدمي الخدمات في مراكز‬ ‫شملها المسح والتي لديها أطفال صغار السن (‪ 57‬في المئة)‬ ‫الرعاية عبر كافة األقضية والطلب المحتمل (السكان الذين يحتمل‬ ‫لم ت�كن على استعداد لدفع ت�كاليف رعاية األطفال‪ ،‬مقابل حوالي‬ ‫ا لنسبة السكان في الفئة‬‫أن يطلبوا خدمات رعاية األطفال) وفق ً‬ ‫‪ 20‬في المئة من االسر كانت على استعداد للدفع‪ .‬ومع ذلك‪،‬‬ ‫العمرية من صفر الى ثالث سنوات لكل قضاء (منطقة)‪ .‬على سبيل‬ ‫أقر معظم المشاركين في المناقشات الجماعية المركزة بمنافع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫‪16‬‬ ‫ يرجى الرجوع إلى القسم الخاص بالمنهجية للحصول على تفاصيل حول اختيار األسر التي لديها أطفال صغار السن والتي تمت مقابلتها‪.‬‬ ‫ تم حساب استخدام السعة باستخدام البيانات المحدثة التي تم جمعها من المسح الذي تم إجراؤه بين كانون الثاني‪ /‬يناير وشباط‪ /‬فبراير ‪ 2023‬والذي يغطي ّ‬ ‫عينة من‬ ‫‪17‬‬ ‫‪ 228‬حضانة تم اختيارها عشوائيا ‪.n = 509‬‬ ‫‪14 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY‬‬ ‫تغطية جزء من الرسوم‪ ،‬وتقديم إعانة مباشرة للموظفين لرعاية‬ ‫الرعاية ذات الجودة العالية في دور الحضانة التي تساعد في‬ ‫األطفال‪ ،‬وتوفير رعاية نهارية في موقع العمل تديرها منظمة‬ ‫النمو االجتماعي والعاطفي والتربوي لألطفال‪.‬‬ ‫غير حكومية بالشراكة مع القطاع العام‪ .‬أما نسبة ال ‪ 95‬في‬ ‫المئة المتبقية فال تقدم حلوالً لرعاية أطفال الموظفين‪ ،‬ومن‬ ‫‪ -6‬يواجه معظم النساء الالتي لديهن أطفال صغار السن‬ ‫ضمنها‪ ،‬ثمة ‪ 15‬في المئة فقط على استعداد للنظر في توفير‬ ‫صعوبات في االنضمام إلى القوى العاملة ومواصلة العمل إما‬ ‫حلول لرعاية األطفال في المستقبل‪ .‬وت�تنوع األسباب الكامنة‬ ‫بسبب احتياجات رعاية األطفال والمسؤوليات المنزلية أو بسبب‬ ‫وراء إحجام الشركات عن توفير حلول لرعاية أطفال موظفيها‪.‬‬ ‫أمهات بدوام‬ ‫يكن َ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫األعراف االجتماعية التي ت�توقع منهن أن‬ ‫فقد أفاد نصف أصحاب العمل الذين شملهم المسح والذين ال‬ ‫منهن‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫يتوق‬ ‫َ‬ ‫المجتمع‬ ‫األمهات العامالت الى أن‬‫َّ‬ ‫كامل‪ .‬وتشير‬ ‫يقدمون رعاية األطفال أن عدد الموظفين الذين لديهم أطفال‬ ‫ا يتمثل في العمل مدفوع األجر والعمل‬ ‫ً‬ ‫مزدوج‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عبئ‬ ‫يتحملن‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫أن‬ ‫ت�تراوح أعمارهم بين صفر وخمس سنوات في شركتهم منخفض‬ ‫المنزلي‪ .‬خالل المناقشات الجماعية المركزة التي أجريت كجزء‬ ‫لدرجة ينتفي معها المبرر إليجاد حل لرعاية األطفال‪ ،‬يليهم أكثر‬ ‫من هذه الدراسة‪ ،‬ذكرت كل من األمهات العامالت وغير العامالت‬ ‫من الثلث بقليل أفادوا بعدم وجود نية لتحمل المسؤولية‪ ،‬في‬ ‫على السواء الخوف من الفشل في ت�أدية دور األم في رعاية‬ ‫حين أشار حوالي الثلث إلى عدم تلقي طلب من موظفيهم إليجاد‬ ‫أطفالها وت�أمين رفاهية األسرة‪ .‬كما أبدت النساء العامالت خوف ً‬ ‫ا‬ ‫حلول لرعاية األطفال‪ .‬ومن األمثلة حول أنواع السياسات الصديقة‬ ‫من انتقاد المجتمع‪ .‬وثمة اعتقاد سائد بأنه ال يمكن االستعاضة‬ ‫(المالئمة) لألسرة المقدمة‪ :‬إجازات األمومة واألبوة‪ ،‬ترتيبات‬ ‫عن رعاية األمهات لألطفال صغار السن‪ ،‬وأنه ينبغي بالتالي‬ ‫العمل المرنة‪ ،‬العمل عن بعد‪ ،‬رعاية األطفال المرضى وبرامج‬ ‫أن ت�كون األم هي مقدمة الرعاية الرئيسية‪ .‬ومن بين األمهات‬ ‫العمل‪/‬الحياة‪ ،‬نظام تقي�يم االجازة الوالدية‪ ،‬برامج دعم عودة‬ ‫شملهن المسح‪ ،‬وافق ‪ 58‬في المئة على أن االعتناء‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫اللواتي‬ ‫األم إلى العمل‪ ،‬وغرفة الرضاعة الطبيعية واستراحة الرضاعة‪.‬‬ ‫ا عن العمل مقابل أجر‪ ،‬بينما أعرب‬ ‫بالمنزل أو األسرة ال يقل شأن ً‬ ‫‪ 79‬بالمئة من األمهات الالتي شملهن المسح عن ارتياحهن إزاء‬ ‫‪ -8‬ال توجد في لبنان سياسة واستراتيجية شاملة لرعاية الطفل‬ ‫توزيع مسؤوليات رعاية األطفال في األسرة‪.‬‬ ‫تفصل األهداف وخطط التنفيذ والميزانية‪ .‬وتقتصر القوانين‬ ‫ِّ‬ ‫دم غالبية أصحاب العمل في القطاع الخاص سياسات‬ ‫‪ -7‬في حين يق ِ‬ ‫المتعلقة برعاية األطفال على الترخيص‪ .‬عالوة على ذلك‪ ،‬تنطبق‬ ‫ا على مقدمي الخدمات من القطاع الخاص‬ ‫ا منهم فقط يقدم‬ ‫ا محدود ً‬ ‫أن عدد ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫إال‬ ‫لألسرة‪،‬‬ ‫(مالئمة)‬ ‫صديقة‬ ‫قوانين الترخيص حصر ً‬ ‫ا الخدمات المقدمة في المراكز‪،‬‬ ‫ا لرعاية األطفال‪ ،‬وذلك على الرغم من ثبوت ت�أثيره اإليجابي‬ ‫دعم ً‬ ‫(غير الحكومي) وتغطي حصر ً‬ ‫منظم‪ .‬وتركز معاي�ير‬ ‫في حين يظل توفير الخدمات المنزلية غير‬ ‫وتغيبهم عن العمل‪.‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫وإنتاجيتهم‬ ‫بالموظفين‬ ‫االحتفاظ‬ ‫على‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫الجودة الدنيا القانونية بشكل أساسي على الجودة البنيوية (بما‬ ‫ا إلى عينة من ‪ 100‬شركة‪ ،‬تقدم ‪ 5‬بالمئة منها فقط‬ ‫واستناد ً‬ ‫ا مع معاي�ير منظمة التعاون االقتصادي والتنمية)‬ ‫حلول رعاية األطفال للموظفين‪ .‬ويشمل النهج المعتمد الشراكة‬ ‫يتماشى نسبي ً‬ ‫وبدرجة أقل على عناصر جودة العمليات‪.‬‬ ‫مع دور الرعاية النهارية االهلية القري�بة من موقع العمل مع‬ ‫اإلطار ‪ :1‬التعريفات الرئيسية المتعلقة برعاية الطفل‬ ‫تسمى بمفردات مختلفة وفق ً‬ ‫ا الختالف البلدان‪ .‬ت�توزع أنواع خدمات رعاية‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يمكن توفير رعاية األطفال في العديد من األماكن المختلفة وهي‬ ‫األطفال ضمن ثالث فئات‪ :‬الرعاية المنزلية‪ ،‬والرعاية في المركز‪ ،‬والترتيبات األسرية المرتجلة وغير مدفوعة األجر‪.‬‬ ‫الرعاية الرسمية‪ :‬تشير إلى الرعاية التي يدفع مقابلها المستفيدون أو أفراد األسرة بدالً‪ .‬يمكن أن تشمل الرعاية المؤسسية (في المركز)‪،‬‬ ‫وكذلك المنزلية (في المنزل)‬ ‫الرعاية المنزلية‪ :‬بشكل عام‪ ،‬تنقسم الرعاية المنزلية إلى نوعين‪ )i( :‬الرعاية من قبل شخص في منزل الطفل نفسه يسمى أحيا ً‬ ‫نا مرب�ية أو عاملة‬ ‫لدى األسرة؛ ((‪ ii‬رعاية األطفال المقدمة لمجموعة من األطفال في منزل مقدم الرعاية‪.‬‬ ‫عموما تسمى المراكز التي تقدم الرعاية لألطفال الصغار دور الرعاية النهارية أو دور الحضانة أو الحضانات‪ .‬ويمكن أن تق ِّ‬ ‫دم‬ ‫ً‬ ‫الرعاية في المركز‪:‬‬ ‫المدارس التمهيدية وروضة األطفال ً‬ ‫أيضا خدمة رعاية األطفال هذه‪.‬‬ ‫ترتيبات الرعاية األسرية وغيرها من الترتيبات غير الرسمية‪ :‬وهي الترتيبات التي تلقي بعبء الرعاية على صديق أو أحد أفراد األسرة‪ .‬يمكن أن‬ ‫يشمل ذلك اصطحاب الطفل إلى العمل أو تركه مع جار أو صديق أو شقيق أو الجد والجدة أو قريب آخر‪ .‬قد يكون هذا النوع من الرعاية لقاء بدل‬ ‫أو ال‪.‬‬ ‫الرعاية والتعليم في مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة (‪ )ECCE‬تشير إلى البرامج التي تهدف إلى التنمية الشاملة الحتياجات الطفل االجتماعية والعاطفية‬ ‫والمعرفية والجسدية من أجل بناء أساس متين وواسع للتعلم مدى الحياة وللرفاهية‪ .‬وتشمل الرعاية والتعليم في مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة (‬ ‫الرعاية الصحية والتغذوية ورعاية الطفل في بيئة سليمة) والتعليم (اللعب والتنشئة االجتماعية والتوجيه واألنشطة التنموية)‪ ،‬ويتم توفيرها‬ ‫بشكل مثالي بطريقة مت�كاملة (اليونسكو ‪ .)2013 ،‬في حين أن الرعاية الجيدة مهمة بالنسبة إلى جميع األطفال‪ ،‬إال أنهم يحتاجون ً‬ ‫أيضا مع‬ ‫لم النظامي لمساعدتهم على اإلعداد للمدرسة االبتدائية (دفيتشللي وبيتن ‪ -‬دي‪.)2020 ،‬‬ ‫تقدمهم في السن إلى المزيد من تجارب التع ّ‬ ‫التعليم في مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة (‪ )ECE‬يساعد األطفال على بناء أسس قوية تدعم التعلم مدى الحياة‪.‬‬ ‫تنمية الطفولة المبكرة (‪ )ECD‬تشمل االست�ثمارات في النمو البدني والمعرفي واللغوي واالجتماعي ‪ -‬العاطفي لألطفال صغار السن – منذ‬ ‫قبل الوالدة وحتى انتقالهم إلى المدرسة االبتدائية‪.‬‬ ‫المصدر‪ :‬تم جمع التعاريف من‪ )i( :‬ديفرشيللي و بيتون‪-‬دي‪2020 ،‬؛ (‪ )ii‬بينديني وديفرشيلي‪2022 ،‬؛ (‪ )iii‬تنمية الطفولة المبكرة‪ -‬الصادرة عن البنك الدولي‪:‬‬ ‫‪https//:www.worldbank.org/en/topic/earlychildhooddevelopment‬‬ ‫‪ 15‬يذيفنتلا صخلملا‬ 1. INTRODUCTION 16 Lebanon faces a significant gender gap in labor A growing body of evidence highlights the critical role force participation, and the gap is even higher that care policies play in addressing the gender gap among married individuals and those with younger in unpaid care work and in improving labor market children. As previously mentioned, only 22 percent outcomes for women. Although the magnitude and of women are in the labor force, compared to 66 of design of care benefits varies among countries, men.19 In addition, despite a relatively high educational evidence indicates that access to affordable attainment with 64 percent of women having nonparental childcare options has a positive effect completed at least secondary studies, the country has on female labor force participation, employment, not seen improvements in the rate of female labor force and work hours; this is true in both developed and participation over the past 10 years. Furthermore, as developing countries.25 Equally important, expanding discussed in the first State of the Mashreq Women the supply of care services can also create new report (World Bank, 2020), in Lebanon, similarly to the employment opportunities for women in the care other Mashreq countries20 studied in the report (Jordan sector.26 and Iraq), unmarried women without children tend to have relatively higher labor force participation rates At the same time, studies also demonstrate that whereas married women and, even more so, married investing in early childhood development has a women with children below schooling age21 tend to significant impact on children’s cognitive and have the lowest rates. This negative relationship, well socioemotional development as well as on longer-term established in the literature, is generally associated outcomes, providing that quality of service is high.27 with the fact that women face disproportionate time These benefits are particularly strong for children in constraints due to family responsibilities. vulnerable households, as they mitigate opportunity gaps at birth and promote intergenerational Several factors come together to constrain female socio-economic mobility. In the short and medium labor force participation,22 and women’s care and term, benefits include improved school readiness, employment choices are embedded within a complex better nutrition outcomes, increased probability of set of economic and socio-cultural factors. Young and completion of secondary, and reduced involvement in more educated women in Lebanon are more likely to juvenile crime. In the long term, benefits include better participate in the labor market. Female participation education outcomes and lifelong learning, improved rates are at their peak in their mid-twenties and employment prospects and earnings, better health- thirties, but then steadily decline until their fifties, seeking and behaviors, and less dependency on social where their share is reduced by half.23 This could assistance systems. be linked to marriage and childbearing ages. Social norms deeply influence gender roles and women’s More broadly, evidence is conclusive that quality agency. Lebanon, similar to other Middle East and childcare services have an important impact on North African (MENA) countries, is characterized by a human capital accumulation, female labor force strong patriarchal gender paradigm24 that emphasizes participation, family welfare, child development, women’s role within the household, men’s role as business productivity, and the overall economy providers, and stigmatizes working mothers. (Figure 1). 19 http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php/latest-news-en/201-labour-force 20 Sometimes spelled Mashreq or Mashrek, for purposes of this report refers to Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon only. 21 The age of entry into the formal education system in Lebanon is 3 years, whereas in Iraq and Jordan it is 4 years. 22 In addition to social norms, this includes limited work opportunities, legal barriers, labor market discrimination, sexual harassment, mobility constraints, and lack of safe public transport. 23 World Bank; UN Women. 2021. The Status of Women in Lebanon : Assessing Women’s Access to Economic Opportunities, Human Capital Accumulation and Agency. World Bank, Washington, DC. © World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/36512” 24 See for example World Bank (2004). Much of the literature refers to this paradigm as the “patriarchal gender contract.” 25 For example, in lower and middle-income countries (Halim, Petrova, and Reynolds 2021) in urban Argentina (Berlinski and Galiani 2007), Brazil (Barros et al. 2011; Deutsch 1998), Canada (Lefebvre, Merrigan, and Verstraete 2009), rural Colombia (Attanasio and Vera-Hernandez 2004), the European Union (Del Boca and Locatelli 2006), Japan (Asai, Kambayashi, and Yamaguchi 2015), Romania (Fong and Lokshin 2000), the Russian Federation (Lokshin 2004), and Turkey (World Bank 2015). 26 See analysis in Devercelli and Beaton-Day, 2020. 27 See among other reviews (Duncan & Magnuson, 2013) and (Camilli, Vargas, Ryan, & Barnett, 2010) for evidence in the U.S., (Nores & Barnett, 2010) for a review of international evidence outside the U.S. and Canada, (OECD, 2006) and (OECD, 2017) for evidence in OECD countries, more recently, (Devercelli & Beaton-Day, 2020) for evidence in developing countries, and (Cadima, Nata, Barros, & Barata, 2020) for evidence focused on children younger than three. 1. Introduction 17 FIGURE 1. OVERVIEW OF THE BENEFITS THAT ACCRUE FROM ACCESS TO CHILDCARE. Source: Devercelli and Beaton-Day (2020), pp. 12. According to the second State of Mashreq report,28 However, this rate falls to 53 percent if childcare improving access to childcare has the potential to services are not free, highlighting price sensitivity in increase the labor market engagement of mothers the demand for childcare.30 Taking at face value self- of young children, thus having a sizable impact of reported willingness to work conditional on childcare FLFP. In Lebanon, 81 percent of mothers with children availability by mothers of children aged zero to five, it is below age six who express a willingness to use formal possible to estimate the change in overall female labor childcare (but are currently non-users) report that they force participation associated with a hypothetical would be willing to start working, open a business or expansion of formal childcare services in line with work longer hours if they had access to free childcare.29 untapped childcare services demand. As shown in 28 Redaelli,Silvia; Lnu,Anukriti; Buitrago Hernandez,Sandra Paola; Ismail,Tala. State of the Mashreq Women Flagship : Who Cares? - Care Work and Women’s Labor Market Outcomes in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents. worldbank.org/curated/en/099000502222338765/P16815701c336d00e095dc093ef29af40a7 29 Irrespective of current employment status, women who report willingness to change their labor market engagement should access to childcare services be available would be particularly keen on opening a business at home. 30 This is expected since the higher cost of childcare lowers the net income from paid market work, making it less attractive. 18 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE 1. CHANGE IN FLFP RATE SHOULD UNTAPPED DEMAND OF CHILDCARE SERVICES BE SATISFIED.   Jordan Iraq Lebanon Baseline FLFP rate* 15.1% 13.0% 26.3% 17.6% 13.5% 28.4% New FLFP rate if paid daycare available ** +2.5 pp +0.5 pp +2.1 pp 22.4% 14.7% 33.0% New FLFP rate if free daycare available ** +7.3 pp +1.7 pp +6.7 pp Notes: * FLFP rate extracted from first State of the Mashreq Women report based on secondary data sources (i) Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey 2016, (ii) Iraq Household Socio-Economic Survey 2012-13; (iii) Lebanon Household Budget Survey 2011-2012. ** Estimates based on secondary data sources (i) the 2017-2018 Household Expenditure and Income Survey (HEIS) for Jordan; (ii) the 2017 Survey of Well-Being via Instant, Frequent Tracking (SWIFT) for Iraq, and (iii) the 2018-2019 Labor Force and Household Living Conditions Survey (LFHLCS) for Lebanon. Source: Redaelli, S., et al., 2023 Table 1, implied change in labor force participation the labor market face a high risk of unemployment. could be sizeable in Lebanon, with a 2.5 percentage Results from this analysis show that – at least for point increase in case of increased availability of paid unemployed mothers – additional opportunities in childcare services, and 6.7 percentage point increase the childcare sector would be of particular interest. in case of greater availability of free childcare services. Employment opportunities in childcare could be In Lebanon, increasing the current occupancy in also appealing for women in Lebanon and possibly childcare service centers from 4.8 percent to 25 contribute to improving their satisfaction on the job.32 percent of children aged between 0-3, and assuming To test whether working in the childcare sector could a constant caregiver to child ratio, would alone lead to be of interest, all mothers participating in the survey – the creation of almost 10,000 caregiver jobs. irrespective of their employment status or utilization/ willingness to use childcare services – were asked if Expansion of childcare services could contribute to were interested in starting a daycare business and/or addressing joblessness among women, by increasing working for pay (full time or part time) in a daycare FLFP and decreasing unemployment. An expansion center. In Lebanon, 56 percent mothers would be of the childcare industry may impact women’s willing to work in the care industry.33 participation in the labor force in two ways. First, as previously discussed, evidence demonstrates that Employer-supported childcare can lead to lower access to childcare services may ease the unpaid absenteeism, higher workers retention, and higher care burden experienced by mothers and increase productivity. Understanding childcare as an time available for paid market work. Second, the investment in the workforce instead of an added cost increased availability of jobs in the childcare industry can increase employers’ motivation to offer childcare may attract women willing to work in this sector solutions. While the benefits of employer-supported into the labor force. As stated in the second State of childcare have been widely established (IFC 2019), the Mashreq report,31 close to 50 percent of inactive case studies about employer-supported childcare mothers in Lebanon would be willing to work in the around the world show that there is no “one-size fits childcare industry. In addition, and as discussed in all” solution and the success of initiatives depends on the first State of the Mashreq Women report (World specificities of each company, group of employees, and Bank, 2020), women who are willing to participate in local context, including childcare subsidy regulations. 31 Redaelli,Silvia; Lnu,Anukriti; Buitrago Hernandez,Sandra Paola; Ismail,Tala. State of the Mashreq Women Flagship : Who Cares? - Care Work and Women’s Labor Market Outcomes in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents. worldbank.org/curated/en/099000502222338765/P16815701c336d00e095dc093ef29af40a7 32 In Iraq, as discussed in Chapter 2, the childcare industry is virtually non-existent (both public and private). As most employed women in Iraq work in the public sector (mostly in health and education), the limited interest to work in childcare expressed by employed mothers could be related, at least partly, to an underlying assumption that childcare jobs would be in the private sector. 33 Data did not reveal any preference of self-employment over salaried employment in childcare. However, part time salaried employment is more widely preferred compared to full time salaried employment. 1. Introduction 19 In Pakistan, National Foods Limited established an on- Mashreq Women report (Redaelli, S., et al., 2023), site daycare facility to cater to the needs of working data for Mashreq countries indicates low enrollment parents and other family-friendly policies. According and limited utilization of childcare services. This to the company, business benefits related to childcare, might reflect limited availability of childcare services such as greater gender diversity and higher maternity (supply), family preference for home care, accessibility return rate and employee satisfaction, help offset and location of the childcare service (supply), or a the costs of running the facility (IFC 2021). A UNICEF- mismatch between demand and supply of childcare funded study in the Rwanda tea sector showed that services (cost, quality, among other things). on-site childcare significantly improved workers’ productivity as well as workers’ loyalty and retention Constraints to supply and demand for formal (Salmaso et al. 2021). The footwear manufacturing childcare services are particularly acute in Lebanon. company Feng Tay in Vietnam established an on- Since 2019, Lebanon has been assailed by compounded site kindergarten as an established part of their crises—specifically, an economic and financial crisis, recruitment and retention strategy (IFC 2020). followed by COVID-19 and, lastly, the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. The economic By implementing an employee feedback system, crisis has had a severe impact on the affordability businesses can tailor solutions to employees’ needs and sustainability of childcare services, due to both and preferences and avoid investing in ineffective an increase in the cost of supply as well as due to a solutions. Based on employee satisfaction surveys, reduction in households’ purchasing power. Amin Kawar and Sons (AKS), a Jordanian shipping and international transportation company, strengthened To better understand the context of childcare its flexible and remote working policy and offered provision and the distribution of formal and informal childcare solutions. As a result, staff turnover was care in services in Lebanon, a comprehensive supply minimized which, in turn, brought substantial savings and demand study was carried out. The assessment related to recruitment and training of new staff consisted of a mixed methods study comprised of (WBG 2021). In the US, after conducting an employee six components touching on the regulatory and survey to gauge the range of employee needs, Home institutional framework of the childcare sector, as well Depot’s leadership team offered four options to their as the different aspects of the supply and demand employees: on-site childcare, eligible associates for services, including employer-provided childcare. backup care, care marketplace (discounts for qualified The study covered services specialized in the care and care) and a pre-tax benefit account – (called a Flexible education of children between 0 and 3 years old. The Spending Account - FSA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce findings from this assessment support the need for a Foundation 2018). multi-sectorial and holistic policy approach. Understanding constraints to both demand and The report is structured as follows. Chapter 2 supply of care services is crucial to designing introduces the methodology and data sources. effective care policy interventions, particularly given Chapter 3 maps out the policy and legal framework for Lebanon’s current economic situation. For instance, childcare services in Lebanon. Chapter 4 describes the in their research paper,34 S Anukriti et al state that supply of childcare services by center-based facilities the regulation of the availability and affordability of and discusses existing childcare alternatives offered childcare has a similar impact on female labor force by employers in Lebanon. Chapter 5 discusses the participation, whereas the effect of quality regulation demand for childcare. Chapter 6 presents conclusions is smaller. As discussed in the second State of the and policy options. 34 Anukriti, S., Dinarte-Diaz, L., Elefante, M., Montoya-Aguirre, M. and Sakhonchik, A. (2023). Filling the Gaps: Childcare Laws for Women’s Economic Empowerment. [online] Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099018006212310610/pdf/ IDU0c29425380315704ea90bf020573349106bf8.pdf. 20 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 2. METHODOLOGY: MIXED METHODS STUDY 21 The study collected and assessed information on the The mixed-methods study consisted of six main supply and demand for childcare services for children activities focused on supply or demand of childcare aged 0-3 in Lebanon, with the objective of identifying services (see Figure 2 and Table 2): (i) a review of key constraints and opportunities to expand quality Lebanon’s regulatory and institutional framework and affordable access. The study focuses on services around childcare; (ii) a mapping exercise of the current specialized in the care and education of children supply of services, (iii) deeper supply-side assessment between 0 and 3 years old, which are not mandatory of a representative sample of existing formal childcare in Lebanon. Although not covered in the field work, services, including a detailed cost analysis of a kindergarten and preschool education in Lebanon subsample of providers (48 providers); (iv) a demand- target children in the 3 to 5 age group and are not side assessment, targeted to parents35 of young compulsory either as compulsory school starts at the children, and focus group discussions (FDGs) with age of 5. parents to understand households’ childcare needs and coping mechanisms to cover those needs; (v) In this report, childcare refers to care provided to seven key informant interviews (KII) were conducted children under the age of 3. Childcare can be formal with officers from relevant units at the Ministry of or informal. Formal care is defined as care that is Social Affairs (MOSA), Ministry of Education and paid for (or subsidized) and is generally regulated Higher Education (MEHE), Ministry of Public Health by some type of contractual arrangement between (MOPH) and syndicates of nursery owners;36 and, the service provider and the household. The supply- (vi) an assessment of childcare solutions offered by side assessment focuses on formal services which employers. An analysis of the main gaps in terms can be public, private, community-based or a mix of service provision was developed, building on the (and excludes live-in centers, such as orphanages or combined findings from the supply and demand temporary protection centers). Informal care in this assessments and includes policy recommendations study refers to unpaid and generally unregulated care, for an inclusive expansion of quality and affordable usually provided by household members. childcare services.37 FIGURE 2. MIXED METHODS ANALYSIS OF CHILDCARE SERVICES IN LEBANON CHILDCARE REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMWORK SUPPLY SIDE ASSESSMENT DEMAND SIDE ASSESSMENT Mapping Exercise (509 providers) Household survey with parents of young children Assessment of a representative sample (285 providers) (600 households) Cost analysis (48 providers) Focus Group Discussions (36 groups) Employer-Supported Childcare KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS KII POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 35 The sample of surveyed households for this study is not representative of households with young children in Lebanon. Households interviewed for this study were drawn from a sample of households in general in Lebanon. Cost considerations prevented a new sampling frame of households with young children exclusively (from which a dedicated sample could be drawn). 36 Discussion guides for these KIIs were prepared jointly with the WBG. Participants included: Head of Public Education Department at the MEHE, head of the NGO Department and Head of Social Development Centers at the MOSA, Syndicate of Nursery Owners (SPGL), Syndicate of Specialized Nursery Owners, and Director and owner of a nursery in Mount Lebanon. 37 Findings from the Gap Analysis component will be discussed further in the final section of this report on Conclusions and Policy Options. 22 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE 2. SUMMARY OF THE ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED Assessment Instruments Unit of Analysis Scope Focus Regulatory and Desk Review of Secondary Childcare and Pre-School Institutional National Sources Sector Framework Review Desk Review and Census- Formal Childcare Centers 509 – census-like, the Mapping Exercise like brief CATI 10 – 15 mins (private, public and semi- National universe (Quantitative) private) Formal Childcare Centers 285 nurseries randomly Across cazas with Supply-Side In Depth CAPI 70-90 mins (private, public and semi- drawn from the universe of higher / lower Assessment (Quantitative) private) the mapping exercise levels of FLFP CAPI Households Survey Households with young 600 Households - (486 (Quantitative) children under 6 women and 114 men) Demand-Side 36 Focus Group Discussions All Lebanese Assessment Mothers and fathers with Governorates with parents with different Focus Group Discussions children between 0 and 5 labor market status, rural/ years old urban MOSA, MOPH, MEHE Key Informant Syndicates of Nursery All Lebanese Structured Interviews 7 Key Informant Interviews Interviews Owners, Owner of a private Governorates nursery CATI (Quantitative) 100 Companies Employers’ Side Private Sector Across Lebanon Assessment Key Informant Interviews 8 KIIs with representatives (KIIs) from companies BOX 2. COMPLEX FIELD WORK LEADING TO DATA LIMITATION Most of the fieldwork occurred during complex times in the country and data collection was impacted by the challenging conditions at the moment. Fieldwork started in November 2020 and was completed in September 2021. It had to be paused (specifically, surveys, focus group discussions and key-informant interviews) a few times during this period due to the ongoing economic crisis (the fuel crisis affected the transportation and ability of surveyors to conduct field work) and political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic and related closures of childcare centers, and the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.38 The consulting firm adjusted fieldwork to these conditions by, for example, conducting FGDs remotely, setting appointments with nurseries, and adopting safety & distancing measures. Furthermore, while the study was originally designed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was updated to include new survey questions (for both supply and demand), considering the unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed for families, children, governments, and the childcare industry. Conducting the fieldwork in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic affected some of the indicators collected (e.g. enrollment rate, capacity limitation, additional concerns from parents related to health measures, costs to nurseries for additional health equipment, etc.). A brief description of each component’s methodology procedures, inspection, supervision, etc. The is presented as follows (see Annex 1 for additional regulatory review was conducted in preparation details): for the data collection. It was carried out through a desk review of relevant secondary sources.39 1. Review of Lebanon’s regulatory and institutional framework on childcare. It covers the institutional 2. Mapping of formal childcare services (i.e. center- structure of the childcare and preschool sector, based care), supply-side assessment with costing relevant laws, policies, and regulations related to exercise. The first activity under this component the provision of childcare services, governmental/ was a mapping of existing childcare services in licensing standards for providers, formal enrollment Lebanon.40 Data collection consisted of a census-like 38 In addition, the fuel crisis happening from June to October 2021 impacted transportation as well as availability of electricity and internet. 39 The review was at times limited by the lack of recent references; some information needed to be validated through field work. 40 ArcGIS analysis by type (private, public, semi-private: NGO, religious), by location, by FLPR, by estimated number of children. 2. Methodology: Mixed Methods Study 23 brief (10–15-minute duration) computer assisted The supply-side questionnaire (available in Annex telephone interview (CATI) with 509 center-based 6) addresses the situation of providers in terms of providers (excluding those permanently closed, operation, ages served and enrollment, accessibility, see Figure A1.1 in Annex 1). The CATI survey human resources, service fees and cost of service allowed the gathering of geographic coordinates provision, daily activities and overall program, safety for the mapping exercise and to contrast supply and health procedures and other structural quality vis-a-vis potential demand (estimated number of characteristics. This assessment also included a cost children in the 0-3 age group per caza, and other analysis of service provision, aimed at investigating indicators), and well as basic characteristics such the investment and operating costs of childcare as type of provider, operating status (closed/open) providers and identifying the main entry barriers into and expectations regarding re-opening, operating the childcare sector. Furthermore, it included a ‘break times/days and ages served. even’ analysis of required enrollment for providers to be financially sustainable. The financial analysis covered The second activity was a supply-side assessment 48 providers of which 43 are private and therefore the which is based on a comprehensive survey applied results in this report are presented only for private to a sample of 285 childcare providers (Table providers.45 The analysis is based on the information 3) randomly drawn from the universe gathered from the cost module of the CAPI survey. through the mapping activity.41 It consisted of a computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) with an approximate duration of 70-90 minutes.42 The TABLE 3. CHILDCARE PROVIDERS INTERVIEWED IN LEBANON sample was constructed to represent the current (DETAILED CAPI SURVEY) distribution of providers (informed by the mapping activity) by type i.e., public, private, semi-private, Type N % and across cazas, and to be able to observe childcare Private 228 80% supply in cazas with higher/lower levels of female labor force participation. Public 33 12% Semi-private* 24 8% Due to COVID-19 containment measures, public Total 285 100% providers of childcare were requested to close until September 2021. This resulted in incomplete data on Note: * 13 religious institutions and 11 non-profit associations or enrollment from public providers. Private providers organizations. were required to close in early 2021 (due to a statewide lockdown) and allowed to reopen in March/2021 at only An additional phone survey (available in Annex 6) 25 percent capacity43 with the government gradually was conducted between January and mid-February lifting restrictions (complete lifting of restrictions 2023 with the 285 nurseries who initially participated started June 1, 2021). In this regard, because of the in the supply-side assessment. This exercise was a data collection time frame, it is likely that reported follow up to the April 2021 - June 2021 survey and enrollment from some private providers reflects the aimed to gather the latest and updated information 50-70 percent capacity regulations applying at the on the monthly fees, the monthly operational cost, time.44 Results on enrollment and capacity, from both the capacity and actual enrollment rates of children. the CATI and CAPI activities, should be interpreted in The response rate obtained was 80 percent, i.e., 228 light of these limitations. nurseries answered the survey. Out of the 57 remaining 41 The CATI for the supply mapping took place between December 2020 to April 2021 which coincided with the peak pandemic-related lockdowns across the country. The comprehensive CAPI survey took place between late April to June 2021. A prior pilot survey was conducted with 5 providers during April 2021 located in Akkar, Beqaa, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Nabatieh. 42 Enumerators and field supervisors scheduled interview dates and times with each childcare provider through a phone call prior to the in-person visit and collected oral and signed consent forms from each. 43 To service childcare needs of essential health care workers. 44 CAPI data collection was paused between the 3rd week of May and the 2nd week of June. By the time data collection was resumed, in mid-June/2021, about 40% of the CAPI was conducted, which implies that reported enrollment rates from some providers might still reflect the capacity restrictions. 45 Of the 285 providers interviewed under the in-person CAPI survey, only 74 (56 private) provided complete information to the cost module. Of these, 11 providers (all public) had zero enrollment due to mandated closures due to COVID-19 and were therefore excluded from the cost analysis. The analysis also excluded providers with quality indexes under the 40% threshold. Overall, the selected 48 providers for the cost analysis represent enrollment of 1,290 children. 24 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY nurseries, 15 refused to answer, 3 could not be reached and cost considerations prevented a new sampling after more than 3 attempts, 27 confirmed they were frame of households with young children exclusively closed and 12 could not be reached because of wrong (from which a dedicated sample could be drawn). contact details. (See details on sampling methodology in Annex 2).47 3. Assessment of the demand for and use of childcare. Data collection consisted of a detailed TABLE 4. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS OF SURVEYED MOTHERS AND HOUSEHOLDS survey to households with presence of children younger than 6 years old. Eligible respondents Mothers between 22-45 years old 92% were the parents of younger children, although Mothers living with spouse / partner Over 90% efforts were geared towards prioritizing female respondents (mothers) over male respondents. Mothers having completed tertiary education 38% The purpose of the survey was to investigate the Mothers having completed secondary dynamics of childcare demand and supply at the 25% education household level, with women and their labor force Nuclear households 96% engagement at the center.46 Individual (in-person) CAPI interviews were conducted with 600 parents Extended households 4% of young children living in the household (486 Average number of children 0-5 per household 1.16 women and 114 men). Surveyed households were located across all Lebanese governorates, namely Note: The minimum age of surveyed mothers was 19 years old, and maximum age was 56 years old Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South, Nabatiyeh, North, Akaar, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel (see distribution of respondents in Annex 2). The questionnaire In addition, a total of 36 Focus Group Discussions (available in Annex 6) examines socio-demographic (FGDs) were conducted virtually (over Zoom) with characteristics, employment characteristics, mothers and fathers of children in the 0-5 age division of care and household responsibilities, group.48 Participants were mothers and fathers demand for and attitudes/preferences around with different engagement in the labor market, childcare (including willingness to pay for services), drawn from the same sub-sample and areas and impact of COVID-19 on childcare. covered in the household survey.49 (See details on sample/eligibility of participants and structure of Surveyed households for this study (households with FGDs in Annex 3) These discussions investigated presence of children younger than 6 years old) were how childcare works in participants’ households, drawn from a larger sample of households (with how care responsibilities influence their time and no special conditions on household composition) other work, how gender norms factor into decision- which is representative of households in general making, and what childcare services they use in Lebanon (Table 4). While the sample of general or what they think/expect of these services. To households is nationally representative, the sub- maintain correspondence with the quantitative sample of surveyed households is not nationally survey, participants were largely drawn from same representative of households with young children areas as the household survey.50 The participant in Lebanon. Results presented on the demand side profile consisted of working and non-working men need to be interpreted with caution, taking into and women, living in urban affluent, urban poor or consideration representativeness limitations. Time rural areas. 46 The household survey took place between July 14 to August 12 2021, and the FGDs were conducted during May/June 2021. 47 Sampling of households in general (no conditions regarding household composition) was done in two stages: (i) selecting 60 clusters (with 100 to 150 households in general in each); (ii) selecting households using systematic sampling, 10 households from each cluster. Once a household with younger children was found, an interview was conducted with one parent per household (prioritizing female respondents). 48 In compliance with pandemic-related distancing measures. In addition to health considerations, fuel, electricity shortages and traveling disruptions precluded conducting in-person sessions. 49 Certain area perimeters in the North had to be expanded to account for problems of connectivity and access. 50 With a few adjustments due to the inclusion of groups from the capital Beirut, and the expansion of certain area perimeters in the North to account for connectivity and access problems. 2. Methodology: Mixed Methods Study 25 TABLE 5. CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED FIRMS FOR EMPLOYER ASSESSMENT Number of Number of Percentage of National percentages Size category employees Companies in Sample total sample size of company sizes* Small 10 to 50 50 50% 34% Medium 51 to 100 17 17% 4-6 % Large 101 to 1701 33 33% 5-7 % *Ministry of Economy and Trade & UNDP, 2014. The remaining 53-55% are micro sized companies. 4. Assessment of employer-provided childcare collection was conducted during the COVID-19 solutions.51 This assessment identifies childcare lockdowns when face-to-face interviews were not solutions and family-friendly policies offered by possible. As a result, firms that did not respond to private sector companies in Lebanon, as well as the the phone survey were dropped and replaced by barriers and opportunities for employers to offer newly assigned ones. Small companies represented childcare services to their employees.52 Qualitative half of respondents, followed by large (33 percent) and quantitative survey techniques were employed and medium-sized companies (17 percent). The to assess the status of childcare support provided profile of surveyed businesses is in the Annex 7. by the surveyed businesses. Data collection methods included a telephone survey questionnaire Data was disaggregated by caza, economic sector, and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with private employees’ gender, and number of worksites the firm sector representatives. A sample of 100 private has, using the statistical software SPSS (Statistical businesses across Lebanon completed the survey, Package for Social Sciences). Analyses of variance to between May and June 2021 using a CATI software test differences among means (i.e., one-way ANOVA (Computer Assisted Telephone Interview). The tests) were conducted on the number of female sample of firms was drawn from companies employees and the number of total employees, to operating across 10 different sectors (Table 5). explore whether there was any significant difference While the survey helped in understanding the status in these variables between companies possibly willing, of the employer-supported childcare in Lebanon, those not willing, and those with childcare support the sample size of the surveyed companies is small in place. Additionally, a Pearson chi-square test was to draw conclusions for Lebanon. The sample size, conducted to assess whether there is any relation therefore, limits the ability to make generalizations among the following factors: location, economic related to employers´ childcare policies, although sector, size, and each of the family-friendly policies, it does not prevent the identification of trends and and the employers’ status on childcare provision. To the ability to make predictions in this area. The explore in greater depth private sector willingness to questionnaire consisted of a rapid survey lasting participate in the provision of family-friendly work 15 minutes on average. It explored the status of policies and employer-supported childcare, eight childcare and family-friendly benefits and the interviews were conducted with HR managers of current understanding of the business case for private sector companies, managers of CCIA (Beirut offering these types of benefits to employees. and Mount-Lebanon and Sidon and the South), head It also captured the employers’ expectations of nursery syndicates and policy makers of relevant regarding childcare options for employees in the departments. future and what they might consider offering (see questionnaire in Annex 6). This component also Given the fluctuating parallel exchange rate (compared included eight key informant interviews.53 Data to the official fixed exchange rate of LBP $1,507.5 51 A standalone report will be published with more information on the results of this survey: IFC and World Bank. “Tackling Childcare in Lebanon: Creating Family-Friendly Workplaces.” 2022. Washington D.C.: World Bank Group 52 The survey for this component was originally conceived as an online survey filled out by a company’s representative. Low response rate to this e-survey led to the decision to conduct the employer survey following a CATI procedure. 53 Participants included: human resource managers of two large private sector firms in the manufacturing and health services sector; managers of the CCIA-BML and CCIA Sidon and the South (CCIA-S); heads of the Syndicate of Nursery Owners and the Syndicate of Specialized Nurseries in Lebanon and of a large nursery in Mount Lebanon; heads of departments relevant to ECCE at the Ministry of Education (MEHE), Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). 26 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY to US$1), the following average rates were applied, – August 2021 the rate of LBP19,527 was applied; and depending on the period of fieldwork, to provide the (iv) for the phone survey conducted between January equivalent US$ amount: (i) for the mapping exercise 2023 – mid-February 2023, the rate of LBP 49,747 conducted between December 2020 – April 2021, was applied for the data collected in January and the the average rate of LBP10,115 was applied; (ii) for the rate of LBP 66,162 for the data collected in February.54 supply-side survey conducted between April 2021- Information referring to monetary units are presented June 2021, the rate of LBP12,346 was applied; (iii) for in both LBP and equivalent US$ currencies, using the demand side survey conducted between July 2021 these rates. BOX 3. COMPARISON OF METHODOLOGY WITH THE REGIONAL MASHREQ CARE REPORT A World Bank report entitled “Who Cares? Care Work and Women’s Labor Market Outcomes in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon” was recently published. This country assessment for Lebanon as well as this regional report are complementary and build on one another. Some findings from the regional report are included in this country assessment, while some findings from the Lebanon assessment are included in the regional report. The only caveat is that the analysis in the regional report covers the age range 0-5, while this Lebanon country assessment covers the age range 0-3. The methodology of the regional report is as follows. The analysis of time-use and demand for childcare services builds on primary data collected from a sample of 2,168 women and 1,101 men in Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon between March and June 2021. Moreover, to assess pandemic effects, the survey included retrospective questions on time use and labor market engagement. Survey data was collected from women with (i) potential need for childcare services, and (ii) who were within the age to be in the labor force. The survey was conducted with a sample of mothers or mothers-to-be aged 20-55 years. In Lebanon, 88 percent already have children.55 The findings of this report do not apply to women in the 20-55 age group who were neither mothers nor mothers-to-be at the time of the survey or were not citizens. Similar caveats apply to the sample of men. Due to COVID-19-related disruptions, and aided by high phone penetration rates, the surveys were conducted by telephone. Individuals were randomly selected to participate in the survey using a random digit-dialing methodology. This approach was based on nationally representative databases of active telephone numbers in all three countries. However, in Beirut (Lebanon) random-digit dialing has been less successful and therefore, the database was supplemented with phone numbers generated using a random number generator and associated with the relevant area codes. 54 These rates are based https://lirarate.org/ daily parallel market exchange rates, and World Bank staff calculations of monthly averages. 55 Central Administration for Statistics in Lebanon, & International Labour Organization. (2019). (rep.). Labour Force and Household Living Conditions Survey (LFHLCS) 2018–2019 Lebanon. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/- --arabstates/---ro-beirut/documents/publication/wcms_732567.pdf 2. Methodology: Mixed Methods Study 27 3. POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK AROUND CHILDCARE 28 FIGURE 3. CHILDCARE POLICY GAP IN MASHREQ COUNTRIES AND MENA MENA average 7 6 5 YEARS 4 3 2 1 0 Algeria Bahrain Djibouti Egypt Iran Iraq Jordan Kumait Lebanon Libya Morocco Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Tunisia United Arab Emirates Yemen Source : (Redaelli, S., et al., 2023). In Lebanon, there is no statutory provision of early the licensing of private, NGOs, religious groups, and childhood educational and care services for children companies’ nurseries. The Decree defines childcare and below age 3. Early childhood care and education nurseries as “comprehensive care services that receive (ECCE) services are divided between care services children from 40 days to 3 years of age (beginning of for younger children (usually below the age of 3) the 4th year) to address their needs and requirements, overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) and through taking care of them and developing their the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), and education personalities on the physical, psychological and social programs for preschool-age children which are levels and providing them with a healthy and safe the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and environment, and adequate educational upbringing Higher Education (MEHE). However, none of these (…).”56 Other provisions stipulate enrollment age in services is mandatory in the country. (See a brief public and private childcare services. For instance, review of broader family-friendly policies in Lebanon, nurseries are not allowed to establish kindergartens in Annex 4). This fragmented framework combined which target children 3 and older as kindergartens fall with a limited offering of childcare services and under the mandate of the MEHE, while nurseries for limited parental leave options, results, as mentioned children 3 and younger, fall under the mandate of the in the second State of the Mashreq Women report MOPH.57 (Redaelli, S., et al., 2023), in a sizeable difference (in years) between the starting age of universal and free The MOPH is the main authority responsible for ECCE or primary education, and the childcare related regulating and monitoring childcare services for paid leave reserved to households, referred to as the children younger than three years old. Private “childcare policy gap” in Figure 3. nurseries are registered with the Department of Mother and Child Health at the MOPH, and they Lebanese regulation defines childcare/nurseries constitute most of the childcare supply in the country as a service targeted to children aged between 40 (see Chapter 4. Supply-side Assessment of Center- days and 3 years old; laws on childcare are limited based Childcare). The Department, however, does not to licensing, and they apply to private providers have a dedicated unit/division for nurseries exclusively. only. The main legal provision on childcare services is Public nurseries on the other hand, are operated and Decree No. 4876/2010 which sets the conditions for overseen by the MOSA and are mainly found within 56 English translation from the Arabic text of Decree No. 4876 of 2010. 57 Memorandum No 153, dated 22/10/2020. 3. Policy and Legal Framework around Childcare 29 MOSA’s Social Development Centers (SDCs).58 MOSA- still pending ratification. One proposes three days, operated nurseries do not require a license to operate. another proposes one day and the most recent one MOSA can also undertake contractual agreements proposes 10 consecutive or non-consecutive days. with NGOs for the delivery of public-funded childcare. Currently, the labor law does not grant any paternity In these cases–i.e., nurseries that are operated by leave. All employers are legally required in Lebanon NGOs–they are licensed by the MOPH (like the private to register their employees with the National Social sector). Security Fund (NSSF). The social security contribution consists of a flat rate of 3 percent of the basic salary Regulation of childcare services in the country covers paid by the employee to cover sickness and maternity center-based providers only and it focuses mainly on (medical) and a 22.5 percent contribution by the structural quality; home-based provision remains employer. The employer share is divided into 8 percent unregulated. Statutory minimum quality standards for sickness and maternity (medical), 6 percent for mainly focus on structural quality, the presence or family allowances and 8.5 percent for end-of-service absence of resources that facilitate the interactions allowance (on whole salary). The NSSF covers the of an environment of care (more or less in line with medical related expenses of maternity but does not OECD average standards) and less so on the elements reimburse employers for maternity, paternity, or sick of process quality, the standards of childcare routines leaves (Lewis, 2020). and child-caregiver interactions, as well as interactions among children and their peers, and parents with Pre-primary education (preschool) is not compulsory59 caregivers (Table 6). With regards to structural quality, in Lebanon, although it is the only country in the regulation in Lebanon includes provisions on staff-to- Mashreq region that provides access to public pre- child ratios, and there is a heavy emphasis on physical primary (preschool) education for children starting infrastructure (e.g., space per child, which is about at age three and up to five years old. The MEHE is one meter less than the OECD average, and layout of responsible for the establishment and supervision of facilities and rooms). When it comes to process quality, kindergartens (KG) in public schools, where KG classes there is no national ECCE curriculum framework, are available alongside primary education. MEHE is and regulation leaves it up to the childcare center also responsible for licensing KGs in private schools. to develop an appropriate program or curriculum. In Lebanon, at KG1 level, 57.4 percent of children are There are no specifics in terms of family involvement enrolled in private school and 42.6 percent are enrolled or interactions with peers and/or teachers. The only in public school. At KG2 level, 65 percent of children process-related aspect with defined requirements is are enrolled in private schools and 35 percent in public staff qualifications. The same licensing institution schools.60 MEHE however, does not include a dedicated oversees compliance and monitoring. Licensing service or department for pre-school education. Pre- regulations do not specify the periodicity of inspection school curriculum is developed by the Centre for visits (see more on quality in Chapter 4. Supply-side Educational Research and Development (CERD), an Assessment of Center‑based Childcare). institution linked to MEHE which is also responsible for pre-service and in-service training of teachers. The Lebanese labor law requires the allowance Qualifications for KG teachers are not legally specified of 10 weeks for paid maternity leave, which is and there is currently no assessment of pre-school shorter than the recommended 14 weeks in the ILO teachers’ qualifications and profile. Prior to 2014, the Maternity Protection Convention. A draft law was MOPH was responsible for the care of children in the submitted by 7 members of Parliament in 2021, 0-3 age group, while the MEHE was responsible for proposing to increase maternity leave to 15 weeks. education of children aged 4 and older. In 2014, Decree As for paternity leave, there are three draft laws No 11930 re-defined admission age at public KGs to be that have been submitted to Parliament and are three instead of four years. 58 Marakez Al Khadamat Al Inmayah. SDCs have been a universal feature of local-level service delivery in Lebanon since the late 1960s. There are approximately 280 SDCs in the country, including both primary and secondary centers. The secondary centers tend to be located in more rural areas and may be satellites of the primary centres. These centers constitute the most important local-level executive arm of MOSA. 59 Children can enroll in primary education without having attended preschool levels (Decree No. 8970/2020). 60 The sample of households accessing any sort of childcare support on a consistent basis was very small and, therefore, it is not possible to specify use by type of provider. However, the sample shows that almost all children go to either public or private formal institutions and very few uses informal arrangements or nannies. Source: CERD Statistics 2020/2021 30 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE 6. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATE NURSERIES IN LEBANON COMPARED TO OECD AVERAGE STANDARDS Lebanon OECD Childcare: 1 staff member: max. 7 children Staff: child 1 licensed nurse or certified assistant: 10 children aged 40 days to KG/preschool: 1 staff member: max. 18 children ratios 1 year Family or domestic care services regulated with 1 nursery teacher + 1 nursery assistant: 20 children > 1 yrs. Old stricter ratios; among countries with available data, max. 5 children per staff Childcare workers: in most countries, must have a vocational-level diploma, generally Teacher/caregiver at a children’s nurse level (upper secondary, qualifications The childcare worker should have a degree in pre-primary vocational level); education or any field of education. many countries also have specialist staff trained Nurse should be licensed by the Ministry of Public Health; or an to secondary-level graduation, plus a one to- assistant with minimum of 5 years’ experience certified by the two-year tertiary-level vocational diploma. Nurseries Syndicate. Pre-primary teachers: generally trained at the same level and in the same training institutions as primary school teachers. Nursery team should include: Director with university degree (nursery education, sociology, qualifications Other Staff psychology, health sciences, management, and economics) A minimum of 1 cleaning staff A licensed doctor (to practice medicine in Lebanon) specialized in pediatrics, family medicine or general medicine, to effectuate bi- annual visits and as needed. The deputy director should be a registered nurse or educator. In general, indoor space requirements are largest 1m2 per walking child for family day care, followed by childcare centers Space per 2 m2 for infants who cannot walk in the bedroom and KG/preschool. child A bedroom for infants under 1 yr. old, and OECD average for regulated indoor space per classrooms for educational purposes divided by age and language. child: 2.9m² per child for KG/preschool, 3.6m² for care centers. Bathrooms: must have small toilet seats, with one seat for every 10 children age 1.5 and above. Separate bathroom for staff and administration. Other rooms: nurseries should have the following rooms: Infrastructure Management and reception room Recreation rooms or halls Dining room Dedicated running area for children. An infirmary where sick children can stay and wait for their parents to pick them up Kitchen Large play area that meets all necessary safety precautions Ceiling: height must be 2.75 mts Facility must not be below ground level or in warehouses. Safety Insurance: The nursery must be insured, and a copy of the insurance policy must always be present on site. Nursery must develop a curriculum that ensures the physical, Most countries have a national ECEC curriculum Learning program intellectual, psychological, and social development of children that framework (specific requirements as to what will facilitate their transition to school life. is expected of ECEC staff, as well as values and No national curriculum/learning program. principles) Some protocols for infectious diseases detected in nursery, or sick Nutrition children. Health/ Medical supervision: a licensed doctor who specializes in family medicine, pediatrics, or general medicine to examine the children twice a year as necessary. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). monitoring, assurance: Monitoring practices for compliance with inspection Annual report to be prepared by nursery along with other Quality regulations are mostly implemented through documentation. external inspections by national authorities or No details are provided in terms of procedures and frequency of an independent inspection agency inspection visits. Source: Authors’ elaboration based on Decree No. 4876 of 2010 for Lebanon. For the OECD averages: (OECD,2017) 3. Policy and Legal Framework around Childcare 31 4. MAPPING AND SUPPLY-SIDE ASSESSMENT 32 4.1. CENTER-BASED CHILDCARE SERVICES Bint Jbeil- concentrate most of public providers with a 4.1.1. MAPPING OF SERVICES: share of 23 and 20 percent of providers, respectively; DISTRIBUTION AND CAPACITY however, together, these cazas represent only 6 percent of the estimated population in the 0-3 age Supply of childcare services in Lebanon is mostly group. Keserwan and Tripoli come second with 9 private and geographically concentrated in coastal percent of public providers in each caza (see Table A5.1 areas where employment opportunities for women in Annex 5 for detailed numbers). are most available; inland districts have limited availability of services. The mapping exercise (CATI) The geographical distribution of childcare services identified 536 providers of childcare services in centers in Lebanon suggests that workplace location Lebanon, all center-based.61 Most of the facilities could be an important factor determining location are run by the private sector (81 percent), followed of centers, followed by household (and ultimately, by religious institutions (6.9 percent), not-for-profit children’s) residence. Results above show that organizations (6 percent, associations mostly) and the services are highly concentrated in the coastal areas smallest share run by the public sector (5.6 percent, of the country. At the same time, these areas - Beirut mainly by MOSA). In terms of location, the mapping together with the Mount Lebanon governorate - have shows that services are highly concentrated in the the highest rates of labor force participation (male coastal areas of the country; Beirut and the Metn and female) and are business hubs in the country. cazas together concentrate 25 percent of providers In fact, Beirut and Mount Lebanon are known to be (Map 1). At the same time, inland districts/cazas major economic, social and cultural hubs, so it is not farther away from the coast and rural areas have surprising that their female labor force participation limited availability of services. Areas such as Bcharre, rates are higher than the country average (at 24 and Hermel, and Jezzine are complete childcare deserts 26 percent, respectively). FLFP is considerably lower in (i.e., absence of childcare providers), whereas Hasbaya, northern and southern governorates, with rates as low Marjaayoun, Minieh-Danieh, Akkar, Sour, Baalbek, and as 12 percent in Akkar, 22 percent in Nabatieh, and 20 West Bekaa among others, are partial deserts.62 percent in Bekaa (Figure 4). Participation rates among men seem relatively equal across governorates. On the The distribution of center-based providers across contrary, areas with less commercial and employment cazas vis-à-vis the share of population in the 0-3 age activity but with similar shares of population of group per caza, indicates a mismatch between supply children have less supply of childcare services and potential demand (i.e population that could available. The fact that residence is less aligned with demand childcare services) in some cazas.63 There location of centers applies to both private and public are various cazas where the supply of services is not supply. aligned to the potential demand. For instance, Akkar caza in the north, is the caza with the third largest At the time of the mapping, there were on average 14 share of children 0-3 (9 percent of total population childcare places available in center-based services aged 0-3) has 11 providers only. However, the coastal for every 100 children aged 0-3 nationwide. The cazas Baabda and El Metn, which represent similar estimated number of children in the age group 0-3 shares of young children in the population (13 and in Lebanon is 214,270 (year 2021), and the total 11 percent, respectively), have a significantly higher current capacity among the 509 mapped providers to number of providers operating in the area (71 and accommodate this age group is 29,105 children.64 This 81 providers, respectively). The mismatch applies to means that there are an estimated 185,165 children in public supply as well. Only two cazas -Nabatieh and this age group that are not serviced by center-based 61 The mapping exercise identified 536 center-based childcare providers from which 27 are permanently closed. The CATI was conducted with the remaining 509 as described in the methodology section 62 A childcare desert in this report refers to a caza without any childcare providers and 0 spaces/seats per 100 children. A partial childcare desert in this report refers to a caza with 6 or less spaces/seats per 100 children. 63 Estimates of population in the 0-3 age group for 2021 are based on the population figures reported by the 2018 Central Administration of Statistics. The methodology is described in the technical note in Annex 7. 64 The question of capacity is the following: Maximum capacity of the center to accommodate this age group. 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 33 childcare services. Considering the average provider FIGURE 4. LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION capacity in each caza and the projected population RATE BY GOVERNORATE AND SEX (%), 2022 in the 0-3 age group per caza, Map 2 shows the estimated number of nurseries that would be needed 80 to serve all children aged 0-3 in each caza.65 The map 70 confirms mismatches between population of children 69% 68% 60 67% 66% 66% 66% 65% and location of center-based services. Akkar has the 63% 59% 50 highest need for providers to meet potential demand (590 providers are needed), whereas in El Metn which 40 represents a similar share of children population 30 as Akkar, 290 providers are needed. It is important 20 26% 24% to note that this mapping exercise might under- 22% 22% 21% 20% 20% 10 17% estimate available capacity to serve young children 12% as there are centers that, due to their more ‘informal’ 0 Beirut Akkar Bekaa Baalbek -Hermel South Nabatieh Lebanon Lebanon Lebanon Mount North or unregistered operation, were not captured in the mapping activity. Women Men MAP 1. TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDCARE Note: The figure was adapted using data from the CAS - Lebanon PROVIDERS PER 1,000 CHILDREN, PER CAZA follow-up Labor Force Survey, 2022 MAP 2. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS NEEDED TO COVER POTENTIAL DEMAND OF CHILDREN 0-3 Note: Numbers shown next to each caza’s name refer to the projected 2021 population of children 0-3. Note: Numbers shown within each caza refer to estimated number of childcare providers needed to cover potential demand. 65 The estimated number of nurseries needed to cover all children in the 0-3 age group, per caza, corresponds to the following formula: Estimated number of children 0-3, per caza / Average provider capacity, per caza. The number of nurseries needed to cover potential demand is the difference between nurseries for all children 0-3 and number of existing nurseries. 34 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE 7. INTERVIEWED CENTER-BASED PROVIDERS, BY TYPE CAPI survey % Of total Follow-up survey % Of Total Type of Provider (2021) (2021) (Jan-Feb 2023)* (Jan-Feb 2023) Private 228 80% 192 84% Public 33 11.6% 21 9% Semi-private 24 8.4% 15 7% Total 285 100% 228 100% Note: Of the 33 public providers, 21 MOSA-operated centers were closed due to government mandate related to COVID-19. 4.1.2. OPERATING STATUS DURING 4.1.3. CHARACTERISTICS OF COVID-19 AND THE ECONOMIC OPERATION OF CENTER-BASED CRISIS PROVIDERS About a quarter of mapped providers were closed A detailed in-person interview (CAPI) was conducted at the time of the CATI survey in 2021, citing as with 285 center-based childcare providers across the reasons both COVID-19 containment measures Lebanon to better understand the landscape of and the ongoing economic and financial crisis in the service provision. In line with the mapping, most country, which hurt both profitability and demand sampled providers were private. The assessment for services. At the time of the data collection for the covered a sample of 285 providers of which 80 percent mapping activity (between December 2020 and April were private, 11.6 percent were public, and 8.4 percent 2021), a share of 24 percent of mapped facilities (129 were semi-private (Table 7). Semi-private providers of 536) reported they were closed, either permanently are supported by private funds and by religious, non- or temporarily (or not yet defined). Answers from religious, local, and/or international donors. In some providers show that both the COVID-19 pandemic cases, semi-private providers also receive partial and the ongoing economic and financial crisis in the support from public resources (MOSA mainly). Sampled country mostly explain these closures. About 83 providers are located across 20 cazas (of a total 26 percent of closed facilities indicated the reason to cazas in the country). Center respondents were asked be COVID-19 containment measures (imposed by the to categorize what they perceived the level of income MOPH), and 46.5 percent attributed the decision to to be in the neighborhood/surrounding area where the close to decreased enrollment due to the economic center is located, according to three categories: low, crisis and/or associated profitability/feasibility issues medium and high. According to surveyed providers, 72 as well as reduced purchasing power of households. Of percent of centers operated in (perceived) medium- the closed centers, 8.5 percent indicated having closed income neighborhoods and 24 percent were located in after the explosion in Beirut which took place on August low-income areas. 4, 2020.66 Furthermore, when asked about plans for re-opening (among the temporarily closed), 40 percent When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, the indicated not knowing yet and half of providers would Lebanese government-imposed lockdowns from consider reopening sometime in the next 6 months. January to March 2021 which were lifted gradually The ongoing crises and impact on nurseries, coupled afterwards. Data collection for the supply assessment with uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic, all (CAPI) survey took place between April and late June played an important role in the decisions of nurseries 2021. In this regard, reported figures on current to re‑open. capacity and enrollment might reflect COVID-related restrictions, among others.67 In fact, at the time of the detailed survey, only 4.5 percent of the sample 66 The question on reasons for operating status allowed multiple answers; the shares do not add up to a 100. 67 By June 1st 2021, about 40% of the interviews were already conducted. 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 35 FIGURE 5. CAPACITY UTILIZATION FIGURE 6. TOTAL CAPACITY OF NURSERIES BY (ENROLLMENT/FULL CAPACITY) NUMBER OF CHILDREN 12% 4% 4% 20% 20% 27% 32% 41% 39% Operating with 25% of capacity 0-25 children 26-50 children Operating with between 26%-50% of capacity 51-100 children 101-150 children Operating with between 51%-80% of capacity Operating with more than 80% of capacity 151-210 children (equivalent to 12 providers) reported a capacity Ages served utilization rate68 of 100 percent. In addition, the government requested public providers to remain Center-based services receive children in the 0-4 age closed until September 2021, the reason why there is group, but there is a higher emphasis on the 1-3 age limited information available for 21 MOSA centers (of group and a gap in provision among children under a total 33 public providers). 1. This might reflect parental preferences regarding when they are comfortable to have their child start According to the follow up survey (Jan-Feb 2023), 9.5 daycare outside of the home. However, it also signals percent (n=27) of the providers closed their doors due a gap relative to mothers who might need this support to the compounded effect of the COVID 19 pandemic during the early months after birth, particularly and the economic crisis. The updated data shows that because paid maternity leave in Lebanon is only 10 the average capacity utilization is of 58 percent for weeks and there is no paternity leave in Lebanon yet. the age group 0-569 (Figure 5 and Figure 6). Around 10 After age three, supply of childcare decreases and percent of nurseries were operating at full capacity (22 this coincides with the age when children can enroll nurseries), while 20 percent (45 nurseries) were above in preschool or kindergarten, under the mandate of 80 percent capacity. At the time, almost 60 percent MEHE (Figure 7). Furthermore, services for the 0-1 of nurseries could accommodate up to 50 additional age cohort are predominantly private and slightly children, with the remaining having the capacity to supplemented by the semi-private sector. Of the enroll over 50 additional children, and a few with a public-owned or public-operated providers on which capacity of over 200 more children. we have complete information, only four (non-profit) centers service this age group. Vacancy rates70 for this group are the highest (45 percent) among all serviced age categories.71 Providers servicing this age group are concentrated in the coastal cazas of Baabda, El Metn and Beirut; together these cazas concentrate 45 percent of services available for the youngest children. 68 Refers to current enrollment as a percentage of total capacity. 69 The capacity utilization was calculated with the updated data gathered from the survey conducted between January and February 2023 covering a sample of 228 nurseries selected randomly from the universe n=509. 70 Vacancy rate refers to vacant seats as a share of the total capacity. 71 About 18 percent of the sample indicate that they receive children as young as 40 days old. 36 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY FIGURE 7. PERCENT OF CHILDCARE FACILITIES FIGURE 8. DAYS OF OPERATION, SERVING VARIOUS AGE GROUPS BY TYPE 100% 100% 9% 90% 25% 17% 23% 94% 80% 88% 70% 60% 63% 50% 50% 91% 40% 79% 76% 74% 30% 38% 20% 10% 4% 0% 0% Private Public Semi-Privare Overall Under 1 1-2 1-3 3-4 4 years year years years years and up Mon-Fri Mon-Sat Notes: Shares do not add to a 100% as providers can serve more than one age group. Excludes 21 MOSA centers that were closed at the time of the survey. Hours and days of operation during August. These results show that opening hours of center-based providers, while convenient for parents Most providers offer full day shifts and morning employed in the public sector, do not fulfill the needs half-day shifts and operate on a Monday through for working parents in the private sector (or working Friday basis. However, only half of the sample offers parents in general) who need childcare services for service after 3pm, not in line with the working hours longer hours in the afternoon. The follow up survey in the private sector.72 Three quarters of childcare conducted in January – February 2023, shows similar providers (76 percent) operate Monday through Friday results in terms of operating days and hours. and less common is a Monday through Saturday schedule (23 percent, including three MOSA centers). “I changed my career direction (Figure 8). In addition, 1 percent of the sample close completely. I reduced my number of on Friday, a religious observance day within the Muslim community. The most cited opening hours hours to cater to my children’s needs” are 8:00am and 3 percent open earlier than that. In (FGD, working woman, rural poor, Beirut and Mount Lebanon). terms of closing, half of providers (53 percent) operate until the time range between 3:00 and 5:00pm, and only 5 percent (all private) stay open until 6:00pm or Among working women, more than half work 40 6:30pm. While most providers (78 percent) offer full- hours or more during a regular week. For employed day shifts, morning shifts are also common with over men, this percentage goes up to 80 percent, with 35 half of the sample (56 percent) offering that choice; percent working more than 60 hours a week (Figure however, only 2 percent (private only) reported they 9). Qualitative analysis of the focus group discussions offer afternoon shifts.73 Lastly, 10 percent of providers (FGDs) shows that both female and male employment close operation during summer months, particularly are impacted by childbirth, though mostly in opposite 72 As a reference, in the private sector, the most common working schedules are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00pm or from 9:00am to 6:00pm. In the public sector, the working schedule (which was amended in 2017) is Monday-Thursday from 8:00am to 3:30pm and Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm (Saturday is a non-working day). Referring to the labor law, Working Hours and Holidays section (Articles 31 to 43), the maximum number of working hours per week is 48 and the employee gets to have 1 hour break after 6 consecutive working hours for men and 5 consecutive working hours for women. ILO, (2010) Lebanese Code of Labor. [online] Available at: https://www.ilo.org/dyn/travail/docs/710/Labour%20Code%20of%2023%20September%201946%20as%20amended.Publication%20 2010.pdf 73 The morning shifts start before 9 am and finish by 3 pm. Afternoon shifts start after 12 pm and finish by 5 pm. All-day shifts start before 9 am and finish after 3pm. 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 37 FIGURE 9. DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYED (AGED 15 YEARS AND ABOVE) ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF HOURS USUALLY WORKED %, LEBANON, 2022 100 90 89% 80 83% 70 74% 73% 69% 60 50 40 30 31% 20 27% 26% 10 17% 11% 0 Less than 30 30-39 40-49 50-59 60 and more Women Men Note: The figure was adapted using data from the CAS - Lebanon follow-up Labor Force Survey, 2022 directions. Most working female participants reported at reduced capacity, and in the case of public that there were changes in their education and work providers, MOSA-operated ones were mandated to strategies after they became mothers. Adaptation close operation. Some other centers indicated their measures included changing from full-time to part- registration process happens at the beginning of time work, choosing work with a more flexible schedule each year. The majority of providers do not have any or settling for suitable work for lower wages. Fathers specific requirements in terms of minimum days/ reported either not being impacted or having/wanting hours of attendance to admit children. Only 13 percent to work harder to support a larger family. of the sample74 had a waitlist, most of them located in Beirut followed by El Metn, Baabda and Baalbek. The first two cazas are business hubs and are also “The responsibilities/school fees/books densely populated, and the latter has low availability have taken a toll. Before I used to of childcare services. work 5 hours but now, I work 12 hours per day” (FGD, man, rural poor, Beirut and Mount Lebanon). Accessibility As reported by most providers (95 percent), private car is the most common means of transportation Enrollment procedures families use to get to the facility, and a minority reported families walked or used a school bus At the time of the survey, 59 percent of the sample provided by the provider. This is not surprising since indicated that they were currently accepting new most households in Lebanon have a car.75 Half of children at the facility which implies these providers the providers estimate an average 15 to 30 minutes were not operating at capacity. Overall, there are no commute for families to get to the center; about a fifth minimum requirements in terms of minimum days/ of providers estimate that families need more than 30 hours. The high share of providers not taking new minutes to get to the center. In addition, 24 percent of enrollments (41 percent) can be partly explained by providers service children who commute from farther the pandemic-related context, at the time of data than the neighborhood (Caza) of the nursery, and some collection. Some providers might have been operating receive children from other cazas. 74 Equivalent to 37 providers; 3 public, 4 semi-private and the rest private. 75 In Lebanon, the International Road Federation (World Road Statistics) indicates 1,915,580 vehicles in 2018. Considering a population of 6,859,408 in 2018 (World Bank DataBank) and an average household size of 3.4 (CAS – spreadsheet attached), the number of vehicles per household can be estimated at around 0.95 vehicle per household. 38 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY FIGURE 10. AVERAGE AND MEDIAN MONTHLY FEE OF CENTER-BASED CHILDCARE, BY SHIFT AND TYPE OF PROVIDER, AS OF APRIL 30 – JUNE 28, 2021 800,000 700,000 675,000 LBP 600,000 LBP PER MONTH 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 Median Average Median Average FULL DAY HALF DAY (MORNING) Private Public Semi-private Min. wage (2019) Note: Private n= 228, Public n= 33 and Semi-Private n= 24 4.1.4. AFFORDABILITY difficulty paying childcare fees increased from 2019 to 2021. In fact, the share of providers who indicate Affordability of childcare services is an issue in having at least 40 percent of families experiencing Lebanon. The monthly median fee for full day center- trouble with payments nearly doubled during this based service can be as high as 89 percent of the period (21 percent in 2019 to 41.5 percent in 2021). In minimum wage, and private providers charge twice addition, partly due to the pandemic but partly due to the fee of public ones. Most providers in the sample (95 the economic and financial crisis affecting the monthly percent) charge for their services on a monthly basis. fees as well as the purchasing power of households, Data shows that the price for center-based childcare enrollment of new children in childcare services varies significantly by type of provider (Figure 10). For dropped significantly going from 9 children enrolled of instance, in 2021, the fee for full-day services (refers every 10 applicants before 2019 to 6 out of 10 children to fee charged at the time of the survey) is the highest in 2021. In the follow-up survey (Jan-Feb 2023), the for private sector providers (median fee of LBP599,072 share of providers indicating that at least 40 percent equivalent to US$49 at the average parallel exchange of families were experiencing difficulties to pay for rate at the time of the survey of LBP12,346 for US$1), services fell back to 32 percent. The disaggregation which – as previously discussed – represents the by provider type shows that this average is about the bulk of existing service supply, and the lowest for same for private and public providers (32 percent and services provided by the government (median fee of 27 percent, respectively). However, half of the semi- LBP250,000, equivalent to US$20).76 In 2021, the private providers reported more than 40 percent of average fee at the national level was LBP562,242 families struggling (7 out of 14 providers). (equivalent to US$46), which represents 80 percent of the minimum wage fixed at LBP675,000 (year 2019). With the high volatility of the Lebanese currency, the follow-up survey conducted with nurseries in January The economic crisis has had a severe impact on the and February of 2023 found an increase in nurseries affordability of childcare services, due to both an setting their monthly fees to be paid in US$, in cash, increase in the cost of providing the supply (and likely due to deterioration of the exchange rate. About 80 increase in price to users) as well as due to a reduction percent of the private nurseries charge in US$ or a in households’ purchasing power. As reported by combination of both US$ and Lebanese pounds. The providers, the number of families experiencing average monthly fee charged by the surveyed nurseries 76 Among private providers that charge on a monthly basis (n=165), most of them (88) charge monthly fees between LBP300,000 and LBP650,000; 27 providers charge less than LBP300,000; and there are 50 providers that charge prices higher than LBP650,000 (in fact, 11 of them charge more than LBP1,000,000 a month). 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 39 TABLE 8. MONTHLY FEE BY TYPE OF PROVIDER DURING THE FOLLOW-UP SURVEY – US$ PAID IN CASH (JAN-FEB 2023) Provider n Average Median Maximum Minimum Private 192 94 70 650 10 Semi-private 15 20 20 65 0 (donations) Public 21 2 2 15 0 Total 228 81 went up to US$81 (Table 8) from US$49, to be paid in TABLE 9. SERVICE PRICE REDUCTION cash, observed during the pandemic (exchange rates in January and February of 2023 of LBP 49,747 and LBP Service price Percent by case Number of cases reduction (%) 66,162 respectively). The updated average monthly fee of US$81 was as high as 94 percent of the average Yes 173 61% monthly income in Lebanon in 2022 (US$86)77(see No 111 39% Figure 11). Furthermore, an entry deposit fee was charged by 60 percent of the nurseries, mostly private Total 285 100% ones, at an average price of US$55, paid in cash. The semi-private and public nurseries have not adjusted Providers estimate that at least 10 percent of their fees yet and are charging monthly on average the enrolled children come from low-income households negligeable amounts of US$20 and US$2 respectively. and are commonly offered flexible payment options and/or price reductions. The majority of providers (70 percent) estimate that at least 10 percent of enrolled FIGURE 11. AVERAGE AND MEDIAN MONTHLY children come from low-income families. One out of FEE OF CENTER-BASED CHILDCARE, BY TYPE five nurseries (20 percent) estimate that at least half OF PROVIDER (JAN-FEB 2023) of enrolled children come from low-income families. In this context, about 70 percent of providers offer 100 some payment flexibility for families with financial Average Wage in 90 2022 US$ 86 difficulties, often by extending the payment deadline 80 or offering discounts, and some offer the option to pay by installments. Lastly, 61 percent (Table 9) indicate US$ PER MONTH 70 having price reductions under certain criteria such as 60 the number of siblings attending the same center and 50 the financial/employment status of parents, among 40 others (Figure 12). 30 20 Due to surging inflation in Lebanon, the cost of food has 10 increased significantly and keeps rising frequently. 0 More than a third of care providers request parents Private Semi Private Public to send children’s meals from home. At the time of Average Median Average Wage in 2022 the survey, 60 percent of providers indicated that they provide food at the center at no extra cost, while Note: Private n= 192, Public n= 21 and Semi-Private n= 15 3 percent charge an additional fee for food (Table 10). At the same time, a third of centers do not provide food and parents are required to send meals from home. Of the minority that charges for food, the reported extra cost ranges between LBP30,000 and LBP550,000 per month (equivalent to US$2 and US$45, respectively at 77 Source: Central Administration of Statistics and ILO, (2022). Labour Survey Lebanon 2022. The exchange rate used is 26,713 Lpb for US$1. It represents the yearly average exchange rate in 2022 computed by the World Bank staff. 40 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY FIGURE 12. CRITERIA FOR PRICE REDUCTIONS, % RESPONSES Number of children from that 54% family that goes to our childcare Financial status of parents 50 % Employment status of parents 41 % Monthly income of the family 32 % Orphaned 23 % Either parent sick or disabled 17 % Health condition of child 13 % (special needs, chronic disease, etc.) Single parent (divorced- widowed) 9% Age of child 4% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 % RESPONSES Note: The number of providers offering price reductions is n=173, which represents 61 percent of the sample. Multiple choice allowed. TABLE 10. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FOOD AT CHILDCARE FACILITIES Number of Follow-up survey Percentage Providers Number of Providers Percentage Childcare provider, included in fee 170 60% 118 52% Yes Childcare provider, at extra cost 9 3% 13 6% Parents provide 101 35% 97 42% No Parents provide, due to the pandemic 3 1% Short shifts, no food required 2 1% Total 285 100% 228 100% the average parallel exchange rate at the time of the The follow-up survey in Jan-Feb 2023 found that survey). In-depth interviews with nursery syndicates on average 52 percent of the nurseries included the suggest that, due to surging inflation and uncertainty food costs in the monthly fees, with great differences about the cost of food, many providers have had to among the type of providers. 56 percent of private exclude serving food from the price and ask parents to nurseries serving food already included it in the price take charge (or charge an extra cost).78 With regards against 23 percent and 40 percent of public and semi- to other services, practically all providers in the private ones, respectively. The majority of children sample include in the price the cost of materials for in public and semi-private nurseries bring their food crafts, sports, toys, additional educational activities, from home (76 percent and 60 percent, respectively). and medical check-ups. None of the public and semi-private providers offered food at an extra cost. For the 13 private nurseries that offered food at an extra cost, the average price was US$28 to be paid in cash (median US$30). 78 The cost of food has increased about 8 fold in the past couple of years with the devaluation of the Lebanese currency and associated hyperinflation (Hussein, 2021). 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 41 FIGURE 13. SHARE OF OPERATIONAL COSTS COVERED BY STUDENT FEES, PRIVATE NURSERIES (JAN-FEB 2023), IN % 82% 44% 23% 16% 16% 7% 7% 3% 2% It covers between It covers between It covers between It covers between It covers between It covers more than 0-20% of operational 20-40% of 40-60% of 60-80% of 80-100% of operational costs costs operational costs operational costs operational costs operational costs Before 2019 At present 4.1.5. COST OF SUPPLYING and identify entry barriers in the childcare sector. Given the breakdown of the sample in terms of private CHILDCARE SERVICES, SOURCES and public providers, the analysis focuses on private OF FUNDING, AND FEASIBILITY providers exclusively. According to this analysis, the ‘average’ private provider in this sub-sample in Lebanon operates at loss (Figure 13), with losses Cost of supply being even higher in non-coastal areas (where supply is scarce). These findings imply that the economic crises put the profitability of the childcare sector Besides the impact on affordability, the economic at risk and reduces the incentives for new entrants crisis in Lebanon has increased the cost of childcare to join the sector. In addition, the increased cost of supply and has also hurt providers’ profitability and service provision makes it challenging for providers to feasibility. The crisis has led to an increased cost of maintain quality standards in the service. The follow- supplying center-based childcare services to the point up survey in January and February 2023 collected data that childcare fees no longer cover operating costs. Less on the profitability of private providers before 2019 childcare providers were profitable in 2021 compared and at present. Before 2019, 98 percent of private to 2019, and the share of the operational costs covered nurseries reported that students’ fees covered at least by childcare fees has also decreased compared to 80 percent of operational costs. For 2023, only half of 2019. While 22 percent of surveyed providers indicate private providers reported the same (Figure 13). that they operated at a profit before September 2019 (an already low share), no provider reported making profits in 2021 (at the time of the detailed CAPI survey Teacher and caregiver salaries as well as rent are conducted between April 30 - June 28, 2021). In fact, the two biggest expenses in the operating costs for most providers (74 percent) were covering a maximum private providers, and furniture stands out as the 40 percent of their operating costs with their personal biggest investment cost (to set up a center). The items budget or alternative funding sources other than fees. that weigh the most in the operating cost structure are teachers’ and caregivers’ salaries (32 percent of operating costs and 47 percent if considering salaries The supply assessment included a detailed costing of all the staff), rent (19 percent), and food/snacks analysis performed over a sub-sample of 43 private offered to children (10 percent).79 In addition, Lebanese providers; the analysis confirms the difficulties that regulation requires nurseries to be insured (liability providers face to survive in the sector. The purpose insurance, in case of injuries on premises) which of the costing exercise was to better understand the represents an important 5 percent of the cost (insurance setting up and operating cost structure of providers 79 With regard to rent: apart from the rent that is actually paid every month by the care providers, for service providers that own the buildings they reside in, the rent that would have been paid if the building was rented out is also included. 42 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY FIGURE 14. AVERAGE INCOME STATEMENT FIGURE 15. OPERATING EXPENDITURES AS FOR PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN LEBANON (LBP A SHARE OF TOTAL OPERATING COST FOR PER YEAR AND PER CHILD ENROLLED), 2021 PRIVATE PROVIDERS (%), 2021 10,000,000 Transport 8,000,000 1% Training 1% Health 6,000,000 1% Telecommunication 4,000,000 1% Utilities LBP Maintenance 2,000,000 3% Cleaning and 4% 0 protection supplies 4% Publishing, -2,000,000 printings & 5% stationery -4,000,000 5% Insurance All private Coastal Non-coastal 10% Cost of Food/ PRIVATE (43 PROVIDERS) 19% Snacks Items 47% Rent Annual revenue per child enrolled Salaries (all staff) Annual operational cost per child enrolled Net Income* (profit or loss) 0% 20% 40% 60% Notes: * Net income considers the additional effect of depreciation. Numbers are normalized by enrollment reported at the time of the survey. companies request payments in “fresh dollars”, Figure third for private ones (12 percent). In order to reduce their 14 and Figure 15 ). The purchase of supplies related to energy costs, 15 nurseries stated they had invested in COVID-19 protection has also impacted cost. Overall, solar panel systems. For public nurseries, if both utilities surveyed providers indicate that surging inflation has and salaries are disaggregated, electricity comes in first increased the cost of replacing equipment, maintenance, (20 percent), followed by the cost of food and snacks updating and/or renovating, furnishing materials, toys, (13 percent) and teachers and caregivers salaries (12 and food. While utilities represent a smaller share of total percent). operating costs (3 percent), it is important to note that electricity, gas, and generator costs currently represent a considerable burden for businesses in Lebanon as fuel FIGURE 16. PERCENTAGE IN TOTAL EXPENSES, prices are no longer subsidized and prices in the local ALL NURSERIES (JAN-FEB 2023) currency have increased. Data collection, including the cost component, took place between April - June Training 1% 2021. It is likely that, if information were collected after COVID supplies 1% August 2021, utilities would represent a larger share of Telecommunication 1% costs, as the fuel price was no longer subsidized by the Publishing and printing. 1% government and fuel prices had increased dramatically Cleaning supplies 2% by then. Transport 2% Utilities (water and gas) 2% The follow-up survey in Jan-Feb 2023 also included Stationery 2% a costing analysis of the operating expenses of Insurance 3% providers; salaries remained the biggest expense in Maintenance 4% terms of operating costs (Figure 16). For private and Food and snack 8% semi-private nurseries, teachers and caregivers salaries Eletricity and generator 12% alone were the largest expenses (31 percent and 51 Rent 12% percent, respectively). Electricity/generator costs came All salaries 49% in second for semi-private nurseries (14 percent) and 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 43 FIGURE 17. NURSERIES OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURES BY TYPE OF PROVIDER AND COST PRIVATE NURSERIES, % PUBLIC NURSERIES, % SEMI-PRIVATE, % 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 63% 31% 0.4 0.5 48% 27% 0.4 0.3 20% 0.3 0.2 0.2 13% 19% 7% 9% 0.1 0.1 13% 12% 14% 14% 3% 8% 0 0 0 All salaries Eletricity and generator Food and snack Stationery Others All salaries Eletricity and generator Rent Stationery Others All salaries Rent Eletricity and generator Food and snack Others The burden of rent for center-based services is build and set up a childcare facility like the one they particularly important considering that 52 percent have today; the average amount per private provider of the full sample of providers surveyed pay rent is LBP157,400,000 (equivalent to US$104,411 at the on the location where they operate. Providers who official rate).81 indicate being ‘tenants’ comprise 142 private, 6 public and 1 semi-private. Only 7 percent of the full sample operate in a State-owned property (mostly public Funding mechanisms and feasibility providers and a minority of semi-private) and a third own the building (surprisingly, only four are public and Private providers - the driving force of the childcare the rest are private and semi-private). At the same sector - depend on private sources to finance their time, results indicate that the cost of rent is highly investment and operation, and this adds to the variable: as high as 20 percent of operating costs in difficulty to join and survive in the childcare sector. densely populated areas of Beirut, Jbeil, Tripoli and For the existing providers in the survey data, 86 El-Metn and, and as low as 4 percent in El-Minieh- percent reported that set-up costs were covered Dannieh, Aley and Akkar. In-depth interviews with through private means. These are private and semi- providers and syndicates suggest that owning the private providers; only 12 percent of all providers (2 building/space makes it more feasible for providers to semi-private and all 33 public) received some form continue operation during the crises without having to of public funding. Most private providers (70 percent) translate their costs into higher fees. used their own resources to start the business and in the case of public ones, funding came mainly from Average investment costs amount to MOSA. In addition to user fees, 86 percent of providers LBP146,400,000 per provider (equivalent to (all private or semi-private) reported operational costs US$97,114, using the official exchange rate of also being partly covered through private means, LBP1,507.5). The investments costs reported by the frequently owners’ savings. The public providers on surveyed childcare centers referred to the pre-crisis the other hand are financed mainly through public period. Furniture, vehicles, and renovation are the sources.82 A model of public financing of private three most significant expenses of investment cost (51 provision therefore does not yet exist in the sector. percent, 22 percent and 17 percent of investment cost, respectively).80 Providers were also asked to estimate In a context of increased cost of supply and reduced how much they would have to pay if they were to profitability, establishment of new private and semi- 80 Investment costs do not include the purchasing price of the building (which is reported under imputed rent in operational costs). 81 The estimated average cost for setting up a daycare at the time of the survey (April 30 – June 28, 2021) was calculated based on the pre-crisis exchange rate of US$1=1507.5 LBP 82 Semi-private providers receive some operational support from the MOSA, but their main source is from associations or churches. 44 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY private initiatives and survival of existing ones will center infrastructure, health and safety protocols/ be challenging unless supported through public programs, group size, staff/child ratios, and caregivers’ funding. Nursery owners and nursery representatives credentials. Process refers to quality of childcare who participated in in-depth interviews, voiced their routines and children-caregiver interactions, as well concerns that the current context might lead to as interactions between children and their peers, private providers serving middle- and low-income and parents with caregivers. Process variables are areas, to close or that the prospects of an ongoing particularly important for children under the age of crisis will compromise the quality of service. The three, because these children are forming attachments syndicate representatives voiced funding alternatives to significant adults (outside their immediate family such as tax exemptions (e.g., municipal, and corporate system).83 Structural and process quality are likely to taxes). Other suggestions included removal of VAT be synergistic and with dynamic complementarities on childcare-related equipment and materials and over time.84 Measuring the quality of childcare for compensation for insurance fees (which are usually infants and toddlers is a complex process: assessing charged at above the official exchange rate). In the structural elements requires observation of the case of nurseries affected by the Beirut explosion, facility mostly combined with reporting from the participants voiced the need for government grants to center representative; process quality, on the finance the repairs. contrary, requires expert observation, judgment, and interpretation, which in turn requires more time and is often costly. (Devercelli & Beaton-Day, 2020; López, “Exemptions from all kind of taxes Dormal & Weber, 2019; López, Araujo & Tomé; 2016).85 (NSSF, municipality, water, rental values, etc.) are so important if we want to keep this sector going and to Licensing encourage development. For example, schools have exemptions on property Practically all surveyed providers are licensed to and income taxes and electricity bills. operate, and only three providers reported that they Being taxed is a huge disadvantage were in the process of receiving the license at the time for nurseries. Other policies include of the survey.86 In the case of private and semi-private incentives such as VAT exemptions” providers, the majority received the license from the (Representative of Syndicate of Nurseries’ Owners MOPH87, and only five that allow children older than in Lebanon). four years old are licensed by the MEHE. The MOSA is responsible for licensing providers that belong to their Social Development Centers (i.e., MOSA-operated centers) as well as the MOSA-contractors (i.e., non- profits, NGOs, religious institutions. See operating 4.1.6. QUALITY-RELATED ASPECTS standards in Chapter 3 - Policy and Legal Framework) When it comes to quality of ECCE, the consensus Providers’ perceptions suggest regulation is that the program must be comprehensive, and and standards are clear, but when it comes to that it depends on several different elements, implementation, a quarter of providers find it difficult usually categorized as either structural or process to comply with infrastructure-related requirements. elements. Structural quality refers to presence or Perceptions by service providers in Lebanon on absence of resources that facilitate the interactions current standards and legislation around childcare of an environment of care; there resources relate to 83 Empirical evidence has found that structural variables are significantly correlated with childcare quality, but alone, structural elements do not guarantee high quality care. At the same time, evidence suggests that the frequency, type, and nature of the interactions between children and caregivers, is what most influences the development of children. 84 For example, having access to a variety of engaging learning materials can provide more opportunities for caregivers to interact meaningfully with children. 85 The questionnaire for the supply assessment included a set of questions, coupled with an observation checklist of the facilities, meant to provide a rather general assessment of (mostly) the structural quality aspect of center-based provision. Due to the complexity in measuring process quality, doing so is outside the scope of this study. 86 The 285 childcare service centers were licensed by the following entities: (i) 223 private and 16 semi-private are licensed by MOPH; (ii) 33 public and 7 semi-private are licensed by MOSA; and (iii) 2 private and 1 semi-private are licensed by MEHE. 3 private providers are in the process of receiving their license. 87 Through the Mother, Child and School Health Unit. 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 45 FIGURE 18. EDUCATION OF NURSERY FIGURE 19. PRIMARY CAREGIVER TEACHERS/ CAREGIVERS BY TYPE AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY AS OF OF PROVIDER APRIL 30 – JUNE 28 2021 40% AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY: 1,100,000LBP 100 35% 38% 36% 35% 34% 30% 80 81% 80% 25% 29% 28% 20% 60 20% 15% % 19% 17% 40 16% 10% 13% 11% 3% 5% 2% 20 0% 0% 15% 5% Private Semi-Private Public 12% 8% 0 (n=224) (n=20) (n=27) Nursery teacher Nursery assistant teacher Baccalaureat Technique Technique Supérieure < 675.000LBP Licence Technique University (Bachelor) Between 675,000 and 1,500,000LBP Graduate (MA/PhD) > 1,500,000LBP Note: 84 percent of teaching staff has at least Baccalaureate Technique. Note: n=216 providers provided information on staff salaries. During n=283 providers reported complete information for 1,283 nursery the time of collection $1=12,346LBP teachers/caregivers (of a total 1,336 teaching staff reported). provision show that most providers (above 90 percent) are nursery teachers and the remaining share nursery totally agree or agree that licensing regulations are assistants.89 Lebanese regulation requires centers to accessible and clear, and the majority also agree that have a licensed nurse or assistant nurse for every 10 operating standards are clear. However, 68 percent children younger than 1. While data shows general think that the licensing process is time consuming, compliance with the 1:10 staff-to-children ratio, when and 18 percent find it difficult to comply with licensing it comes to presence of nurses, 152 facilities serving standards related to infrastructure, mostly because children 0-1 (of a total 166 serving this age) report of the cost of space and/or lack of space to meet all having at least one nurse at the premises. requirements.88 In addition, over 80 percent of staff have at least a Baccalaureate Technique diploma (equivalent to Teaching staff: credentials, salaries, and technical secondary education) and close to half have a degree on pre-primary education, specifically. For hiring practices teaching staff for whom complete information was provided (1,283), 84 percent has at least Baccalaureate Over 80 percent of reported nursery teachers and Technique (BT; most of staff with a degree below BT assistants have at least a Baccalaureate Technique are nursery assistants). Furthermore, 48 percent of diploma (equivalent to technical secondary caregivers have a degree specifically related to early education) and close to half of teaching staff have a childhood care and education and/or management of degree in early childhood education or early childhood childcare services (the rest, in other fields of education), management specifically. The supply survey included and the share is higher among public providers than a module on staff composition and characteristics. private ones (70 vs. 58 percent, respectively). Among Providers in the sample reported a total of 1,336 private providers, the highest share of caregivers (38 nursery teachers and/or caregivers (including licensed percent) has a bachelor’s degree, whereas at public nurses) working at the centers. Of these, 66 percent 88 Lebanese regulation requires center-based providers to have at least one classroom per age category, a playground equalling the size of the classrooms that hold children that are older than 1 year old, a kitchen, a dining room, an administrative room, an infirmary room, and 2 bathrooms. See licensing requirements in Regulatory Review section. 89 The staff to child ration requirement in Lebanon is as follows: 1 licensed nurse or assistant with at least 5 years of experience per 10 children aged 40 days to 1 year; 1 nursery teacher + 1 nursery assistant per 20 children older than 1 yr. old. As for credentials, childcare workers should have a degree in pre-primary education or any field of education. Under the age of one year, the caregiver should be a licensed nurse and not a teacher. This survey did not differentiate between nurse and teacher for this question. 46 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY providers it is License Technique (i.e. post-secondary materials, and learning; (iii) human resources; (iv) technical education, 35 percent; See Figure 18). opportunities for parental involvement; (v) safety and sanitary practices.92 All variables in the checklist were The average monthly salary of nursery teachers and rated between 0 and 1, and in cases where a variable is nursery assistants is LBP1,100,000 (equivalent to explicitly regulated by the government, the value of 1 US$89 at parallel exchange rate), and close to 70 indicates compliance. The sub-indices and the overall percent of caregiving staff work under a temporary scores were standardized to a scale between 0-100, contract or no contract at all. Around 80 percent where a higher score indicates more availability of of both teachers and assistant teachers receive a quality elements. (See more details on methodology in salary in the range of LBP675,000 and LBP1,500,000, Annex 8). equivalent to US$55 and US$121, respectively at the parallel exchange rate (Figure 19). However, providers In Lebanon, private providers, which dominate the operating in high-income neighborhoods reported supply, score on average 50 points (of 100 points) salaries of LBP1,800,000 (US$146) or higher.90 As on a checklist of structural quality elements. This a reference, the minimum wage in Lebanon is suggests that the existing supply lacks some of the LBP675,000 which was equivalent to US$448 at regulated and/or desirable structural elements of the official or pre-crisis exchange rate of US$1=LBP a quality environment for young children. Private 1507.5). This shows that the salaries of teachers providers have the highest scores in aspects related to and assistants were not adjusted to the inflationary infrastructure, opportunities for parental involvement situation the country is going through. With regards and safety and sanitary practices (Figure 20). Since to the type of contract for caregiving staff, 42.3 most of the sample is of private providers, results percent have temporary contracts, only 28 percent in the quality checklist are mainly driven by private have permanent contracts and 27.1 percent have no supply results. In addition, there is missing data on contract. some of the variables for the 21 MOSA public providers that were temporary closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown at the time of the fieldwork. (Detailed scores Checklist of structural quality elements per variable for private providers are presented in Annex 8) To complement the above findings, supply-side data was used to construct a basic checklist of mostly Results also suggest that there is a sizable gap in structural quality elements based on ECCE expert’s terms of availability of structural quality elements general consensus of critical aspects91 and their between private coastal and non-coastal operators, ratings of service providers in terms of presence of with coastal ones skewed towards higher scores in these elements. Service providers in the sample were the structural quality checklist. (Figure 21) Among rated according to five sub-components of quality (or private providers, coastal providers scored on average compliance with a specific item in cases where there higher than non-coastal providers overall and in every is a specific mandate under Lebanese regulation) sub-index.93 As explained earlier in the report, most in terms of structural elements mostly, and a few of the center-based supply is concentrated on the elements (as it was beyond the scope of this study) of coast where there is a greater residential density and process quality. The sub-components of the checklist where both industry and employers tend to also be were selected as (i) Infrastructure; (ii) curriculum, 90 These figures are as reported by providers who provided complete information to the survey module on salaries. 91 See for example (López, Araujo & Tomé, 2016). Although a consensus exists among experts in early childhood education and development regarding the importance of these areas, there is no single, universal way to describe how these elements—which together constitute quality—should be combined or evaluated and what weight should be assigned to each. 92 The checklist of structural quality elements is loosely based on the ECERS-R and ITERS-R family of instruments but adjusted to focus specifically on care (rather than education). These family of instruments collect detailed information on center infrastructure, health and nutrition protocols, safety factors, the availability and accessibility of learning materials, the types of activities carried out during the day, etc. Their evaluation consists of observations and scoring. (López, Araujo & Tomé, 2016). The checklist of structural quality elements included a total of 69 questions (from the survey questionnaire), including various characteristics of the center as reported by the provider representative (which may be subject to self-reporting bias), and an observation checklist of the facility by the enumerator. Principal components analysis was used to construct an ‘index’ of quality in these sub-component groups, and also to create an overall score. 93 Coastal: Batroun, Beirut, Chouf, El Metn, Jbeil, Keserwan, Koura, Sidon, Sour, and Tripoli. Non-coastal: Akkar (mostly non-coastal), Aley (mostly non-coastal), Baabda (mostly non-coastal), Baalbek, Bint Jbeil, Minieh-Danieh (mostly non-coastal), Nabatiyeh, Rachaya, Zahle, and Zgharta 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 47 FIGURE 20. AVERAGE SCORE ON CHECKLIST FIGURE 21. DISTRIBUTION OF CHECKLIST OF STRUCTURAL QUALITY ELEMENTS, SCORE AMONG PRIVATE PROVIDERS, PRIVATE PROVIDERS (N=171) BY LOCATION 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Infraestructure Human Resources Curriculum, materials, and learning - QML Opportunities for parental involvement Safety and sanitary protocols Overall score concentrated. This might encourage competitiveness quality, which, given the limited margins of profitability among childcare providers. of childcare centers, implies an important operating cost/quality trade off. In addition, the number of years Analysis of supply of childcare services in Lebanon in operation is positively correlated with higher score further reveals that, among private providers, cost in the quality checklist. of childcare services is positively correlated with 4.2. EMPLOYER-SUPPORTED CHILDCARE SOLUTIONS Private sector firms in Lebanon are not mandated South (2 percent), Beqaa (1 percent), and North (1 by law to provide their employees with childcare percent). Wholesale and retail trade represented 38 services and family friendly policies. Yet, many firms percent and 36 percent, respectively, of the total see the business value in it and perceive positive sample. The remaining businesses are divided across impacts on labor productivity, worker retention and several economic sectors. The aggregate number lower rates of absenteeism. The different type of of female employees in the companies of the entire childcare support and family friendly policies provided sample was 6,081, of which most were in Beirut (42 by private sector companies are listed in Table 11 percent) and El Metn (28 percent). below. To better understand employer-provided childcare in Lebanon, a rapid survey was conducted Surveyed companies employ more than twice as with 100 firms. A sample of firms was drawn from a many men (68 percent) as women (32 percent).94 list provided by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry Among working parents with young children aged and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount-Lebanon (CCIA- 0-5 years, 29 percent were female, and 71 percent BML) across 10 different sectors. Furthermore, eight were male. The share of women in the workforce in this key Informant Interviews were conducted to explore in sample is slightly higher than the national average in greater depth factors that influence the provision of Lebanon (25 percent, World Bank – Enterprise Surveys childcare services by companies in Lebanon. The 100 2019). Furthermore, according to the survey, over 80 interviewed businesses are distributed across Mount percent of both female and male employees worked Lebanon (72 percent), Beirut (24 percent), Nabatiyeh- in large-size firms. Females with children aged 0-5 94 At the national level, according to the most recent national labor survey, the rate of female labor force participation is 22% in 2022. Central Administration for Statistics in Lebanon & International Labor Organization, 2022. 48 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE 11. CHILDCARE SUPPORT AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES TYPICALLY PROVIDED BY COMPANIES Employer-supported childcare: Family-friendly policies: On-site daycare center operated by the employer or a third Flexible working arrangements party Near/off-site daycare center in partnership with an Breastfeeding and lactation rooms and support established private or public provider Community-based arrangement near employees’ homes Transportation Shared daycare provision with other employers Maternity and Paternity Leave Childcare vouchers, subsidies, stipends, discounts, reserved Additional care services (back-up care, after-school or summer seats, subscriptions to online care platforms programs, or eldercare) Others Source: IFC and World Bank. “Tackling Childcare in Lebanon: Creating Family-Friendly Workplaces”. Washington D.C.: World Bank Group worked mostly in large firms (62 percent), followed by (wholesale and retail trader, and manufacturer) medium firms (24 percent) and small ones (14 percent). partnered up with a near-site private daycare and Medium companies (51-100 employees) operating cover a portion of the fees. Another two (wholesale and from multiple worksites employed the largest share of retail trader, and manufacturer) provide a childcare female employees (48 percent). These firms also had allowance or subsidy that employees use at a daycare the lowest share of employees with children aged 0-5 of their choice. The remaining one (human health and years (3 percent). Among medium sized firms, those social work activities) offers an onsite daycare center with a single worksite had the highest share of mothers operated by an NGO in partnership with the public with young children (17 percent). Furthermore, in this sector. These practices may attract more female studied sample, the retail and manufacturing sectors workers as the employers implementing them have the were found to be the main employers of women, highest share of female employees in the sample. Out employing respectively 33 percent and 29 percent of the five employers with childcare support in place, of the total number of female employees of sampled those with multiple sites (n=3) employ 53.5 percent companies, followed by the service sectors of human of the female employees (Table A7.7 in Annex 7). Two health and social works (5 percent). employers pay between 50 percent and 100 percent of the daycare center fees, one employer pays 100 percent of the daycare center usage fees, one pays less than 50 percent, and one employer’s contribution differs from one employee to the next with a sliding 4.2.1. EMPLOYERS WITH scale between LBP150,000 to LBP200,000 (US$105 CHILDCARE SUPPORT AND FAMILY- – US$140).95 FRIENDLY POLICIES IN PLACE Family Friendly Policies Childcare Support In addition to childcare support, the majority of Only five percent of surveyed employers currently employers reported providing family friendly policies, have childcare solutions in place, which is available ranging from maternity and paternity leave, flexible to both female and male employees. This corresponds work arrangements, telecommuting, leave to care for to five companies (3 large and 2 small enterprises) of sick children and work/life programs, parental leave the total sample of 100 employers encompassing a appraisal system, maternity return to work support total of 1,384 employees. The companies are located programs, and breastfeeding room and lactation in El Metn, Mount Lebanon. Two of the companies break. 95 As of March 2022, public nursery fees were equivalent to 250,000-300,000 LBP (US$175-210) per month. 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 49 FIGURE 22. FREQUENCY OF PAID AND UNPAID MATERNITY LEAVE DURATIONS Paid maternal Leave 6% 88% 4% No paid maternal leave 2% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% Less than 10 weeks 10 weeks More than 10 weeks FIGURE 23. FREQUENCY OF PAID AND UNPAID PATERNITY LEAVE DURATIONS Paid paternal Leave 18% 38% 12% No paid paternal leave 32% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Less than 3 days 3 days More than 3 days FIGURE 24. COMPARISON OF PAID AND UNPAID MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE OFFERED BY SAMPLED COMPANIES (N=100) 59% Paternal Leave 68% 62% Maternal Leave 98% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Offer Unpaid Leave Offer Paid Leave According to survey results, there is near universal leave (Figure 24). The average unpaid maternity leave, corporate compliance with the paid maternity leave however, is about 4 weeks, and the average unpaid regulations, but the extended paternity leave is more paternity leave is about 9 days. discretionary pending ratification of the amended law. According to survey results, up to 98 percent of Key informant interviews confirmed that the large employers offer paid maternity leave. The remaining corporate enterprises often have flexible leave 2 percent do not provide any paid maternity leave policies in place that enable working women to take (Figure 22). In comparison, 68 percent offer paid additional unpaid or annual leaves to supplement paternal leave, while 32 percent do not (Figure 23). the maternity allowance. A more flexible corporate Surveyed companies offer unpaid maternity and leave policy promotes female employee retention unpaid paternity leave at similar rates: 62 percent of in the workplace. Based on qualitative assessment employers offer additional unpaid maternity leave, with companies, fathers seem visibly pleased when while 59 percent report offering unpaid paternity informed that the enterprise complies with the full 50 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 3-day paid paternal leave stipulated by the draft bill • A few companies instituted family-friendly policies, of January 2018. On the other hand, according to HR programs or resources in response to the COVID-19 managers interviewed, limited paid leave entitlements, pandemic. Telecommuting is the most offered policy when compared to global standards,96 in combination by companies in response to COVID-19, owing to the with a long, 48-hours (6-day) work week stipulated restrictive and protective measures imposed by the by law in the private sector, are forcing women with government. The CCIA senior manager interviewed young children to resort to unpaid leave or to seek for this study explained that while remote working reduced work hours. The reported reliance on unpaid has assisted many women in combining caregiving leave demonstrates that new mothers are struggling duties with work, many female employees still to get back to work. The competing demands of work preferred coming back to the office post lockdowns. and family care are a barrier to female employment Work-life balance programs have also been one of the and can push them to seek more flexible or hourly work programs introduced in response to the COVID-19 options, or employment in the informal sector or can pandemic. These programs include training and even detach them from the workplace permanently. support groups and are offered by 59 percent of surveyed companies, of which 18 percent confirmed The figure below shows the main family-friendly they introduced it in response to COVID-19. policies, programs, and resources currently offered by companies in the sample. The majority of surveyed • Maternity return to work support programs: 27 employers reported providing transportation for their percent of companies offer maternity return to employees as mandated by the Lebanese labor law, work support programs. More than half fall under most likely in the form of a transportation allowance. the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, Out of 8 options presented that benefit working and professional, scientific and technical sectors, parents, three were among the top five family-friendly and are located in El Metn and Beirut. Assuming policies offered by employers: a performance appraisal the maternity return to work program benefits all system for employee returning from parental leave (85 female employees regardless of their status (full- percent), work life balance programs97 (59 percent), time, part-time, or hourly), 27 percent of total and dedicated time off to care for sick children (46 female employees employed by businesses in this percent). sample have access to returnship programs. • Parental Leave Appraisal System: 85 percent of • Breastfeeding Room and Lactation Break: 21 companies offer an appraisal system that considers percent of the sampled organizations said they an employee’s parental leave. Only 12 percent of provide a breastfeeding room including enterprises in employers, half of which are in the wholesale and manufacturing (10), wholesale retail trade (8), health retail trade sector, do not offer and will not consider and social work (2), and professional, technical and offering this policy in the next year. scientific (1). The remaining 79 percent neither offer nor plan to offer a lactating room service in the next • Flexible Work, telecommuting, caring for sick year. children and work/life programs: While the majority of businesses do not offer nor plan to • Lebanon is not one of the countries that ratified offer telecommuting policies98 (58 percent), 37 an international labor law (maternity convention percent offer their employees a work-from-home number 183, article 10) that provides lactating arrangement on regular days. A much higher share mothers with a one-hour break after five consecutive of companies (80 percent) offers flexible work start hours of work. 71 percent of companies do not offer and stop times. Businesses in the sample are almost or plan to offer a lactation break to their female evenly split in offering (46 percent) and not offering employees, while 24 percent currently offer this (54 percent) dedicated paid time off to care for sick service. The highest number of female employees children. Three companies do not offer this policy benefitting from this service in surveyed businesses but plan to do so in the next 12 months. are in the health and social work activities sector (28 percent). 96 According to the International Labour Organization, in 2021, the duration of maternity leave was at least 14 weeks in 120 countries while in 52 countries it was at least 18 weeks (185 surveyed countries). In 64 countries the duration of maternity leave was still below 14 weeks. Furthermore, 115 countries offered a right to paternity leave (Addati et al. 2022). 97 Work-life balance programs include training and support groups, especially post-COVID. 98 Working from home on regular days each month or week (not related to Covid-19 lockdown or other emergency measures). 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 51 FIGURE 25. DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLED EMPLOYERS ACCORDING TO FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES THAT THEY CURRENTLY OFFER AND PLAN TO OFFER IN THE NEXT YEAR 0.92 Transportation for Employees 0 A performance appraisal system taking into consideration 0.85 that the employee was on parental leave 0.01 Flexible work hours: flexibility with start and stop times 0.8 (while working core hours) 0.01 Work/life balance programs including trainings and/or support groups, 0.59 or other special interest (care for elderly parents or new parents) 0 Dedicated paid time off to care for sick children 0.46 (other than vacation day) 0.03 Telecommuting: working from home on regular days each month or 0.37 week (not related to Covid-19 lockdown or other emergency measures) 0.05 0.27 Maternity return to work support / returnship program 0.02 One hour breastfeeding break after shift of five continuous hours 0.24 of work (in addition to lunch break) 0.03 0.21 A breasfeeding/lactation room 0 0.05 Transportation for children of employees (to childcare center) 0.02 0.01 Care for school-age children when school is closed - Summer camps 0 Care for school-age children when school is closed 0 - Afterschool programs 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 Currently Offers Doesn't offer but plans to in the next 12 months • Transportation for children of employees: Three share of employers (89 percent) state they inform companies (3 percent) currently cover transportation their employees about their maternity leave and fees for children of employees to the childcare center, childcare support benefits regardless of legislation all located in the Mount Lebanon Governorate. These mandating it. include one in the health and social work sector in El Metn and two companies in the wholesale and retail Reported Impact of Employer-Supported Childcare trade in El Metn and in Chouf. The overwhelming and Family Friendly Policies majority (95 percent) neither offer nor plan to offer their employees’ children transportation to the Four of the five employers offering childcare solutions childcare center and only two companies plan on in this sample (80 percent) stated that employee offering it within the next 12 months. retention was their primary motivation for providing childcare support, followed by employee productivity • Afterschool programs and summer camps: None (60 percent), enhancing company reputation (20 of the surveyed employers offer nor plan to offer percent), and employee comfort (20 percent), as afterschool programs for children of employees shown in Figure 26. According to a few HR experts when schools are closed, with the exception of one interviewed, family-friendly policies including childcare wholesale and retail trade business in Baabda (with can increase loyalty and employee retention especially 25 employees, of which 7 are female) which currently among the women workers. All five employers with offers summer camp programs. childcare solutions in place reported in their survey responses a reduction in employee absences and an • Most employers surveyed report being familiar increase in their employees’ sense of belonging to the with Lebanese labor laws (99 percent) and with the workplace as a positive impact (Figure 27). National Social Security laws (96 percent). A large 52 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY FIGURE 26. PRIMARY MOTIVATIONS FOR 4.2.2. EMPLOYERS WITH NO OFFERING CHILDCARE SUPPORT CHILDCARE SUPPORT IN PLACE For the other ninety-five percent of surveyed 80% employers that do not provide childcare solutions to employees, only fifteen percent indicated a 60% willingness to provide childcare solutions at a future date (Figure 28). Over half of the employers mentioned the small number of employees with children aged 0-5 as the main reason behind their reluctance to provide childcare solutions for their employees. Over a third 20% 20% of employers also mentioned lack of willingness to assume childcare responsibility and no demand from Employee Employee Enhancing Employee employees as main reasons (Figure 29). retention productivity company comfort reputation Most employers surveyed do not have a feedback system to fully understand employee demand for childcare. Only 10 percent of employers said they have FIGURE 27. TOP THREE IMPACTS ON solicited or received feedback from their employees on BUSINESSES PROVIDING CHILDCARE their needs and preferences to meet their childcare SUPPORT needs. Although the typical smaller size of Lebanese companies serves to encourage personal interactions, a systematic approach to collecting information on 100% this topic could be a more reliable basis for measuring pressing needs, emerging gaps, and identifying 75% opportunities for action. Understanding demand is one of the most critical early steps employers can take to 50% support the needs of their employees, with potential benefits to the employers themselves. As a result, employers might lack awareness of the importance of childcare services and its link to business benefits Reducing employee Attracting and Employees report such as employee retention, employees’ mental health absences/Increased retaining improvements in their and employee work life balance. As an example, the employees’ sense of talent/Increasing work-life balance belonging to the organizational business case developed by the World Bank Group workplace profitability on Malia Group, shows that businesses that invest in family-friendly policies tend to enjoy higher staff retention rates, reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, and greater workplace diversity.99 FIGURE 28. EMPLOYERS’ PROVISION OF CHILDCARE SUPPORT When asked about resources that would help employers offer a solution to help meet the childcare 0.05 needs of employees, almost half of the employers reported that they do not believe offering childcare 0.15 services is applicable to them. Employers mentioned that the number of employees with children less than 5 years old in their respective workforce may not be enough to justify offering childcare services on-site; employers are also reluctant to assume the 0.8 responsibility of such services. Fourteen percent explained that they are willing to offer childcare if financial support to help offset the cost of planning not willing to provide possibly willing to childcare support provide childcare support childcare support in place 99 https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/mashreq-gender- facility#6 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 53 FIGURE 29. MAIN REASONS EMPLOYERS ARE NOT PLANNING TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE SUPPORT TO THEIR EMPLOYEES Number of employees is too small to justify measure to support childcare 55% The company does not intend to assume responsibility 37% No demand from employees for childcare support 33% The impact of the crises (Economic & Covid-19) has made any new expenditure unaffordable 22% Expected financial cost of childcare support is too high 18% Private companies provide employees’ children with support stipulated by NSSF laws 13% Lack of support amongst company’s leadership 12% Provision related challenges 4% Case for employee retention is not pressing in light of high unemployment & low labor demand 4% Legal and regulatory related challenges 3% Other 2% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% TABLE 12. FINANCIAL, PROVISION AND LEGAL CHALLENGES THAT PREVENTED EMPLOYERS FROM OFFERING CHILDCARE Financial Challenges Provision Challenges Legal Challenges 1. Childcare center’s 1. Finding an existing day-care center that matches 1. Lack of clarity on COVID-19 operating costs employees’ work hours related safety and health 2. Additional admin costs 2. Lack of space to build an on-site day-care center regulations to the org 3. Identifying existing quality, affordable and 2. Lack of clarity on implications on 3. Set-up costs for on on- conveniently located day-care centers liability related to supporting care site daycare of children in relation to Covid-19 4. Creating and administering a childcare voucher pandemic program and setting up a day care center is provided. Some public daycare facilities. Finally, enterprises might businesses reported that they needed guidance on the be reluctant to assume this responsibility unless characteristics of high-quality care and on planning a compelled to do so by the law. As a consequence of childcare solution while a few others mentioned that reduced demand, nursery closures are anticipated they would be encouraged to offer childcare support if by the nurseries’ syndicates, especially in the poorer a higher number of companies started providing them. urban and rural areas. Results from key informant interviews show that Table 12 below summarizes the top barriers listed by Lebanon’s economic and financial crisis is a main surveyed employers by priority, in relation to financial, barrier to increase uptake of private employers’ legal and provision-related challenges. childcare provision. As many businesses are struggling to survive, nursery’s projects are not among their main priorities. Furthermore, devaluation of the Lebanese currency and increased inflation are making childcare services unaffordable. Other barrier mentioned to increase the supply of childcare support is the scarcity of qualified early years educators at private and 54 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 4.2.3. KEY TAKEAWAYS Access to good-quality, affordable childcare works best in combination with other family-friendly FROM INTERNATIONAL GOOD workplace policies and practices (IFC 2019) which PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES: might include safe transportation, flexible working hours and extended maternity leave. Greenland, A LITERATURE REVIEW a footwear manufacturing business in Vietnam, supports parents with onsite kindergarten, enhanced While the benefits of employer-supported childcare maternity leave, medical care for children and have been widely established (IFC 2019), case subsidized housing for migrant workers with children. studies around the world show that there is no “one- The childcare support offered by the company is size fits all” solution and the success of initiatives a key element of the company’s wider strategy to depends on specificities of each company, group of increase recruitment, retention, and productivity employees, and local context, including childcare of workers (IFC 2020). MAS Holdings, an apparel subsidy regulations. Some key takeaways, however, manufacturer, recorded an increase in the number of emerge from successful experiences from around the female employees and a reduction in absences due to world, which are summarized below. sick leave by 9 percent within the first nine months of the introduction of an on-site daycare center, nursing By implementing an employee feedback system, care, breastfeeding room, and safe transport at its businesses can tailor solutions to employees’ needs MAS Kreeda Al Safi-Madaba factory in a remote area and preferences and avoid investing in ineffective of Jordan (IFC 2019). F.J. & G de Saram, a law firm solutions. Based on employee satisfaction surveys, in Sri Lanka, came close to 100 percent maternity Amin Kawar and Sons (AKS), a Jordanian shipping and return rate since their childcare facility was launched. international transportation company, strengthened In addition to an on-site daycare facility, the firm its flexible and remote working policy and offered provides extended maternity leave, work from home childcare solutions. As a result, staff turnover was and flexible work hours upon request (IFC 2018). minimized which, in turn, brought substantial savings related to recruitment and training of new staff If direct support is not a viable alternative, indirect (WBG 2021). In the US, after conducting an employee support through vouchers or subsidies can incentivize survey to gauge the range of employee needs, Home quality options and complement other childcare Depot’s leadership team offered four options to their solutions. However, effective subsidy amounts must employees: on-site childcare, eligible associates be compatible with childcare costs and employees’ backup care, care marketplace (discounts for qualified incomes. At a subsidiary of Borusan Mannesnmann, care) and pre-tax benefit accounts – FSA (U.S. a Turkish heavy manufacturer, the company offers a Chamber of Commerce Foundation 2018). childcare subsidy specifically requested by its male blue-collar workforce to enable their wives to enter the Employer-supported childcare can lead to lower formal workforce. According to the general manager, absenteeism, higher worker retention, and higher initially, the company tried to build its own childcare productivity. Understanding childcare as an facility. However, in the end he realized a monthly investment in the workforce instead of an added subsidy seemed to be the fastest and most efficient cost can increase employers’ motivation to offer solution (IFC 2019). At Taekwang Vina, a footwear childcare solutions. In Pakistan, National Foods manufacturer with factories in Vietnam, supervisors Limited established an on-site daycare facility to believe the monthly childcare subsidy provided to cater to the needs of working parents and other all mothers is one of the most appreciated types family-friendly policies. According to the company, of support because it helps subsidize alternative business benefits related to childcare, such as greater childcare arrangements for parents who are not able, gender diversity and higher maternity return rate and or choose not to, enroll their children in the on-site employee satisfaction, help offset the costs of running kindergarten (IFC 2020). the facility (IFC 2021). A UNICEF-funded study in the Rwanda tea sector showed that on-site childcare significantly improved workers’ productivity as well as workers’ loyalty and retention (Salmaso et al. 2021). The footwear manufacturing company Feng Tay in Vietnam established an on-site kindergarten as an established part of their recruitment and retention strategy (IFC 2020). 4. Mapping and Supply-side Assessment 55 5. DEMAND-SIDE ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES 56 5.1. WOMEN’S ROLE REGARDING CHILDCARE RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOUSEHOLD WORK In Lebanon, childcare duties are mostly carried out The high rate of economic inactivity of women with by women. More than half of the mothers reported young children is largely related to the fulfillment in the household survey carried out to be “always” or of their role as mothers. According to the household “most of the time” the ones who do all childcare tasks survey, women and men agreed, by a majority of 75 such as dressing children, putting them to bed, caring percent, that the care for 0 to 3 year old children is for sick children, doing leisure activities or playing with a task under the family’s responsibility. Women are children, helping with homework and taking children more likely to be absent from work to care for children to and from school/daycare.100 There is a generalized or family members than are men. Balancing work and support for a gendered division of childcare and for the care take a considerable toll on women’s ability to idea that childcare assistance offered by husbands engage in paid activities, particularly in the absence should usually be on an ad-hoc basis or in response of state-supported or subsidized quality childcare. to urgent needs. Similar results were found by the The burden of childcare and domestic chores was UN Women IMAGES (International Men and Gender mentioned as the primary reason by most women Equality Survey) in which 83 percent of women reported as to why they were not available to work and/or that it is always or usually they who are responsible not actively looking for a job (60-70 percent). This for daily routine care of children in households in result is aligned with the Arab Barometer survey that Lebanon. In addition, 80 percent of men and 72 found that a lack of childcare options was cited by percent of women reported that the husband’s role respondents as the main barrier to their participation in childcare work is mostly as a helper.101 Women also in the labor force (69 percent, Arab Barometer reported that husbands spend too little time with the 2021).103 Another qualitative study of women and children (75 percent) and that their main role in caring men in the North Lebanon, Beirut/Mount Lebanon for children is as their financial providers (77 percent).102 and South/Nabatieh regions revealed that childcare is Referring to the household survey, 62 percent of men a contributing factor for women regardless of where and 45 percent of women, who responded, agree that they are in their decision-making process about work when jobs are scarce, men should have more rights to (Elzir Assy and Sayed, 2018). Working women had a job than women. On the same question, the Second fewer children with a smaller share having children State of the Mashreq Women Report (Redaelli, S et al., below the age of six. Figure 30 demonstrates that 2023), shows consistent percentages of agreement having children aged 0 to 6 years is a determinant from 70 percent and 50 percent for men and women of labor force non-participation across all education respectively. levels. Moreover, the more children a woman has, the lower the probability of participation. “We do not have any discussion and no help is given but it happens sometimes without pre-planning. For example, he can help with washing dishes or playing with children,” (FGD, non-working woman, urban poor, Beirut and Mount Lebanon) 100 The conclusions should be interpreted with caution. They represent the conclusions of the surveyed mother, which is not representative of all mothers with children aged 0-3 in Lebanon. Please refer to the methodology section for more details. 101 Respondents were ever married men and women who were questioned about childcare tasks for the youngest or most recent child. 102 https://www.equimundo.org/resources/international-men-gender-equality-survey-lebanon-summary/ 103 https://www.arabbarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/Public-Opinion-Lebanon-Country-Report-2021-En-1.pdf 5. Demand-side Assessment for Childcare Services 57 FIGURE 30. PROBABILITY OF FLFP BY “He is not against me working but he NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD would not like me to fall behind in my (0-6 YEARS), AND EDUCATION LEVEL, 25+, house duties” 2018/2019 (FGD, working woman, urban poor, North) 0.7 “I don’t agree that my wife should work. 0.6 It Is not her job to make money. I don’t 0.5 even agree to get a babysitter, that is my PROBABILITY mindset” 0.4 (FGD, man, urban affluent, Beirut and Mount Lebanon) 0.3 0.2 Studies have shown that societal expectations about 0.1 women’s traditional roles at home contribute to 0 gender biases in hiring practices among employers Illiterate or Primary Secondary University who may be reluctant to hire women (World Bank NA 2020d). In a 2018 gender technical assessment carried 0 1 2 3orplus out to understand female constraints in accessing jobs in Lebanon, the majority of employers interviewed Source: World Bank; UN Women. 2021. The Status of Women in reported preferences for hiring men because of their Lebanon. individual beliefs regarding women’s care roles at home. A share of employers raised doubts about Women identified lack of time and fear of failure with women’s ability to take on management positions or childcare responsibilities as reasons for not working, jobs they considered “more suited for men” (Elzir Assy and some also mentioned husbands not allowing it, as 2018). Such traditional roles are generally favored by per the results of the FDGs (see quotes below). Women men — and often by women who consider it to be the from poor urban and rural areas were more likely to norm. When asked about challenges to entering or consider lack of child support as a major reason for not staying in the workforce, many women in Lebanon working. Those from more affluent areas were more bring up family and spousal disapproval, which is likely to attribute their non-working status to personal in line with other reports that point to the roles conviction or their husbands wishes. Studies show that that men have in influencing women’s (specifically women consider factors such as job flexibility, having spouses) career choices, particularly given concerns no small children at home, availability of a nursery about interference with household ‘duties’ (Elzir Assy and encouragement from the spouse’s family far more 2018).104 About 23 percent of women and around than men do when deciding whether to work (Akeel 30 percent of men believe that it is more important 2009, Elzir Assy and Sayed 2018). for a woman to marry than to have a career (World Bank 2020e, El Feki et al. 2017). During the FDGs with mothers and fathers of young children, there was also “I stopped working because no one can an observed acceptance of social norms that dictate take care of my children and my husband that women should prioritize taking care of children could not take care of them” and the household over employment. For employed (FGD, non-working woman, rural poor, North) mothers, most husbands encouraged them to work on the condition of not falling short of household and “I prefer to raise my child and give them to childcare duties. needed care and attention then go back to work after the child grows up” (FGD, non-working woman, urban affluent, South) Elzir Assy conducted a qualitative study between November and December 2017. To capture a representative picture, the study 104 consisted of 32 focus groups segmented by region, gender, age and labor market status. It was carried out in the three main regions of Lebanon: North Lebanon, Beirut/Mount Lebanon and South Lebanon/Nabetieh. It also included in-depth interviews with employers, conducted in January 2018. 58 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Employed women continue to bear the double burden “We became teachers and maids at home, of balancing a job and the invisible work of taking working 24/24 hours” care of children and household chores. In the FDGs (FGD, non-working woman, rural poor, South) women estimated that childcare duties usually take up on average 6 hours but can go up to 12 hours a day. Women feel they are always on duty as sole caregivers. Despite identifying a heavy workload, the majority Regardless of employment status, mothers reported of women (and men) in the household survey experiencing increased stress level and pressure to claimed they were satisfied (62 percent) or very not fail. All women consider personal time valuable, satisfied (19 percent) with the distribution of however, employed women reported having virtually childcare responsibilities in their household. Such no time to take care of themselves. results reinforce the idea that there is an acceptance of designated gender roles in childcare. Male respondents mentioned that mothers’ care is essential “We are superwomen because we are and irreplaceable while fathers’ main role is to give forced to work then come back home; take children a sense of security, be a moral compass and care of the house chores, check on the be the breadwinner. However, a nascent tendency of children and in case your baby is sick you accepting working wives by both men and women have to attend to them while the man goes was perceived by a limited number of respondents to the office to sit behind the desk and through the focus group discussions. It seems that the comes back home to sleep. The woman, on main reason could be because the two-income family the other hand, needs to always maintain is becoming a financial imperative due to the current the balance” dire economic situation. The second reason could (FGD, working woman, urban affluent, South). be that husbands believe that marriage is an equal partnership with shared rights and responsibilities “I have no time to take care of myself. I and that their wives should make the most out of their come home from work to do more work” hard-earned education. (FGD, working woman, urban poor, Beirut and Mount Lebanon). “It is a must for both the man and the wife to work especially in our economic The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation” increased women’s time spent on childcare and (FGD, man, urban affluent, Bekaa). household duties. Between 60 to 70 percent of surveyed women in the demand-side survey mentioned that time devoted to childcare105 and household duties increased as opposed to 28 to 45 percent of men. Furthermore, even in affluent communities, it was observed that there is very limited reliance on domestic migrant labors, which was further reduced during the pandemic, which may be due to the fact that a share of the population could no longer afford domestic migrant labor due to their decreasing purchasing power following the economic crisis in Lebanon.106 On top of other duties, women assumed the burden of supervising online teaching and keeping children occupied. 105 Childcare activities considered were caring for children, including feeding and physical care; playing with, talking and reading to children; instructing, teaching, training, children. 106 See UN Women, World Bank (2021) Status of Women in Lebanon Report which reports that “An international assessment conducted of migrant workers found that close to 80 percent had lost their income since the financial/economic crisis of 2019; one third of those losses were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic (UNOCHA 2020).” 5. Demand-side Assessment for Childcare Services 59 5.2. CURRENT UTILIZATION OF CHILDCARE SERVICES The current utilization level of childcare services The higher cost of childcare services and the COVID-19 is low across Lebanon.107 As previously mentioned, pandemic contributed to the reduced demand for data gathered from nurseries illustrate a capacity such services. Key informants from both the public utilization of only 58 percent – i.e., the number of and private sector mentioned the reduced purchasing children enrolled divided by the number of seats power of parents, coupled with the increased costs available (capacity). Enrollment rates in nurseries affecting affordability as key reasons for a decrease among children aged 0-3 is estimated to range only in the demand for private nurseries. Before the COVID between 3 and 6 percent of all children aged 0-3 in pandemic, there was a slight increase in the number Lebanon, which means that only 3 to 6 percent of of children in care as a result of awareness campaigns children aged between 0-3 years old are enrolled in a and an increase in the rate of female employment. On formal childcare center in Lebanon.108 According to the the other hand, a key informant emphasized that the results of the household survey with parents of young sector is very heterogeneous with a mix of high-quality children, in most surveyed households, parents (most and low-quality nurseries. likely mothers) are the exclusive caregivers of small children. Family members, especially grandmothers, Devastating devaluation of the Lebanese currency help occasionally in many households but not in a (LBP) and increased inflation are making childcare consistent manner. There are significant regional services unaffordable and rather a luxury. According differences in terms of rate of utilization at the to two nursery syndicates, private childcare was household level with relatively high rates in the South already relatively expensive in relation to incomes and Beirut-Mount Lebanon, while in the North the prior to the crisis. As the private nursery sector rate was close to zero, consistent with the childcare adjusts its costs to keep up with the run-away provider desert as previously discussed. According to inflation, it is expected that childcare will become an FGDs, most parents enroll their children in nurseries even greater “luxury.” Furthermore, the dire economic when they are older than 2 years old, when they can situation has pushed many households to dismiss express themselves, are toilet trained and able to feed migrant domestic workers (Kassamali, 2021). The themselves. FGDs confirmed there is a relatively high lack of home-based alternatives to childcare has and registration in kindergarten compared to nursery continues to exacerbate the pressure for childcare for childcare even if children were not regularly attending. working women and thus will require larger efforts especially by companies and the private sector to consider offering childcare solutions in the future, “I would prefer to enroll my child once a national economic recovery is foreseeable. immediately into KG because at that age children can talk and express themselves, know the colors, and be ready” (FGD, man, rural poor, Beirut and Mount Lebanon). 107 Childcare and preschool services include daycare center, nursey, pre-school, afterschool program, self-organized childcare group, a babysitter, or other paid or unpaid arrangement on a consistent basis. 108 The estimations are based on 2021 and 2023 survey results, using population data from United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects 2022, Online Edition. A range is provided due to the low numbers in 2021 used as a basis for the calculation as, in 2021, nurseries were operating at an average capacity of 50% due to COVID-19 restriction, with some nurseries (e.g. public ones) closed for a good part of the year. Estimations are done applying CAGR from absolute numbers of enrollment in 2021 CATI, CAPI and 2023 CAPI. 60 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY “We cannot take the past 5 years as one “The supply and demand for childcare package, since the past two years were services are not equal. There are too exceptional. Of course, there has been generations and geographical areas that a very big turnout at daycare centers are reluctant to enroll their children in for many reasons. First of all, there were nurseries, be it for financial reasons or many awareness campaigns carried out due to traditions” (KII8) by all the public and civil bodies that have (Mr. Charbel Abi Nader, President of the Syndicate of encouraged the parents to enroll their Specialized Nurseries’Owners in Lebanon) children in daycare centers… Secondly, the increase in the percentage of working women has also resulted in more children being enrolled in childcare.” (Ms. Abeer Abdel Samad, Head of the NGO Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs – MOSA) 5.3. POTENTIAL DEMAND FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES The potential demand for formal childcare is strong, For mothers who would be willing to use paid formal especially among working women, reflecting their childcare, willingness to pay is lower than the cost need for childcare support, with preference for paid by current users. Yet, untapped demand is also free services. Over half of surveyed parents who are noticeable among unemployed women (39 percent) non-users of formal center-based childcare, may be who are currently less likely to benefit from formal willing to use formal childcare. Regardless of whether childcare services than employed mothers. parents prefer paid services or free services, the survey indicates that private facilities are preferred Though the sub-sample with fathers of young children over public ones among respondents109 (Figure 31 and in the survey conducted for this report is not nationally Figure 32 ). Furthermore, findings based on nationally representative, results suggest that fathers are as representative data collected110 under the Second willing or more than mothers to send their children to State of the Mashreq Women Report, which focuses free or paid daycare (Figure 33). on the care economy (Redaelli, S et al., 2023), indicate that in Lebanon the untapped demand for formal The idea that mothers should be the ones to look childcare services is strictly conditional on services after their own young children is the primary reason being provided at no cost. The report shows that, in mentioned by both women and men not willing to use Lebanon, among mothers of children below primary formal childcare services. For mothers, the lack of school age not currently using formal childcare trust in daycare centers or other people caring for their services,111 up to 22 percent would be willing to use children came in second, followed by the cost of care these services: 17 percent free care only, 2 percent being too expensive. For fathers, cost was the second paid care only and 3 percent either paid or free. In main reason. A key informant mentioned that social Lebanon, 39 percent of employed women with children norms seem particularly strong in rural areas where the 0-5 not currently using childcare, would be willing to rate of working women is low. The informant mentioned use this service. Leveraging untapped demand might the strong reluctance of rural mothers to enroll their require subsidizing the cost of childcare services, children in nurseries. This problem is also present in especially given the current situation in Lebanon. Beirut but to a lesser extent. On the other hand, another 109 As previously mentioned is not nationally representative of households with young children. 110 The analysis of the Report is based on primary data on time-use and demand for childcare services collected (phone survey) from a sample of 2,168 women and 1,101 men in Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon between March and June 2021. 111 This includes mothers aged 20-55 who were not using any form of childcare or only using informal childcare. The data on willingness to use childcare was collected from mothers who do not use childcare “under normal circumstances”, i.e., before the pandemic began. 5. Demand-side Assessment for Childcare Services 61 FIGURE 31. WILLINGNESS TO USE PAID DAY key informant noticed that, though social norms are CARE SERVICES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL still a main influential factor on parents´ decision to send their children to a daycare center, this is starting to change. Increased access to social media has a major role on a higher acceptance of the idea of working 9% 8% women. However, new centers established in non- State only affluent urban areas do not always meet the expected 19% Private only standards. Either Increasing parents´ awareness of the benefits of early 46% No education and increasing transparency on tuition, 18% Don’t know rules and regulations were mentioned as essential elements in increasing the demand for childcare services. An informant mentioned that parents are discouraged from putting their children in daycare when nurseries’ owners are not clear about tuition, rules and regulations. Parents as well as nurseries need to be fully aware of all regulations and costs involved. FIGURE 32. WILLINGNESS TO USE FREE DAY According to an employer who provides a daycare CARE SERVICES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL centre, the way forward is to promote awareness among working mothers: “We need to explain to them the benefits of early childhood education (ECE) 9% 8% compared to keeping the children at home, as well as the financial benefits of having a free childcare centre State only run by the company,” assuming the ECE and childcare 22% Private only service centers are of good quality and a stimulating Either environment for the children, compared to staying at 43% No home. Don’t know 18% “If you are to look at social norms more ten years ago, people were much more resistant to the concept of nurseries, especially in non-affluent urban areas, Source: authors’ calculations using the demand side survey such as Dahye and Ghoubeiri. However, in this day and age, people have realized the importance of childcare and FIGURE 33. WILLINGNESS OF WOMEN AND there has actually been an increase in MEN TO USE FREE OR PAID CHILDCARE childcare centers in these neighborhoods. SERVICES (CHILDREN 0-4) Nonetheless, the standards of these centers do not meet the standards set by the ministry because they have to remain Women 47% 19% 17% 7% 10% somehow affordable based on the areas PAID that they are servicing (KII8)”. Men 42% 20% 21% 13% 4% (Mr. Charbel Abi Nader, President of the Syndicate of Specialized Nurseries’ Owners in Lebanon) Women 44% 23% 17% 6% 10% FREE Attitudes towards formal childcare Men 35% 20% 24% 16% 5% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Benefits of enrollment in early childhood education No Private Daycare Only Either mentioned by parents were related to social, State Service Only Don't Know emotional, and educational development while concerns were associated with poor access and quality of services, financial costs, health concerns Source: author’s calculations using the demand side survey as well as social norms (Figure 34). 62 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Positive Educational Development. According to most parents, nurseries are important to prepare children to attend Most parents recognize the benefits of high-quality kindergarten. This perception has been reinforced nursery care on children’s social, emotional, and by certain schools, mainly centered in urban areas, educational development. Nurseries were also that require a pre-kindergarten phase. Parents expect considered important to relieve the pressure of nurseries to provide an “education foundation” – childcare on already stressed mothers. where young children learn communication, language, and psychomotor skills. Parents from affluent areas Social and Emotional benefits. Participants recognized emphasized the importance of learning specific skill the importance of social contact with other children. sets: learning words, language, pronunciation and A positive aspect mentioned is that in organized refinement of motor skills such as holding a pen, drawing activities, children learn to interact while having fun and coloring. and releasing energy. Parents believe that the social contact and a nurturing environment can develop the “Rather than staying at grandmother children’s personality, help them express themselves, watching television all day, the nursery is develop healthy eating habits and make them more a better option where my child can learn independent while teaching them how to share and music and new information” not be selfish. (FGD, working woman, urban affluent, North). “I enrolled my child in a nursery to build his personality, especially at 3 years” “Don’t want my child to be an introvert or to imitate me. I would like her to learn (FGD, non-working women, urban affluent, Bekaa). coloring and holding a pen and they have play activities” (FGD, non-working woman, urban affluent, North). FIGURE 34. PARENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION POSITIVE NEGATIVE Soci l int r ctions Moth rs r irr pl c bl t this D v lopm nt of child's p rson lit Risk of dis s s nd poor h i nic m sur s Promotion of child's ind p nd nc F r of n l ct H lth tin h bits Afford bilit (cost) Educ tion found tion for kind r rt n Acc s bilit (dist nc nd loc tion) Disciplin nd routin R liv pr ssur on str ss d-out moth rs H lp workin p r nts without lt rn tiv workin rr n m nts 5. Demand-side Assessment for Childcare Services 63 Negative Accessibility (distance and location). Another concern was lack of access to conveniently located nurseries, Reluctance of parents to enroll their small children which was more serious in outlying areas, non-coastal in nurseries was related to social norms, health, and inland regions in the North. In the Beirut and Mount financial reasons, fear of neglect and accessibility. Lebanon governorates, traffic was cited as problem. A father mentioned that a 15 km distance that should in Social norms. Both male and female participants in theory be a 20-minute trip can turn into a two-hour focus group discussions mentioned that the love of the journey in congested traffic. mother is irreplaceable at this age and children should stay at home. Some employed moms trusted family “In my area, there are not enough support more than nursery care while other moms nurseries, and the nearest ones are far mentioned separation anxiety. Mothers and fathers away” of poor urban and rural areas believed that nurseries (FGD, working woman, urban poor, North). were only intended to assist employed mothers. Health and Hygiene. Parents were also reluctant to In focus group discussions about kindergarten, send children to nurseries because of risk of diseases participants expressed a negative opinion of early and contagion, a concern that was exacerbated by the childhood education standards in public schools. COVID 19 pandemic. There was a fear that nursery This was related to crowded classrooms, low staff to centers did not have adequate hygiene protocols and student ratio, unmotivated teachers, poor supervision, neglected children’s needs. lack of school supplies and hygiene-related issues. A few parents emphasized that such issues varied Affordability (Cost). Unaffordability of childcare was depending on the quality of individual school a concern of both male and female participants of all administrations. social classes both in urban and rural areas. I would not prefer public KGs because for “If my wife works then she will spend her every 20 children with is 1 teacher, while in salary on nursery fees and transportation.” the private sector there are 8 children with (FGD, man urban poor, South). 1 teacher” (FGD, man, urban poor, South). “Our income is too low, we barely have enough to pay for food and rent.” “Public centers are unhygienic compared (FGD, non-working woman, rural poor, Bekaa). to private ones, for example the toilets are not clean” (FGD, working woman, rural poor, Bekaa). Fear of neglect. A couple of parents were concerned with physical and verbal abuse and negligence. Many parents were concerned that a child may be subject “Public schools are already bad so what to ill-tempered or inexperienced care givers. In do you expect from a public KG or worse a general, concern was more focused on impatience and public nursery?” negligence than physical abuse. (FGD, man, urban poor, Bekaa). “I hear from relatives that when they pick their child from nursery, they pick him up asleep and they are worried what they are giving him to sleep” (FGD, man, urban affluent, North). 64 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 5.4. QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS ON PARENTS’ EXPECTATIONS TOWARDS CHILDCARE SERVICES During focus group discussions, parents expressed a top priority. Childcare centers were expected to their expectations and preferences related to several ensure that nutritional and hygienic needs of children aspects of childcare centers (Table 13). The presence were taken care of. Affordable and nearby centers of caring and experienced teachers and staff who were preferred by parents who also expected to have stimulate children’s learning and development was an open communication channel with them. TABLE 13. PARENTS’ EXPECTATIONS AND PREFERENCES • Professional experience is more valuable than a graduate degree. • Management and staff should be professional, conscientious, and organized. Staff and • Any corporal punishment or abuse is vehemently rejected. teachers • There should be enough staff to maintain hygiene standards and control the class. • Younger children are expected to require more attention than older children. • No general agreement on the optimal number of children per classroom. Number of • Employed women and men prefer a low number of students per class and per teacher ranging from 3-5 children children to 10-15 children in each class. In general, non-working mothers were slightly more accepting of a higher number of students per teacher. • Sufficient staff to assist children to eat, go to the toilet and change diapers. Hygiene, health • Clean premises, particularly, toilet and kitchen areas in a center. Center • Adequate activities to stimulate children´s learning and skills development. This is perceived to be a main Activities differentiator between private and public facilities, although not all private centers live up to the ideals. Nurse and a • A doctor on call and a nurse in the center. A minority expressed a wish for a psychologist, a special teacher doctor or speech therapist for those with delayed speech. Meals • Nurseries are expected to provide nutritious meals. Proximity • Preference for nearby affordable centers. • The urban poor and rural groups and even some urban affluent feel there is a barrier to accessing Access to affordable good quality childcare. affordable • Certain parents believe that they are unable to consider the option of early childcare, particularly nursery childcare care that is largely private and fee-paying. • Located away from highways, preferably in a peaceful and attractive location. • Be surrounded by high perimeter walls. Windows should be at a sufficiently safe height from the ground level. Safe buildings/ • Be bright/sunlit without dampness. Ventilated with heating/Air conditioning system. infrastructure • An independent structure, not an apartment in a building, is preferred. • Distant from generators and the related pollution. • Security system (though cameras are prohibited now by the government). • Electric wiring/adaptors should be hidden/out of reach. No accessible glass surfaces Material/ • Sufficient number of toys. Child-friendly material/furniture (e.g small-low furniture, safe drawing furniture materials. Floors should be safe and covered in child-safe materials. • Open communication with parents who wish to be kept informed of educational development issues and to Parent-school be quickly notified about any sickness or health problems. comms/others • Attractive child-friendly interior design, separate rooms for the different child activities: dining, sleeping, playing. Outdoor space/ playground/garden. 5. Demand-side Assessment for Childcare Services 65 5.5. SUGGESTIVE WILLINGNESS TO PAY Over half the surveyed households were not willing of surveyed households indicated that they would not to pay for childcare (Table 14). Parents (regardless be willing to pay for childcare services and a minority, of them being users/non-users of formal childcare only 19 percent, indicated willingness to pay. Social services) were asked about the share of the monthly norms around the acceptance of not having the household income that they would be willing to pay for mother taking care of the children are contributing to childcare of acceptable quality, regardless of whether these results. they are users of childcare services.112 Over 50 percent TABLE 14. HOUSEHOLD SUGGESTED WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE   Count Percent Not willing to pay 333 55.50% Willing to pay 112 18.60% Refused to answer 44 7.30% Does not know 111 18.50% Total 600 100.00% TABLE 15. AVERAGE AMOUNT HH ARE PAYING AND SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE (0-5 YEARS), BY GOVERNORATE AND IN TOTAL (LBP WITH US$ EQUIVALENCE USING PARALLEL RATE AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION)113 North Beirut & Mount Lebanon South Bekaa Total Currently paying/Household 566,667 (US$29) 652,656 (US$33) 650,000 (US$33) 408,333 (US$21) 615,467 (US$32) Willing to pay/Household 650,000 (US$33) 707,894 (US$36) 583,333 (US$30) 607,143 (US$31) 642,000 (US$33) Note: Values in parenthesis correspond to the equivalent in $US. Calculations correspond to the exchange rate US$1=LBP19,527 for the period July 13 – August 12, 2021, when the demand survey was conducted. 112 Furthermore, ‘childcare’ was defined to respondents as ‘services for taking care of child such as a nursery, a pre-school, a nanny, other caregivers who help for a fee, etc. This does not include food, clothes and other expenses regarding children.’ 113 Household current and willingness to pay was based on those affirming they are currently paying and those expressing willingness to pay respectively, cross tabulated with families having children between 0 and 5 years, not older. 66 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY OPTIONS 67 This mixed-methods study examines the childcare in this direction (for a comprehensive discussion of arrangements and needs of households with young policy recommendations, see Redaelli et al.115). It children in Lebanon and contrasts them relative to is worth noting, that the consequences of a policy the provision of childcare services in the country. The cannot be viewed in isolation,116 and that households study collects new evidence and document practices, will behave differently based on the combination of norms, and behaviors around care needs, focusing on state policies in place and the number of available the role of women as caregivers and care providers. options. Policy options are framed under a four- The analysis focuses on services for children in the pronged strategy aimed at achieving: 0-3 age group and involves primary data collection on both the demand and the supply of childcare. (i) an enabling environment for efficient, affordable provision of quality childcare services, In line with the findings from the second State of the (ii) a more equitable distribution of the unpaid care Mashreq Women report (Redaelli, S. et al., 2023), this work burden within the household, report confirms low enrollment and limited utilization (iii) improved State support to address households’ of childcare services in Lebanon. This might reflect care needs, and limited availability of childcare services (supply), (iv) inclusive family-friendly workplace conditions but also unwillingness from families to use childcare (private sector) services due to preferences for home care, existing social norms regarding women’s role in the household, The adoption of policy reforms often relies on the limited accessibility (demand), and/or a mismatch political momentum in a country and the successful between demand and supply of childcare services. At and persistent negotiations among responsible a more general institutional level, Lebanon does not agencies and the government.117 It is recommended have a comprehensive childcare policy nor a strategy that the Government develops a comprehensive vision that guides in terms of objectives, implementation and and long-term plan to improve the affordability, budget of childcare services/programs. The current accessibility and quality of childcare services. Table 16 childcare policies are limited (focused on licensing only) provides a matrix of potential reforms that could be and not suited to support mothers who are working or considered, with a timeline (short term – less than 5 willing to work. years, medium – between 5-10 years, and long term – more than 10 years) and proposed agencies to be For women, the decision of whether to join the labor engaged. force and use formal/informal childcare services are connected. Any policy aimed at enhancing women’s According to best practices,118 the combination access to the labor market, should recognize of family friendly work policies coupled with an the simultaneous nature of these decisions, and expansion in quality childcare services would have a guarantee appropriate childcare support as its positive impact on women’s labor force participation. foundation.114 Formal childcare is a key element in Also, a combination of demand and supply subsidies creating viable opportunities of income generation is considered as the best strategy for paying for for women, and to foster children development. The childcare while encouraging healthy competition and remainder of this chapter briefly discusses policy maintaining quality. options aimed at better supporting Lebanese families 114 See for instance Mateo Díaz, Mercedes, and Lourdes Rodriguez-Chamussy. 2016. Cashing in on Education: Women, Childcare, and Prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin American Development Forum. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/ core/bitstreams/233b2f71-001a-5a05-a279-a681a9e70387/content 115 Redaelli,Silvia; Lnu,Anukriti; Buitrago Hernandez,Sandra Paola; Ismail,Tala. State of the Mashreq Women Flagship : Who Cares? - Care Work and Women’s Labor Market Outcomes in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents. worldbank.org/curated/en/099000502222338765/P16815701c336d00e095dc093ef29af40a7 116 Diaz, M. M., and L. Rodriguez-Chamussy (2016). Cashing in on Education – Women, Childcare and Prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Washington, DC: IDB (Inter-American Development Bank). 117 The Road to Reforming Ethiopia’s Policies on Maternity and Paternity Leave, provides insight into how Ethiopia increased the duration of paid maternity leave from 90 to 120 days and introduced three days of paid paternity leave in 2019. It also explores the critical role of political momentum and tripartite negotiations among the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions, Ethiopian Employers’ Federation, and the government, coupled with persistence by the country’s trade unions, that led to the adoption of the reform. Alemayehu, M., Khaitina, V., Woldeyesus, K., Mykhalchenko, O. and Schulz, K. (2023). The Road to Reforming Ethiopia’s Policies on Maternity and Paternity Leave. [online] Available at: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099318205292329927/pdf/ IDU059d92bf30a959042a90beaf0e2e4952e8aa1.pdf. 118 (Diaz, M,M. & Rodriguez-Chamussy, L., 2016), (Alemayehu, M. et al 2023), ( Del Boca, D. & Locatelli, M. 2006) and (Devercelli, A. & Beaton-Day, F. 2020) 68 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE 16. MATRIX OF POTENTIAL REFORMS AND PROPOSED TIMELINE Four-Pronged Proposed Reforms Prioritization Key Agencies Strategy Develop a comprehensive, multi- Presidency of the Council of Ministers Short Term sectoral national childcare strategy (PCM) Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Revise and properly enforce minimum Short Term Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA)/ quality standards Higher Council for Childhood (HCC) Establish professional standards Ministry of Education and Higher Enable environment establishing competences of a quality Short Term for efficient, Education (MEHE) workforce affordable provision Ministry of Labor (MOL) of quality childcare National Commission for Lebanese services Women (NCLW) Improve the data environment to support planning, monitoring, and Center of Educational Research and evaluation of childcare policies (unified Medium Term Development (CERD) system that links up-to-date registry Syndicate of nursery owners in of all licensed providers) Lebanon International community (IRC, K2P) Improve the Lebanese legal system to enhance the enabling environment for employers and employees to benefit Short Term from childcare solutions and family- friendly policies Ministry of Labor (MOL) Improve state Address care needs of most vulnerable MOSA, MOPH, MEHE, support to address households by addressing affordability household care Medium Term International agencies and CSOs and accessibility constraints to quality needs care National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) Expand the availability of affordable and quality small-scale childcare Medium Term options, with a diversification of modalities (e.g. home-based care) Develop and implement information Distribute unpaid and communication campaigns (critical household role of fathers and mothers, importance MOSA, MOPH, MEHE, MOL, NCLW work burden of ECD for children’s well-being and Medium to Long Syndicate of Advertisement Agencies more equitably, development) addressing social Term Ministry of Transport norms Ministry of Energy and Water Improve access to basic services to reduce women’s indirect care work burden (e.g. energy, water, technology) Support childcare solutions to respond Short Term to the needs of employees Improve internal policies for family- Private Sector friendly workplace within private sector Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Short Term firms that would attract and retain Agriculture, Beirut and Mount Lebanon Family-friendly talent (CCIA-BML) workplace MOL, NCLW, MOPH, MOSA conditions in the Support campaigns that highlight the private sector business aspects in terms of economic Short to Medium value of investing in a more gender Term diverse workforce Provide incentives to increase uptake of Short to Medium employer-supported childcare Term 6. Conclusions and Policy Options 69 Provide an enabling environment for efficient and benefit from childcare solutions and family- provision of quality childcare services friendly policies. KIIs and survey results suggest multiple recommendations, including the following: Creating an enabling environment for efficient provision of quality childcare services is a crucial step a. Ratification of international standards such as towards addressing households’ care needs. Activities No.183 to provide maternity protection in the in this direction include: form of breastfeeding breaks. b. Adoption of 10 nonconsecutive day of paternity 1. Developing multi-sectoral national childcare policies leave that can be taken within two months and strategies detailing objectives, implementation from the birth of the child. plans, budget and appropriate institutional c. Adoption of flexible working conditions arrangements (i.e., delegating a formal ECCE including but not limited to part time work, coordinating body or ministry to lead and manage remote work and compressed work schedules. activities). d. Update of maternity leave to match the ILO’s recommended duration of 14 weeks instead of 2. Revising and properly enforcing minimum quality 10 (International Labor Organization, 2014). standards for various types of ECCE service e. Adoption of a family care leave of 5 days per providers, encouraged through incentives to perform year. well and sanctioned when standards are not met. f. Consider creating a legal requirement for Governments could explore, along with inspection private sector companies that employ a visits, complementary monitoring activities such minimum number of employees to provide as self-assessment surveys, introducing child childcare solutions to their employees (in development assessments and parental feedback, addition to creating the requirement, provisions and engaging parents. would have to be made for enforcing it) – ideally this would be paired with a program to 3. Establishing professional standards and recognizing support the private sector in this task (through competences of ECCE workforce. technical guidance, financial support, training 4. Improving the data environment to support of professionals, etc.). planning, monitoring, and evaluation of care policies. g. Expansion in the coverage of the NSSF to allow This could be done by developing a Monitoring and mothers on unpaid leave to maintain their Information system (MIS) that provides an up-to- entitlement to the medical and maternity date registry of all licensed providers, and that (medical) coverage during their absence. is also integrated with administrative records (vital statistics records) to better assess capacity 2. Addressing care needs of most vulnerable and enrollment (and identify supply/demand households (who face the strongest affordability constraints). Future reforms could include a constraints) by, for example, including care specific mandate on periodic data collection and/ related support in existing safety net programs or reporting from both public agencies and service and public work programs (e.g., childcare services providers. at worksites), providing monetary allowances to poorer households, and/or providing free or heavily Improve State support to address household care subsidized standalone childcare services (e.g., needs through community and home-based programs). Mashreq countries, including Lebanon, have for the 3. Expanding the availability of affordable and quality most part delegated the provision of care services to small-scale childcare options, with a diversification the market. Coverage of care policies, including (limited) of modalities to fill the gap in childcare deserts financial support for households’ care needs, is very through public private partnerships as well as, for limited as it is mostly restricted to formal workers. In example, establishing a lean regulatory framework a context characterized by fiscal constraints such that to allow licensing of home-based childcare services, of Lebanon, this objective could be achieved through also by facilitating access to credit for small a progressive and multipronged approach which childcare businesses, and/or integrating ECCE focuses on: provision into existing community-based healthcare programs. 1. Improving the Lebanese legal system to enhance the enabling environment for employers and employees 70 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Distributing unpaid household work burden more Lebanese employers would benefit from developing equitably a better understanding of their employees’ needs, including childcare needs, if they are to ensure their 1. Developing and implementing information and retention, satisfaction, as well as productivity at communication campaigns to raise awareness work. Employers can gain from consulting and about the critical role that both fathers and listening to workers in both formal and informal ways mothers play in child development, as well about to develop solutions that work for all sides. There are the importance of early childhood development. many opportunities for employers to begin providing For instance, in-person interventions (facilitated low-cost childcare and family-friendly policies such through social workers/health centers) aimed at as back-up childcare services, telecommuting, flexible equipping at-home caregivers to provide their work hours, employee support groups and parental children with stimulating environments at home; webinars, or discussing corporate discounts to be communication campaigns with wider audiences offered by near-site daycare centers. conducted on radio, TV and social media (e.g., to encourage fathers to increase their participation 1. Supporting childcare needs of employees through in parenting). Communication regulatory agencies existing quality childcare services. When deciding could also consider working on the establishment which childcare solution is the best fit, employers of guidelines to promote more positive gender roles need to assess their resources as well as their and to fight gender stereotyping in marketing and employees´ demands for different types of support. advertising. The syndicate of nurseries suggests that the private sector invest in supporting the childcare 2. An important step in this direction would be to needs of their employees through existing childcare recognize unpaid care work of both men and women nurseries rather than investing in the setup of new at the national policy level. For instance, recognizing on-site facilities. This solution would remove the at least 14 days of paid paternity leave could be burden of care responsibility from companies and an important first step in supporting a greater enable the hard-pressed nursery sector to survive parental responsibility-sharing. by giving them a reliable income. Establishing a partnership with a specific center or network of 3. Improving access to basic services to reduce centers or developing a childcare voucher program women’s indirect care work burden which would would allow firms to be part of the solution without also contribute to a more equitable distribution incurring large cost of opening an on-site facility of care responsibilities. Investments in water, and running it, for example. sanitation, electricity (and clean energy, in general) and labor- and time-saving technology, are critical 2. Improving internal policies for a family-friendly to enable women to spend less time doing very workplace within private sector firms that would low productivity tasks. These investments should attract and retain talent. Such policies could include incorporate gender-sensitive approaches (e.g., flexible working hours (including compressed context-specific gender analyses) and engage work schedules), transportation allowance and women in project design and investment decisions. solutions, part-time options, breastfeeding breaks and availability of rooms. On the legal front, much Additional recommendations to promote private opportunity remains to improve working conditions sector support for childcare and the status of employer-supported childcare in Lebanon (see previous section). As a start, pending As described in the previous section, only 5 percent policies and the ratification of international of sampled employers in Lebanon offer childcare standards can be advocated for. Through concerted services. This serves as a call to action to create better actions in this area, concerned entities can play an workplaces that support all employees with family important role in supporting young children, their responsibilities. Access to quality, affordable childcare families and the business community. is a pressing problem for working families, making it essential for the private sector’s participation in this 3. Childcare support tends to be more effective when area, allowing more women to join and remain in the combined with family-friendly workplace policies, labor force and contributing to the country’s economic as needed (IFC 2019, 2020). Childcare solutions recovery. One of the most valuable resources for should be tailored to employees´ demands and an employer is retaining talent and improving employers´ resources, preferably with support from performance and productivity. experts in the field. In general, employers should 6. Conclusions and Policy Options 71 see investment in childcare as a strategic business 4. Models with different financing modalities: (a) un- decision based on securing leadership buy-in and subsidized model: discussing corporate discounts or support, reviewing business goals and strategy, offers for employees with near-site daycare centers; understanding employees’ needs (through an (b) partially subsidized model: A partial childcare employee feedback system), and considering the subsidy (child allowance) provided to employees; or company’s capacity and resources (IFC 2019). (c) fully subsidized model: Partnering with existing near-site daycare centers instead of setting up on- 4. Support campaigns that raise awareness of the site facilities if that is an option. This could be done importance of women’s participation in the labor through a voucher system established between the force, highlighting the business aspects in terms of employer and near-site daycare centers. economic value of investing in a more gender diverse workforce. Likewise, campaigns to explain the value • Family friendly policies: of childcare provision should be incentivized not only to increase women’s economic empowerment but 1. Allowing the possibility of transitioning into part- to foster improved child welfare and development. time or remote work for new parents when their paid parental leave is exhausted, as well as offering this 5. The government can play an important role in option to other employees with care responsibilities, increasing uptake of employer-supported childcare. if the work can be adapted to accommodate lesser Government incentives can be in the form of fiscal responsibilities or can be filled in on a part-time incentives (e.g. corporate tax exemptions), grants basis by another employee (current or new). and subsidies to employers, and other measures . On the other hand, recommendations of private 2. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing a system sector experts and the syndicate of nurseries have to regularly monitor and evaluate results, refining focused on alleviating the childcare cost burden of solutions as needed private sector nurseries through tax exemptions and offering targeted assistance to incentivize private This report is the first comprehensive landscape sector firms to offer this support to employees. assessment summarizing the supply and demand In particular, the sector mentioned special tax of childcare services for the 0-3 age range in exemptions for the exception periods starting 2019 Lebanon; however, more research is needed. The when the private institutes were closed and non- study contributes with evidence to inform the multi- operational. A bill passed in 2018 accorded the stakeholder dialogue with the government and nursery sector its rights as an educational service. responsible agencies to support the provision of high- However, the nursery sector still does not enjoy the quality, affordable and accessible childcare services tax exemptions granted to educational institutions in Lebanon. It also addresses the importance of such as schools. promoting family-friendly policies in both the private and public sectors, as an investment for improved Based on the above, some more concrete private talent retention, increased productivity and employee sector solutions are mentioned below. loyalty. Agreeing on a clear roadmap to improve the availability, quality, and services options available • Employer-supported childcare: to families in a coherent and comprehensive manner should be a priority, while more research is also needed 1. 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The first activity under this component is a mapping of existing childcare services in Lebanon. Data collection consisted of a census-like brief (10–15-minute duration) computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) with 509 center-based providers, excluding the permanently closed (Figure A1.1). FIGURE A1.1. UNIVERSE OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN LEBANON (CATI), DISTRIBUTION ACROSS GOVERNORATES (%) 100 80 60 % 52% 40 20 12% 2% 3% 9% 9% 8% 6% 0 Akkar (11) Baalbek El- Beirut (47) Mount North (59) Nabatieh (47) South (38) Bekaa (30) Hermel (13) Lebanon (264) Note: numbers in parenthesis on the axis refer to number of providers; total is 509 identified providers for the mapping exercise (which excludes 27 nurseries that closed permanently). The second activity is a supply-side assessment which is based on a comprehensive survey applied to a sample of 285 childcare providers randomly drawn from the universe gathered through the mapping activity. It consisted of a computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) with an approximate duration of 70-90 minutes. The supply-side questionnaire (available in Annex 6) addresses the situation of providers in terms of operation, ages served and enrollment, accessibility, human resources, service fees and cost of service provision, daily activities and overall program, safety and health procedures and other structural quality characteristics (Table A1.1). Annex 1. Additional details on the overall methodology for the supply and demand components 79 TABLE A1.1. TOPICS COVERED IN THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG CHILDCARE PROVIDERS Modules Respondent’s information (sex, education, age) Background information Center information: type, licensing entity, ages served, capacity Hours/months of operation Distance and means of transportation from families Accessibility and Enrollment Enrollment processes/ requirements Management of waitlists Number and hours of shifts Ages per shift Fees of service, criteria for discounts Food and other additional services provided Shifts, Price and Costs Operational costs (by item including COVID-19 related) Cost to set up a center like this % cost covered by fees Funding sources (other than fees) Center’s main needs to be able to operate post COVID19 Staff composition Credentials Staffing Wages Hiring practices Program / curriculum development Daily routine Daily routine and activities Activities with children Children with disabilities Systems in place for parent’s engagement Family Involvement Center-parent communication during COVID closures Inspection visits received in last year Inspection agency Regulation and Standards (for registered Frequency of visits nurseries only) Staff training Awareness of government resources Caregivers’ evaluation practices Is nursery registered? Awareness of licensing requirements Awareness, perception, and application of Perception of licensing process licensing regulations Awareness, perception of COVID-19 health measures Implementation of COVID-19 health measures Yes/No questions of availability of resources, for example: Spaces Toys/stimulation materials Checklist of indoor and outdoor spaces (by Ventilation, temperature enumerator) Safety Cleanliness Furniture Outdoor spaces (if any) Social distancing COVID-19 protocols Use of facemasks Availability of hand sanitizer 80 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Assessment of the demand for and use of childcare. Data collection consisted of a detailed survey to households with presence of children younger than 6 years old and a total of 36 Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) were virtually conducted (over Zoom) with mothers and fathers of children in the 0-5 age group. (See details on the structure of FGDs in Annex 3). Individual (in-person) CAPI interviews were conducted with 600 parents of young children living in the household (486 women and 114 men). Surveyed households were located across eight Lebanese governorates, namely Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South, Nabatiyeh, North, Akaar, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel (see distribution of respondents in Annex 2). The Individual questionnaire (available in Annex 6) examines socio-demographic characteristics, employment characteristics, division of care and household responsibilities, demand for and attitudes/preferences around childcare (including willingness to pay for services), and impact of COVID-19 on childcare (Table A1.2). The minimum age of surveyed mothers was 19 years old, and the maximum age was 56 years old, although the majority are in the ages 22–45 (92 percent of surveyed women). Over 90 percent of mothers live with their partner/spouse. More than a third of female respondents had completed tertiary education (38 percent), and a quarter had completed secondary school (25.3 percent). Most surveyed households are nuclear (96 percent of surveyed households), and the remaining minority are extended. The average number of children 0-5 per households is 1.16. TABLE A1.2. TOPICS COVERED IN THE DEMAND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN IN THE 0-5 AGE GROUP Modules Sex, age, marital status, education Status in the labor force and other labor-related characteristics Parental benefits at work Respondent characteristics Individual and household income Share of income to childcare Willingness to pay for childcare Household composition (per age group) Household roster Care needs per household member Roster of non-household members who help providing care for household Non-household members members Time spent caring for children Type of childcare used (formal/informal), for each child 0-5 Childcare division of tasks Help received from relatives/friends (for children 0-5) Household division of childcare tasks Satisfaction with division of tasks Childcare coping mechanisms during lockdowns Changes in respondent’s load regarding household activities and childcare Effect of COVID-19 on childcare responsibilities Coping mechanisms with childcare in case COVID-19 measures continue Willingness (and requirements/expectations) to send child back to nursery once they open Willingness to use free/paid formal childcare services, and reasons (Potential) Demand for childcare Willingness to pay for childcare services Willingness to start work or work more hrs. if access to formal childcare Values and attitudes Values and attitudes around care and work (including as a result of COVID-19) Annex 1. Additional details on the overall methodology for the supply and demand components 81 ANNEX 2. SAMPLING METHODOLOGY FOR HOUSEHOLD (DEMAND) SURVEY Statistics Lebanon (SL), the firm in charge of field work, has developed an extensive database of clusters and households covering all the Lebanese territory. This database has been constructed based on a complete listing of all localities, small villages, medium villages, small towns, large towns, and cities, obtained from “door to door” visits covering each household in Lebanon. It is also based on detailed maps of the “urban” and “rural” areas comprising every city and large town, small town and/or neighborhood. There are 1,134,000 households in Lebanon119 and 819,000 are listed in Statistics Lebanon database. This database has been used to draw samples in survey research in the country, and it was also used to draw the households that were interviewed for the demand assessment. As a first step, a nationally representative sample of general households (with no special conditions regarding household composition) was constructed. This involved using the available layer of district (Mohafaza), which has counts of dwellings and clusters, as the first stage sample frame. A first stage of selection was based on a probability proportionate to estimated size (PPES) sample of the district, where the measure of size is the number of citizens by district. For the second stage, a systematic choosing sample was drawn based on cluster distribution. The number of selected clusters per district should be proportionate to the population size per district, and then 10 households were selected per cluster. Once the larger sample of general households was constructed, eligible households, with the presence of children in the 0-5 age group, were drawn and interviewed for the demand assessment. While the sample of general households is nationally representative, the sub-sample of surveyed households is not nationally representative of households with young children in Lebanon. The target respondent of the demand household survey corresponds to respondents with the following characteristics: 18 years old or older, Lebanese citizens, and parent of children in the 0-5 age group living in the household. In the sub-sample of interviewed households, mother respondents were prioritized over father respondents. Replacement was based on the following criteria (see table A2.1 below): • If eligible respondent is not present, or the respondent is away from home, take note and come back again to interview. • In case of an empty home, a demolished home, business location, etc., take note and skip to the household that comes just after. If at the next household, for any of the above reasons, enumerator is not able to fill a questionnaire, move on to the next household until a successful interview is conducted. • Three attempts were made of each household. If they all fail, move to the next household coming after. 119 Based on the May 2021 update executed by Statistics Lebanon. 82 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE A2.1. REPLACEMENTS PER REGION (%) Success Fail Rate Total Interviewed HHs that were Governorate Rate in (%) (%) attempts HHs passed over Bekaa 63% 37% 63 40 23 Baalback-Hermel 66% 34% 61 40 21 Akkar 68% 32% 59 40 19 North Lebanon 71% 29% 113 80 33 South Lebanon 69% 31% 87 60 27 El Nabatieh 67% 33% 60 40 20 Mount Lebanon 55% 45% 436 240 196 Beirut 52% 48% 115 60 55 Average 63.88% 36.13% 994 600 394 FIGURE A2.1. DISTRIBUTION (%) OF SURVEYED PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN ACROSS REGIONS 60 50 53% 50% 40 30 % 20 20% 17% 17% 17% 10 15% 13% 0 North Lebanon Beirut and Mt. Lebanon South Lebanon and El Bekaa Nabatiyeh Female respondents (486) All respondents (600) Annex 2. Sampling Methodology for Household (Demand) Survey 83 ANNEX 3. STRUCTURE OF DEMAND-SIDE FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS A total of 36 Full Focus Groups discussions (FDGs) were conducted by a team of SL qualitative research experts based on a discussion guides developed for each target profile. To maintain correspondence with the household survey, the participants were largely drawn from the same areas with a few minor differences due to the inclusion of groups from the capital Beirut, and expansion of certain area perimeters in the North due to problems of connectivity and access. The target profile included working mothers, non-employed mothers and fathers from all areas and diverse communities to ensure a broad overview. Target Profile of FGDs • Age: above 18 to 45 years of age • Daycare enrollment of children: Non-users of childcare; Users of childcare: Public and private / • Gender: Women and men formal and informal » Working women who were also mothers of children 6 months to 6 year olds • Geographical location: (i) Beirut and Mount Lebanon; » Non-working women who were mothers of children (ii) North Lebanon; (iii) Bekaa; (iv) South Lebanon 6 months to 6 year olds and Nabatiyeh » Fathers of children aged 6 months to 6 years old • Communities • Children: Families with children aged 6 months to 6 » Affluent urban neighborhood, years » Poor urban neighborhood. » Rural setting The FGDs were organized as follows: 84 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY ANNEX 4. FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES IN LEBANON Family friendly policies are comprised of: (i) Paid parental leave to care for young children; (ii) support for breastfeeding; (iii) affordable, accessible, and quality childcare; (iv) child benefits (no uniform legal basis for such benefits); and (v) flexible working arrangements. To date, with the exception of maternity leave, the rights under (i), (ii) and (iii) have no legal basis under the current Lebanese legal framework. Maternity Leave: mandatory maternity leave was extended to 10 weeks in 2014 (laws Nos. 266 and 267 of 2014, which are still below the International Labor Organization recommendation of 14 weeks. ––ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183)120 mandates a minimum leave period of 14 weeks for women around childbirth, and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 191) promotes the optimal maternity leave to be at least 18 weeks. As mentioned above, a draft law was submitted by 7 members of Parliament in 2021, proposing to increase maternity leave to 15 weeks. Moreover, in 2017, and Lebanon’s Social Security Law (promulgated by Decree No. 13955 dated 9/1963) was amended to allow retirees to benefit from the provisions of sickness and maternity in the National Social Security Fund. The Social Security Law requires membership of the fund for a period of more than ten months as a condition for entitlement to maternity leave and maternity medical care benefits, and temporary and domestic service workers are excluded from the benefits. Moreover, the Labor Law forbids dismissal of a working woman on grounds of pregnancy or during maternity leave. Educational Allowances121: The Social Security Law provides for educational allowances for private, public and disability schools (article 46 of the Social Security Law, further to Decree #2521 dated 11/2/2016). Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding rights are not guaranteed under any law. A draft law was submitted by seven members of Parliament in 2021 granting women one hour per working day for breastfeeding, for a period of one year after their return from maternity leave. Law No. 47, issued on 11/12/2008, supports and promotes exclusive breastfeeding for a period of six months and promotes the importance of certain newborn feeding products, methods and tools. The Labor Code gives working women the right to rest for no less than an hour after five hours of work, as opposed to six hours for men (article 34 of the Labor Code). Paternity Leave: A draft law providing for three consecutive days of paternity leave with full pay and to be taken within a maximum period of two months from the date of the baby’s delivery, was approved by the Council of Ministers Cabinet and referred to Parliament for ratification in 2017. Another draft law proposes one day and a recent draft law proposes 10 consecutive or non-consecutive days. To date, men still do not benefit from paternity leave. Parental leave: Parental leave is not guaranteed under any law. However, a recent draft law submitted by 7 members of Parliament, proposes a 7-day parental care leave for the care of their sick children until the age of 7 years old. 120 Article 4.4 of the Convention reads: “Maternity leave shall include a period of six weeks’ compulsory leave after childbirth, unless otherwise agreed at the national level by the government and the representative organizations of employers and workers.” 121 See https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2018-2019/asia/lebanon.html#:~:text=The%20fund%20normally%20reimburs- es%20insured,52%20weeks%20in%20special%20cases. Annex 4. Family-friendly Policies in Lebanon 85 ANNEX 5. MAPPING OF CENTER-BASED CHILDCARE SERVICES Methodology for estimating population of children 0-3 years in year 2021 The estimates are based on the population figures reported by the 2018 Central Administration of Statistics (CAS).122 One of the datasets contains the 2018 distribution of residents by governorate and according to age categories beginning with 0 to 4-year-olds (Sheet HL7) and another contains the 2018 distribution of residents aged 3 and above by governorate (Sheet ED3). By computing the difference between the two aforementioned data (See footnote, data in Sheet HL7 in the first URL – Sheet ED3 in the second URL), the 2018 population of residents 0 to 3-year-olds by governorate in 2018 was isolated. Forecasting in SPSS was used to estimate Lebanon’s projected population for 2021, and using this projected population, the 2021 population of 0 to 3-year- olds by governorate was calculated using the following formula: Projected 0 to 3-year-old population 2021 = [(Projected population of Lebanon 2021 * 2018 Population 0-3 by governorate) / Population of Lebanon 2018] Finally using the CAS data of the distribution of Lebanese population by caza in 2018, the projected 0-3-year-old population in 2021 was calculated for each caza using the following formula: Projected 0 to 3-year-old population in 2021 for each caza = (% residents by each Caza of Governorate “A” * Projected 0-3 population in governorate “A” 2021) TABLE A5.1. CHILDREN 0-3 ESTIMATED POPULATION AND CHILDCARE PROVIDER CAPACITY (CATI MAPPING), BY CAZA Estimated 2021 Number of Total Average Childcare Seats FLFP population of childcare capacity provider per 100 estimated Governorate Caza 2018 (%) children aged 0-3 facilities in caza capacity children (A) (B) (C)   (D) [(D*C)/(B)]*100 Akkar Akkar 15.00% 19,248 11 348 32 2 Baalbek El- Baalbek 21.90% 10,877 13 616 47 6 Hermel El Hermel 18.20% 1,746 0 0 0 0 Beirut Beirut 36.80% 13,147 47 3879 83 30 122 http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/Publications/LFHLCS2018-2019/LFHLCS_2018_2019_Demography.xls (Sheet HL7) http://www.cas.gov.lb/images/Publications/LFHLCS2018-2019/LFHLCS_2018_2019_Education.xlsx (Sheet ED3) 86 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Estimated 2021 Number of Total Average Childcare Seats FLFP population of childcare capacity provider per 100 estimated Governorate Caza 2018 (%) children aged 0-3 facilities in caza capacity children (A) (B) (C)   (D) [(D*C)/(B)]*100 Kesrwane 39.20% 8,828 51 3258 64 37 Jbeil 42.20% 4,420 13 923 71 21 Mount El Metn 41.60% 23,426 81 5113 63 22 Lebanon Aley 27.60% 8,989 30 1546 52 17 Baabda 32.30% 28,490 71 3973 56 14 Chouf 26.90% 8,420 18 733 41 9 Zgharta 26.80% 2,982 15 843 56 28 El Koura 32.40% 2,608 8 404 51 15 Tripoli 24.90% 14,355 26 1705 66 12 North Batroun 33.70% 2,493 5 221 44 9 El Minieh- 22.20% 6,417 5 190 38 3 Dennie Bsharri 21.70% 1,148 0 0 0 0 Nabatieh 20.70% 7,687 35 1478 42 19 Bint Jbeil 17.70% 4,069 9 438 49 11 Nabatieh Hasbaya 19.60% 1,917 2 70 35 4 Marjaayoun 24.70% 3,249 1 33 33 1 Saida 30.00% 13,467 29 1324 46 10 South Sour 19.60% 10,793 9 370 41 3 Jezzine 28.40% 1,088 0 0 0 0 Zahle 21.30% 9,249 22 1368 62 15 Bekaa Rachaya 18.90% 1,721 6 195 33 11 West Bekaa 26.90% 3,436 2 77 39 2 Lebanon   29.30% 214,270 509 29105 57 14 Note: number of childcare providers and data on maximum capacity are based on the census-type CATI survey. Annex 5. Mapping of center-based childcare services 87 ANNEX 6. QUESTIONNAIRES CHILDCARE PROVIDERS QUESTIONNAIRE The childcare providers questionnaire was adapted from previous mixed methods studies on childcare supply conducted by the World Bank in Turkey, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus (see World Bank 2019; World Bank 2015). Interviewer name: INTRODUCTION Hello, my name is [name] and I am coming from firm . We contacted you on [date] to set up this appointment. I am coming here for an academic study conducted by the World Bank that investigates how households cope with child care responsibilities in this area. As part of this, we are working to identify and assess all care service providers that households might use. Is now still a good time for you to talk about [name of service provider]? The interview should last around 90 minutes, and all of the information you share will remain anonymous and confidential, and will only be used for the above-mentioned research purposes. No individual institution information will be shared with third parties and/or disclosed. Names and identifying information will only be collected for reference purposes, but are not to be used in any publication or presentations. Findings from the interviews will be used in reports 1. I hereby give consent to be subject of your research 1. Yes 2. No 2. Date of 1st interview _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ 3. Completed interview? Use 4. If revisit rescheduled _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ attempt: DD/MM/YYYY code from List A (3 in List A), when? DD/ ......................... MM/YYYY 5. Date of 2nd interview _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ 6. Completed interview? Use 7. If revisit rescheduled _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ attempt: DD/MM/YYYY code from List A (3 in List A), when? DD/MM/ ......................... YYYY List A Completed=1 Revisit scheduled=2 Refused to participate=3 88 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Section A. Respondent Information 1 What is your name? 2 What is your role here? 1. Management (for example, principal,) (Check all that apply) 2. Owner 3. Administrator (For example accountant, HR manager) specify: 99. Refuses to answer 3 Year of birth ……………… 99. Refuses to answer 4 What is your highest level of educational 1. Less than primary school completed attainment? 2. Primary school / Elementary school (5 years) 3. Intermediate 4. Secondary/ Baccalaureate II 5. Vocational BT, specify: 6. Vocational TS, specify: 7. Vocational LT, specify: 8. University Degree, Specify: 9. Graduate Degree, Specify: Higher Education 99. Refuses to answer 5 Gender 1. Male (Please note the respondent’s gender.) 2. Female PART I: INTERVIEW WITH NURSERY PROVIDER REPRESENTATIVE Section A: Service Provider Background 1 What is the name of the service provider? Name of the Institution: (This refers to the name of the child care Detailed Address: center, institution, etc., NOT the name of the Governorate: individual. Use this name throughout the Caza: questionnaire when it says [service provider].) City/Town/village (As applicable): (Check that the address information on file is correct.) Neighborhood: FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN THIS Street (if available)/landmark: QUESTIONNAIRE REFER TO THIS BRANCH Number: ONLY, NOT THE WHOLE INSTITUTION) GPS Location 2 Is [service provider] public, private, non- 1. Public, specify ministry profit, religious, a cooperative or association, 2. Private (affiliated with a private school, company/business or individual or a different type of institution? owner), specify, 3. Non-profit (non-religious), specify 4. Religious (church/mosque/ religious institute, specify: 5. Cooperative/association/organization, specify 6. Other, specify: _________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 3 Is [service provider] 1. Licensed by Ministry of Health (MOPH) 2. Licensed by Ministry of Education (MEHE) 3. Subject to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) 4. Licensed by the MEHE and MOPH 5. Other, specify Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 89 4 When did [service provider] open? Specify: ……………… (Write the full year) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 5 How many age levels are there in [service Specify: …… provider]? 98. Does not know (For each age group, fill in one row in the 99. Refuses to answer following multi-part question) 6 a) What b) How many groups c) What is the maximum d) How many e) How many teachers/ ages are in of children are there number of children you children are caregivers are assigned this level? for this age level at can accommodate in each currently enrolled in to care for this age present? group for this age level at this age level (total group at present? present? of all classes)? Group 0+ – 12 a. Teachers/caregiver, Age 1 . No:…… b. Teacher Assistant, No:…….. Group 12+ – 24    a. Teachers/caregiver, Age 2 No:…… b. Teacher Assistant, No:…….. Group 24+ – 36 a. Teachers/caregiver, Age 3 No:…… b. Teacher Assistant, No:…….. Group 36+ – 48 a. Teachers/caregiver, Age 4 No:…… b. Teacher Assistant, No:…….. Group 48+ – 60 a. Teachers/caregiver, Age 5 No:…… b. Teacher Assistant, No:…….. Group 60+ –72 a. Teachers/caregiver, Age 6 No:…… b. Teacher Assistant, No:…….. Other specify a. Teachers/caregiver, specify: minimum No:…… and b. Teacher Assistant, maximum No:…….. age 7 Do you have space to expand to 1. Yes accommodate more children in the current 2. No– go to Q 9 (suggestion to add skip) space? 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 8 What is [service provider]’s total capacity (of Specify ……………. children who can receive care)? 98. Does not know (This should be the sum of answers to part c 99. Refuses to answer of the question above) 90 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 9 What percentage At present Before September 2019 (Economic crisis & of mothers (whose 1. 0% Covid-19) children receive care 1. 0% 2. More than 0, but less than 20% here) are employed 3. 21-40% 2. More than 0, but less than 20% (“working mothers”)? 4. 41-60% 3. 21-40% 5. 61-80% 4. 41-60% 6. 81-100% 5. 61-80% 98. Does not know 6. 81-100% 99. Refuses to answer 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 10 Which best characterizes the average 1. High income level of the facility’s immediate area? 2. Medium Question geared towards the particular area 3. Low the facility is located in as opposed to the 98. Does not know – parents it services 11 Approximately what percentage of A) Come from low income households: students in your facility has the following 1. 0-10% background? 2. 11-25% 3. 26-50% 4. >50% 97. Does not apply 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 12 Overall impressions Interviewer should note if there were any issues during this part of interview Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 91 SECTION B: Accessibility and Enrolment 1 What are the days and hours of operation? From Until (Check the days that it is open and mark the 1. Open Mon. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ hour using a 24-hour clock) 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 2. Open Tues. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 3. Open Wed. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 4. Open Thurs. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 5. Open Fri. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 6. Open Sat. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 7.Open Sun. _ _: _ _ _ _: _ _ 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 2 What months is [service provider] closed? # Number of days closed (Check months that apply and specify days) 1. January (closure during normal times year prior to 2. February Covid-19 and social protests during 2019) 3. March 4. April 5. May 6. June 7. July 8. August 9. September 10. October 11. November 12. December 13. Do not close 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 3 What are the means used by students to 1. Walking/ By foot Please sort by order of arrive to the nursery? (more than one answer 2. Private Car (caregiver, carpool, taxi) importance (show card for possible) respondent) 3. School Bus 4. Moped/ motorcycle 5. Other Specify: ______________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 92 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 4 How long does it take most of the children to 1. Less than 15 minutes get to the center? 2. 15-30 minutes 3. 30-45 minutes 4. 45 minutes – 1 hour 5. More than 1 hour 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 5 How does [service provider] get new clients? 1. Publicity (Check all that apply) 2. Word of mouth 3. Social Media 4. School Recommendation 5. Other, specify: _________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 6 a) What in your opinion are the reasons Rank parents enroll children in your center (More 1. Price than one answer possible) 2. Proximity b) Then rank by order of importance 3. Safety & security measures at center perceived reasons for enrolling children in your center 4. Cleanliness & hygiene 5. Quality of care 6. Qualifications of caregivers & professionals 7. Number of staff 8. Only available option 9.Working hours 10. Language of educational program/curriculum 11. Other, specify: 7 How often is [service provider] at capacity At present Before September 2019 (meaning has the maximum number of 1. Always at capacity 1. Always at capacity children)? 2. Usually at capacity 2. Usually at capacity 3. Sometimes at capacity 3. Sometimes at capacity 4. Rarely at capacity 4. Rarely at capacity 5. Never at capacity 5. Never at capacity 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 8 When does enrollment of new children 1. Throughout the year, on a rolling basis happen? 2. At the beginning of the school year Other, specify: _________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 9 Is the [service provider] currently accepting 1. Yes new children? 2. No 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 10 If there is a waitlist, how many children are 1. Yes, Specify: _ _ _ currently on it? 2. There is no waitlist (Skip Q13 and Q14) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 11 Are there screening procedures and/or 1. Yes - Continue to Q12 requirements for accepting new children? 2. No - Skip to Q13 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 93 12 What are the screening procedures and/or 1. Income requirement, specify: _________________________ requirements for accepting new children? if the income is above_________________________ (or) (Check if applies- relevant to public /MOSA) if the income is below_________________________ 2. Address requirement, select which: (specific to MOSA centers) (a) To live in a specific part of a municipality (b) To live in a specific municipality (c) To live in specific neighborhoods in the surrounding area (not necessarily a municipality) (d) No municipality or neighborhood specified, but have to live in that town/city (e) Other, specify: 3. Reference 4. Marital status of parents 5. Working status of both parents 6. Entrance/aptitude exams/interview (only for centers that cover ages 4-6 years) 7. Other, specify: _________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 13 How does [service provider] select which of 1. First come, first served the children will join first? 2. Based on income (Mark all that apply. Do not read answers.) 3. Based on the territory where they live 4. Children whose parents are both employed have priority 5. Orphan 6. Children from single parent (divorced-widowed…) groups have priority 7. Interview with parents 8. Interview with the child 9. Other, specify: _________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 14 Is there a way for families to get their children 1. Yes, specify: _________________________ moved up the waitlist? (Skip if answer in Q10 2. No ‘No waitlist) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 15 From 10 prospective children whose At present Before September 2019 families have requested enrollment here, Specify: …../10 Specify: …../10 approximately how many are admitted? 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 16 Are there a minimum number of hours or days 1. Yes, specify: children are required to be enrolled? _ _ _ hours/days/weeks/months/semesters (circle one per day/week/ month/year (circle one) 2. No 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 17 What is the minimum age that [service Specify: _ _ days/weeks/months/years (insert one) provider] accepts? 97. There is no minimum age 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 94 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 18 What is the maximum age that [service Specify: _ _ months/years (insert one) provider] accepts? 97. There is no maximum age 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 19 Why children aged older than 4 years are 1. There are no pre-schools for this age group in this area attending your nursery? 2. Pre-schools in this area are not good 3. Pre-school in this area are too expensive 4. Child care centers’ hours are more convenient for working parents 5. Parents prefer to keep young children in the center they are used to 6. Child care centers’ opening days during COVID-19 are more convenient for parents 7. For health reasons about COVID-19 8. Parents don’t believe in online teaching for this age category (COVID-19) 9. Parents are not willing to pay school fees for online learning (COVID-19) 10. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 20 Do any children who are currently receiving 1. Yes - Continue to Q24 care here come from somewhere farther than 2. No - Skip to Q26 those surrounding areas? 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 21 About how many children who are currently Specify: _ _ _children receiving care here come from somewhere s besides this caza? 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 22 Which kadaa and towns/cities do these List names of towns/cities and kadaa children come from? 23 Overall Impressions Interviewer should note if there were any issues during this part of interview Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 95 SECTION C: Shifts, Pricing and Costing 1 What are the number and times of the shifts Number of shifts……………. at the center……? For each shift specify time (specify time for each shift) Shift one, specify time: From……. To…… Shift two. Specify time: From………To…… Shift three: Specify time: From……. To…… (as many shifts as applicable) 2 Does the center receive all age groups 1. Yes (skip to Q4) enrolled in all the shifts? 2. No (Ask Q3 to specify which age groups) 3 Which age group is enrolled in each shift? 1. Age group 1 (Repeat for each shift) 2. Age group 2. (Check all that apply.) 3. Age group 3 4. Age group 4 (Repeat for all shifts as applicable) 4 For each shift, what is the price 1. Weekly payment: ___________ LL (repeat for every shift) 2. Monthly payment: ___________ LL 3. Semester payment: ___________ LL 4. Yearly payment: ___________ LL 5. Other, specify: ___________ LL 5 Do you charge an entry deposit? 1. Yes: ___________ LL 2. No - Skip to Q 7 6 Is the entry deposit later refunded? 1. Yes 2. No 7 Are there price reductions for certain 1. Yes - Continue to Q8 services, individuals, or families? 2. No - Skip to Q9 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 8 What are the criteria for price reductions? 1. Number of children from that family that goes to our childcare (Check all that apply.) 2. Monthly income of the family 3. Employment status of parents 4. Age of child 5. Health condition of child (special needs, chronic disease, etc.) 6. Either parent sick or disabled 7. Financial status of parents 8. Orphaned 9. Single parent (divorced- widowed) 10. Other, specify: ______________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 9 Are children served food? 1. Yes, and it’s included in price 2. Yes, but parents pay extra for the food 3. No, but used to be included in price pre-covid 19 4. No, but parents used to pay extra for food pre-covid 19 5. Children bring their own food – Skip to Q14 6. No – Skip to Q14 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 96 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 10 When are children in the following shifts served food? (Cover all shifts as above) Shift one 1. Breakfast If not included in price, please specify 2. Morning snack the extra cost 3. Lunch 4. Afternoon snack 5. Dinner 6. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 11 Shift two 1. Breakfast If not included in price, please specify 2. Morning snack the extra cost 3. Lunch 4. Afternoon snack 5. Dinner 6. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 12 Shift three 1. Breakfast If not included in price, please specify 2. Morning snack the extra cost 3. Lunch 4. Afternoon snack 5. Dinner 6. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 13 Shift four 1. Breakfast If not included in price, please specify 2. Morning snack the extra cost 3. Lunch 4. Afternoon snack 5. Dinner 6. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 14 Do you have transportation to and from the 1. Yes, and it’s included in price - If not included in price, please specify childcare center? Skip to Q15 the average extra cost 2. Yes, but parents pay extra for In your In the surrounding area the transportation area 3. No - Skip to Q15 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 97 15 What is included in the price? 1. Professional care (by If not included in price, please specify (Check all that apply) professional teachers and nurses) the extra cost for each 2. Materials, such as toys and pencils 3. Educational activities (for example, language classes) 4. Sports 5. Medical check-up Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 98. Does not know 6. 99. Refuses to answer 16 Is there any flexibility for families that have 1. Yes, specify: (Check all that apply) trouble paying for the care services? (a) we prolong the deadline for payment (b) we give them a discount (c) we allow payment by installment (monthly/quarterly-circle relevant) (d) other, specify: ___________ 2. No 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 17 What percentage of families have trouble At present Before September 2019 paying for the services? 1. 0% 1. 0% 2. More than 0, but less than 20% 2. More than 0, but less than 20% 3. 21-40% 3. 21-40% 4. 41-60% 4. 41-60% 5. 61-80% 5. 61-80% 6. 81-100% 6. 81-100% 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 18 What do you think were the approximate set Furniture and teaching materials are up costs? locally produced or imported (Assume the building is rented) 1. Renovation costs ________ $ (Check all that apply) 2. Furniture ________ $ 1. Locally produced 2. Imported 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 3. Teaching materials ________ $ 1. Locally produced 2. Imported 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 4. Licensing __________ in LL 5. Vehicles __________ $ 97. N/A 6. Security 97. N/A (Guard rails, fire extinguishers etc.) 7. Other, specify __________ $ 98 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 19 To set up a facility like this today, how much Specify: __________$ (approximate amount) would you need to pay; e.g. for building costs, providing the materials, furniture, etc.? (Assume the building is rented) 20 How many square meters in the total indoor Specify: _____ m2 area of the center? 21 How many square meters in the total outdoor Specify: _____ m2 area of the center? (if available) 22 Is the school building owned by you or you 1. Owner of the building - Skip to Q24 rent the place? 2. Tenant - Continue to Q23 3. State-owned school -Skip to Q25 4. Other (belongs to municipality, charitable organization etc.) - Continue to Q24 23 How much does [service provider] pay for the Specify: __________LL rent (imputed rent if property is owned) on a monthly basis? 24 If you would rent the school building out, how Specify: __________LL (imputed rent) much would you ask for it (monthly)? (What would be the amount of imputed rent?) 25 What are the monthly operational costs of 1. Salaries of managerial staff this facility? __________LL (Check all that apply) 2. Salaries of teachers/caregivers __________LL 3. Salaries of janitorial staff __________LL 4. Salaries of nursing/medical __________LL 5. Salaries of cooking staff/catering __________LL 6. Cost of food/snacks items __________LL 7. Maintenance __________LL 8. Utilities (Electricity, generator, water and gas) __________LL 9. Telecommunication (Includes telephone and interne…) __________LL 10. Insurance __________LL 11. Stationery __________LL 12. Cleaning, products and sanitizers __________LL 13. Protection supplies from COVID-19 (facemasks, gowns, gloves, thermometers, etc.) __________LL 14. Publishing and printing __________LL 15. Health __________LL 16. Education and training __________LL 17. Transport costs __________LL 18. Other 1, specify __________LL 19. Other 2, specify __________LL 26 Do student fees cover all operational costs or At present Before September 2019 a certain percentage of operational costs? 1. it covers b/w 0 – 20% of 1. 0-20% operational costs 2. 20-40% 2. it covers b/w 20 – 40% of 3. 40-60% operational costs 4. 60-80% 3. it covers b/w 40 – 60% of 5. 80-100% operational costs 6. >100% (profitable) 4. it covers b/w 60 – 80% of operational costs 5. it covers b/w 80 – 100% of operational costs 6. it covers more than operational costs Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 99 27 What were the sources of the funding used to 1. Public, specify: initially open [service provider]? 2. Private, specify: (Check all that apply) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 28 What are the current operational sources of 1. Public, specify: funding for [service provider] outside parental 2. Private, specify: fees? 97. Does not apply (covered by parental fees) (Check all that apply) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 29 What type of assistance will the nursery need 1. Financial assistance to cover losses resulting from closing to be able to operate during the COVID19 2. Financial assistance to cover operating costs, additional staff, purchase pandemic? supplies. (Select all that apply) 3. Protection supplies for staff (facemasks, gowns, gloves, thermometers, etc.) 4. Training on COVID protocols 5. Modifications of the space such as screens, room dividers, etc. 6. Other, specify: 7. None 98. Don’t know 99. Refuses to answer 30 Overall Impressions Interviewer should note if there were any issues during this part of interview SECTION D: Staffing Before September 2019 Specify How many are women? Specify 1 What is total number of staff employed at the center (full, part-time but not _______ _______ contractual/consultants ex center lawyer/ external accountant/ doctor on call)? 2 For each category of the following how Management/administration (receptionist, _______ _______ many HR, accountant but excluding Director) _______ _______ Main teacher(s) _______ _______ Assistant teachers/caregivers _______ _______ Janitorial/ cooking/gardening/security/ _______ _______ driving staff Nurse(s)/ assistant nurse Say: We would like to know about the qualifications & salaries of people who work in this institution /childcare center at present. All managerial staff, teachers and childcare providers must be in the list. So, can you first tell me the names of everyone who works here? 100 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY # Name 1. Job title/ 2. SSex 3. (AGE) 4. Highest 5. For any 6. TTotal 7. Type of 8. For 9. Years of 10. 11. Net Monthly profession degree staff with years of contract all with working Working Salary earned attained vocational experience permanent for center / hours per from this work school or with contract: institution week university children (if Do you (if 1,2,3,5) 1,2,3,5) provide NSSF/ insurance 1 1. Director 1. Male __ 1. Less than 1. Sociology 1. 0-3 years 1. No 1. Yes Specify: Specify: 1. No earnings (Managerial 2. primary 2. 2. 3-5 contract NSSF/ __ __ __ __ hr. per 1. ≤ (675000LL) staff) Female school Psychology/ years 2. Medical week completed insurance 2. 676,000 LL to 2. Main/ Counselling 3. 5-10 Permanent 1,500,000 LL teacher/ 2. Primary 3. Early years contract 2. No caregiver school 3. 1,501,000 to Childhood 4. 10-15 3. 2,500,000 LL 3. Assistant/ 3. Education years Temporary supportive Intermediate -ECE contract 4. 2,501,000 to caregiver/ 5. >15 years 4,000,000 LL 4. Secondary / 4. Education 4. Voluntary, teacher BAC II 6. Other, or internship 5. 4,001,000 to 5. Business specify…… 6,000,000 LL 4. 5. BT Admin contract Administrative 5. Other, 6. 6,001,000 to staff, Specify 6. TS 6. Law 10,500,000 LL 99. Refuses specify…… job: 7. LT 7. Medical to answer 2. > 10,500,000 5. Nursing/ 8. University DR LL medical staff (Bachelors) 8. Nursing 98. Does not know 6. 11.Other, 9. Graduate 9. Other, 99. Refuses to specify (Masters/ specify: 99. Refuses to answer answer PHD) 99. Refuses 99. Refuses to to answer answer 2 Repeat for all 3 SECTION E: Daily Routine and Activities 1 Is there a developmental and/or educational 1. Yes - Continue to Q2 program/curriculum? 2. No - Skip to Q4 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 2 What language is used in the educational 1. Dual language program Ara-Eng program/curriculum? 2. Dual language program Ara-Fre 3. Dual language program Eng-Fre 4. Triple language program Ara-Eng-Fre 5. Ara only language program 6. Eng only language program 7. Fre only language program 8. Other language program 3 How was/is the program or curriculum 1. It ensures the physical development of children developed? (Check all that apply 2. It ensures the intellectual development of children 3. It ensures the psychological development of children 4. It ensures the social development of children 5. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 101 4 Is the option available for a child to remain 1. Yes with the same staff and group for more than 2. No 1 year? 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 5 How is discipline administered to children in 1. Verbally (warning, scolding this center? 2. Staff ignores them (Check all that apply) 3. They are not allowed to play for a while 4. Partially isolated from other children (for example sitting alone at the table) 5. Other, specify: ________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 6 Does the center have capacity to accept 1. Yes - Continue to Q6 children with disability? 2. No - Skip to next section (Special needs might include: any type of physical or mental disability.) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 7 How many are currently enrolled? Specify: 8 What are the provisions for special needs 1. Smaller groups of children (check all that apply) 2. Additional staff for special needs children 3. Frequent supervision 4. Staff with special training to work with children with disabilities 5. Other, specified: __________________________ 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 9 Does this entail additional cost to the 1. Yes: Specify amount: :…:LL center? 2. No (All types) 10 Would that increase the fees for the 1. Yes: Specify amount: :…:LL parents? 2. No 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 11 Overall Impressions Interviewer should note if there were any issues during this part of interview 12 Which of the following happen each day? 1. Leisure, free play (Check all that apply.) 2. Education and developmental enrichment 3. Rest 4. Other, specify: 13 How frequently do you apply these activities 1. Socializing with other children Frequently On a limited never for those under 3 years old: Religious/spiritual activities basis (In normal days not during COVID-19) 2. Reading books 3. Active physical play and/or exercise 4. Arts and crafts 5. Music/dancing 6. Fine motor activities (for example: pegs and pegboards, building toys, sewing cards, play with blocks) 102 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY SECTION F: Family involvement 1 Are there any At present: In September 2019: systems in place 1. Yes, specify: 1. Yes, specify: to give feedback to (a) regular group meetings with parents (a) regular group meetings with parents parents about their (c) there is set day in week/month when parent (c) there is set day in week/month when parent children/receive can come and meet caregiver in person can come and meet caregiver in person parental feedback/ (d) Meetings on a need basis ( for parents to (d) Meetings on a need basis ( (f) online/phone questions to staff present and discuss (f) online/phone questions to staff (g) parents can informally speak with additional needs? caregivers when they pick up or drop off (g) parents can informally speak with (Check all that apply.) caregivers when they pick up or drop off children children (h) other, specify:_______ (h) other, specify:_______ 2. No 2. No 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 2 Are there any other At present: In September 2019: opportunities for 1. Yes, specify: 1. Yes, specify: parental interaction? (a) special days when parent can be present in (a) special days when parent can be present in )check all that apply( the group that child attend the group that child attend (b) Parents can be present in some off- (b) Parents can be present in some off- premises activities (field trips, etc.) premises activities (field trips, etc.) (c) Parents can help in some extra activities (c) Parents can help in some extra activities such as plays such as plays (d) other, specify: (d) other, specify: 2. No 2. No 98. Does not know 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 99. Refuses to answer 3 Who of the parents is 1. Mother usually engaged? 2. Father )check all that apply( 3. Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 4 During COVID 1. Send suggested routines and activities for parents to do with children closures how centers 2. Online meetings with families. communicate with 3. Updates on Government measures regarding childcares families? 4. Information about psychological needs for children during lockdown (Check all that apply) 5. Suggested workshops or webinars about positive parenting during lockdown 6. Other, specify: 7. None 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 5 Is there anything else we need to know? 6 Overall Impressions Interviewer should note if there were any issues during this part of interview Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 103 SECTION G: Regulations and Standards (For registered nurseries) Before finalizing our questions, we are going to ask some questions about the regulations and standards that you need to fulfil as a childcare service provider. The Ministries of MOPH (Pulblic health), and MOSA (Social Affairs) are currently interested in the findings of this study as they reformulate the standards. Please provide your open and honest opinion on the standards, with the knowledge that this information will be kept confidential. This information will not be used to evaluate or inspect the center. 1 Has the center received any inspection/ 1. Yes Continue to Q2 monitoring/examination visits from any party 2. No - Skip to Q6 during the last year? 99. Refuses to answer 2 From which party(ies) 1. MOPH (multiple answers possible) 2. MEHE 3. MOSA 4. Other, specify:______ 3 What is the frequency of such visits? 1. Yearly 2. Monthly 4 When did the last such inspection/monitoring/ Specify month/year: ______ visit occur 5 What was the outcome reported for the last visit Specify: ______ 6 Have the caregivers undergone any training 1. Yes Continue to Q7 2. No - Skip to Q9 99. Refuses to answer 7 What party was responsible for the training Specify: ______ 8 Who conducted the training Specify: ______ 9 Are you aware of the ‘Toolkit-National Guidelines 1. Yes - Continue to Q10 for Early Childhood Care- 2. No - Skip to Q11 99. Refuses to answer 10 Do you implement the recommendations of the 1. Partially Toolkit 2. Completely 3. Not at all 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 11 Is the owner of the center the manager 1. Yes 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 12 Are caregivers evaluated during their work? 1. Yes 2. No - Skip to Q14 99. Refuses to answer 104 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 13 On what basis are caregivers evaluated 1. Based on training evaluation (Check all that apply) 2. Written test 3. Parents feedback 4. Children-based evaluation 5. Other specify: 6. There is no specific evaluation criteria 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 14 Is there a training for new caregivers (fresh 1. Yes, graduated/inexperienced)? 2. No - Skip to Skip to next section 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 15 Which of the following best describes training of 1. Through on-job training of assisting main caregivers new caregivers? 2. Attendance of training seminars 3. Written test based on our nurseries’ toolkit 4. Other specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer Section H (For all nurseries) For nurseries 1 Is the nursery registered? (Do not ask) 1. Yes (go to Q3) 2. No 2 Have you heard of registration requirements for 1. Yes (continue) nurseries by MOPH 2. No (go to Q10) 99. Refuses to answer (go to Q10) 3 To what extent do you agree with the following On a scale of 5 (5 means totally agree and 1 means totally disagree) statement: 5 Totally agree The licensing regulation is accessible 4 Agree 3 Neither agree nor disagree 2 Disagree 1 Totally disagree 4 To what extent do you agree with the following On a scale of 5 (5 means totally agree and 1 means totally disagree) statement: 5 Totally agree The licensing regulation is clear 4 Agree 3 Neither agree nor disagree 2 Disagree 1 Totally disagree 5 To what extent do you agree with the following On a scale of 5 (5 means totally agree and 1 means totally disagree) statement: 5 Totally agree Operational standards are clear 4 Agree 3 Neither agree nor disagree 2 Disagree 1 Totally disagree Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 105 6 To what extent do you agree with the following On a scale of 5 (5 means totally agree and 1 means totally disagree) statement: 5 Totally agree Licensing process is time consuming 4 Agree 3 Neither agree nor disagree 2 Disagree 1 Totally disagree 7 How difficult is to comply with physical a. On a scale of 5 (5 means not b. Why? Check all that apply. requirements? difficult at all and 1 means very 1. Time consuming difficult) 2. Expensive/involves high costs 5 Not difficult at all 3. Reduces services accessibilities 4. Other, specify: 4 Somewhat difficult 3 neutral 2 Difficult (Ask Qb) 1 Very difficult. (Ask Qb) 8 How difficult is to comply with human a. On a scale of 5 (5 means not b. Why? Check all that apply. resources requirements? difficult at all and 1 means very 1. Time consuming difficult) 2. Expensive/involves high costs 5 Not difficult at all 3. Reduces services accessibilities 4. Other, specify: 4 Somewhat difficult 3 neutral 2 Difficult (Ask Qb) 1 Very difficult. (Ask Qb) 9 How difficult is to comply with safety and a. On a scale of 5 (5 means not b. Why? Check all that apply. security? difficult at all and 1 means very 1. Time consuming difficult) 2. Expensive/involves high costs 5 Not difficult at all 3. Reduces services accessibilities 4. Other, specify: 4 Somewhat difficult 3 neutral 2 Difficult (Ask Qb) 1 Very difficult. (Ask Qb) 10 To what extent do you agree with the following On a scale of 5 (5 means totally agree and 1 means totally disagree) statement: 5 Totally agree COVID-related additional health measures, are 4 Agree accessible 3 Neither agree nor disagree 2 Disagree 1 Totally disagree 11 To what extent do you agree with the following On a scale of 5 (5 means totally agree and 1 means totally disagree) statement: 5 Totally agree COVID-related additional health measures, are 4 Agree clear 3 Neither agree nor disagree 2 Disagree 1 Totally disagree 12 What are the effects of COVID-related additional 1. Cost health measures? 2. Capacity Check all that apply. 3. Increasing caregivers/staff number 4. Other specify: 5. None 106 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 13 Are children taught healthy habits, such as hand 1. Yes, specify: washing? (check all that apply) a. Caregivers take children several times a day to bathroom and supervise washing hands b. Caregivers remind children several times a day to wash hands, but do not supervise them 2. No, explain: 3. It depends on the age of the children 14 Do you clean all surfaces with disinfectants 1. Yes regularly 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 15 Do you disinfect toys, kitchen, bathrooms and 1. Yes other equipment 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 16 Is the nursery disinfect by a professional service at 1. Yes least once a week 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 17 Do you check children temperature twice a day 1. Yes 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 18 Do you check staff members’ temperature daily 1. Yes 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 19 Do staff members change clothes and shoes as 1. Yes soon as they enter the center? 2. No 99. Refuses to answer Say: Thank you so much for participating in this interview. Now, can I please look around at the facilities? PART II: OBSERVATION AT THE CARE PROVIDER FACILITY Section I: Indoor facilities Please check which of the following you observe, and include any relevant notes. Overall layout, displays, and facilities 1 There is sufficient indoor space for children and adults to move freely 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 2 Space is in good repair, clean and well-maintained. 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 3 There is adequate lighting 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 4 There is adequate ventilation 1. Yes 2. No Notes: Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 107 5 The facilities do not have unpleasant odors 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 6 There is adequate temperature control 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 7 Floors, walls, and other surfaces are made of easy to clean materials 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 8 Space is accessible for persons with disabilities 1. Yes 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 9 Arrangement of the room makes it possible for staff to see all children at a glance 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 10 Sufficient child-sized furniture for the age groups represented (infants, toddlers, 1. Yes etc.) 2. No Notes: 11 There are clean, appropriately sized toilets for staff members 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 12 There are clean, appropriately sized toilets for potty-trained children 1. Yes 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 13 There is a separate diaper area with supplies 1. Yes 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 14 Items are displayed at children’s eye level 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 15 The facilities feel comfortable and nurturing 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 16 The kitchen is equipped for food preparation, sterilizing milk & other utensils for infants (if present) and has fridge large enough to store food 17 Floors are smooth and have nonskid surfaces. Rugs are skid proof 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 18 Doors and windows are childproof when appropriate (for example, windows can’t 1. Yes open fully, heavy doors close slowly, etc.) 2. No Notes: 19 Walls and ceilings have no peeling paint, have no cracked or falling plaster, and are 1. Yes free of crumbling asbestos 2. No Notes: 108 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 20 Safety covers are on all electrical outlets 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 21 Electrical cords are out of children’s reach 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 22 Covers and guards for fans have openings small enough to keep our children’s 1. Yes fingers. They are placed out of reach. 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 23 Central heating is used instead of freestanding heaters 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 24 Children cannot reach pipes, radiators, and other hot surfaces 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 25 Sharp furniture edges are cushioned 1. Yes 2. No Notes:: 26 Medicines, cleaning supplies, and other materials labeled “keep out of children’s 1. Yes reach” are not accessible to children 2. No Notes: 27 Thumbtacks, staples, and other adult materials are not used where children can 1. Yes reach them 2. No Notes: 28 Heavy equipment or furniture that could tip over is anchored 1. Yes 2. No Notes:: 29 There are no drowning hazards 1. Yes 2. No Notes:: 30 Stairway gates are locked in place when infants or toddlers are nearby 1. Yes 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 31 Doorways to unsupervised or unsafe areas are closed and locked unless the doors 1. Yes are used for emergency exits 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 32 Emergency exits are clearly marked and identified 1. Yes 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 33 There are no facilities in warehouse or next to the building or in the same building 1. Yes producing and/or storing explosive and flammable materials 2. No Notes: Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 109 34 Ground or first floor of building 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 35 Total area not less than 200 m2 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 36 There are different classes for different age groups (under 1.5year /1.5 – 2.5yrs/ 1. Yes 2.5 – 3.5yrs) 2. No Notes: 37 There is a separate infirmary 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 38 Classes are furnished with movable beds (rate of 1 per walking child) 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 39 There is a separate dining area with child sized tables & chairs 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 40 There is a sleeping room (with a maximum of 10 cots) for children under 1 year 1. Yes 2. No Notes: Section J: Toys, equipment, and materials Toys and materials 1 There is organized and convenient storage for toys 1. Yes 2. No Notes:: 2 Toys are clean and in good repair 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 3 There is a selection of age-appropriate books, toys, development enrichment 1. Yes materials, such as puzzles and blocks 2. No Notes:: 4 There are age-appropriate materials for children’s active play, such riding toys, 1. Yes shovels, and buckets 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 110 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Section K: Playing area facilities 1 There is playing area space 1. Yes - Continue to Q2 2. No - Skip to next section Notes: 2 The playing area space is easily accessible to children in groups 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 3 The playing area space is generally safe (for example, mats under swings, fenced 1. Yes area, etc.) 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 4 There are sufficient materials for physical activity, so children have access without 1. Yes long periods of waiting 2. No 99. Not applicable Notes: 5 There is outdoor space? 1. Yes - Continue to Q6 2. No - Skip to next section Notes: 6 How noisy is the outdoor space? 1. Quiet 2. Moderate noise 3. Very noisy 99. Not applicable Notes: Section L: COVID-19 health measures: 1 There is social distance between children 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 2 Caregivers/workers wear masks 1. Yes 2. No Notes: 3 Center provides hands sanitizers in reception area, class rooms and toilets 1. Yes 2. No Notes: Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 111 UPDATED SUPPLY-SIDE SURVEY Interviewer name: INTRODUCTION Hello my name is [], I am working with the World Bank, and we are conducting a follow up survey to the Spring 2021 academic study conducted by the World Bank that investigates how households cope with child care responsibilities in this area You should have been informed by the Ministry of Public Health, who are supporting this initiative. The objective of this survey is to improve childcare services, using your feedback and experience. The interview should last around 20 minutes, and all of the information you share will remain anonymous and confidential, and will only be used for the above-mentioned research purposes. No individual information will be shared with third parties and/or disclosed. Do you agree to respond to this short questionnaire? 1. I hereby give consent to be subject of your research 1. Yes 2. No 2. Date of 1st interview _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ 3. Completed interview? 4. If revisit rescheduled _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ attempt: DD/MM/YYYY Use code from List A (3 in List A), when? DD/MM/YYYY …. 5. Date of 2nd interview _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ 6. Completed interview? 7. If revisit rescheduled _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _ attempt: DD/MM/YYYY Use code from List A (3 in List A), when? DD/MM/YYYY …. List A Completed=1 Revisit scheduled=2 Refused to participate=3 SHIFTS, PRICING AND COSTING 1. What is the length of the main shift at specify time the center? Main Shift , specify time: From……. To…… 2. What is the monthly price of the core Monthly payment: ___________ LL / FUSD shift of care services? (does it include Professional Care, Material, Periodic Health Check Ups, Extra Activities such as language, sports, music) 3. Do you propose extra shifts after the 1. Yes: ___________ LL / FUSD end of the main shift? 2. No 4. Do you charge an entry deposit? 1. Yes: ___________ LL / FUSD 2. No 5. What is [service provider]’s total Specify: …… capacity (of children who can receive 98. Does not know care)? 99. Refuses to answer 112 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 6. How many children are currently Specify: …… enrolled in the setting (total of all 98. Does not know classes)? 99. Refuses to answer 7. Are children served food? 1. Yes, and it’s included in price If not included in price, please 2. Yes, but parents pay extra for the food specify the extra cost in LL / 3. No, Children bring their own food FUSD 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 8. What are the monthly operational 1. Monthly Rent __________LL / FUSD costs of this facility? 2. Salaries of managerial staff __________LL / FUSD 3. Salaries of teachers/caregivers __________LL / FUSD 4. Salaries of janitorial staff __________LL / FUSD (Check all that apply) 5. Salaries of nursing/medical __________LL / FUSD 6. Salaries of cooking staff/catering __________LL / FUSD 7. Cost of food/snacks items __________LL / FUSD 8. Maintenance __________LL / FUSD 9. Electricity / Generator __________LL 10. Other Utilities (Water, Gaz..) __________LL 11. Telecommunication (Includes telephone and internet) __________LL / FUSD 12. Insurance __________LL / FUSD 13. Stationery __________LL / FUSD 14. Cleaning, cleaning products and sanitizers __________LL / FUSD 15. Protection supplies from COVID-19 (facemasks, gowns, gloves, thermometers, etc.) __________LL / FUSD 16. Publishing and printing __________LL / FUSD 17. Health __________LL / FUSD 18. Education and training __________LL / FUSD 19. Transport costs __________LL / FUSD 20. Other 1, specify……… __________LL / FUSD 21. Other 2, specify………. __________LL / FUSD 9. Do student fees cover all operational At present Before September 2019 costs or a certain percentage of 1. it covers b/w 0 – 20% of operational costs 1. 0-20% operational costs? 2. it covers b/w 20 – 40% of operational costs 2. 20-40% 3. it covers b/w 40 – 60% of operational costs 3. 40-60% 4. it covers b/w 60 – 80% of operational costs 4. 60-80% 5. it covers b/w 80 – 100% of operational costs 5. 80-100% 6. it covers more than operational costs 6. >100% (profitable) 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 10. What percentage of families have At present trouble paying for the services? 1. 0% 2. More than 0, but less than 20% 3. 21-40% 4. 41-60% 5. 61-80% 6. 81-100% 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 11. Is there anything else you would like (Enumerator: Be synthetic) to share with us related to the pricing and cost structure? 12. Overall Impressions Interviewer should note if there were any issues during this part of interview Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 113 HOUSEHOLD SURVEY - INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE The core questionnaire was adapted from previous mixed methods studies on childcare supply conducted by the World Bank in Turkey, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus (see World Bank 2019; World Bank 2015). The questions related to the implications of COVID-19 for childcare arrangements were adapted from the rapid gender assessments of COVID-19 conducted by UN Women (2020). Interviewer name: INTRODUCTION Hello, my name is [name] and I am coming from firm . I am coming here for an academic study conducted by the World Bank that investigates how households are coping with childcare responsibilities in this area. I would like to ask you about how your family covers childcare needs, and about the distribution of work and care responsibilities in your household. We are trying to better understand needs in this area. All the information that you will provide will remain fully anonymous and confidential and no one will be able to link your names to your responses. Would you consent to participating? I hereby give consent to be subject of your research Yes 2. No 1. Date of 1st interview --/--/---- 21. Completed interview? 22. If revisit rescheduled --/--/---- attempt: DD/MM/YYYY Use code from List A (3 in List A), when? DD/MM/YYYY - 2. Date of 2 interview nd --/--/---- 25. Completed interview? 26. If revisit rescheduled --/--/---- attempt: DD/MM/YYYY Use code from List A (3 in List A), when? DD/MM/YYYY - List A Completed=1 Revisit scheduled=2 Refused to participate 114 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY SECTION 1: BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT RESPONDENT Say: We would like to start by asking you some questions about you. Please answer the questions as accurately and completely as you can. If there is a question you do not want to answer, you may skip it. 13 Phone number: 14 Location: 15 Year of birth ---- 99. Refuses to answer 16 What is your marital status? 1. With a partner/spouse who lives together with you in your household 2. With a partner/spouse who lives outside of the household 3. Divorced with no current partner/spouse 4. Widowed with no current partner/spouse 97. Other, specify: 99. Refuses to answer 17 What is the highest level of education completed (Please check 1. None one) 2. Pre-school 3. Primary incomplete (Level 1 & 2) 4. Primary (Level 1 & 2) 5. Complementary (Level 3) 6. Secondary 7. University 8. BP (Complementary Technical) 9. BT (Bacalaureat Technique) 10. TS (Technique Superieure) 11. LT (Licence Technique) 12. Non-standard curriculum 13. Special curriculum for disabled 99. Refuses to answer 18 During the past 7 days, that is from [day] up to yesterday, did you 1. Yes - Continue to question 14 do any work for wage, salary, commission, tip or any other pay, for 2. No one or more hours? 19 During the past 7 days, did you run or do any kind of business, 3. Yes - Continue to question 14 farming or other activities to generate income, for one or more 4. No hours? 20 During the past 7 days, did you help without pay in a business 5. Yes - Continue to question 14 owned by a household or family member or help a member of 6. No household or family in his/her paid job, for one or more hours? 21 Even though you did not work in the past 7 days, did you have a 7. Yes - Continue to question 10 paid job or a business? 8. No - Skip to question 23 22 What are the reasons for not having worked over the past 7 days? 1. Off season/ low season (skip to question 23) DO NOT READ. MULTIPLE ANSWERS. SELECT UP TO THREE 2. Shift work, flexi time, nature of work, CLOSEST ANSWER OPTIONS BASED ON THE RESPONDENT’S 3. Vacation, holidays ANSWER. IF RESPONDENT’S ANSWER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 4. Own sickness, illness, accident LIST, SELECT “OTHER” AND SPECIFY. 5. Maternity / Paternity leave 6. Education leave / training 7. Temporary layoff, no clients or materials, work break 8. Bad weather, natural disaster 9. Strike or Labour dispute 10. COVID-19 measures/lockdown 11. Looking after the home or family 12. Assisting my children in online learning 13. Waiting for a new business or economic project to start 97.Other, please specify ______________ Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 115 23 Will you return to work or your economic project within 3 months 1. Yes - Continue to question 12 or less? 2. No - Continue to question 13 98. Don’t know 24 Have you been absent from this job or business for 3 months or 1. Yes - Continue to question 14 less? 2. No - Continue to question 13 3. 98. Don’t know 25 Do you continue to receive an income from your job or business 1. Yes during this absence? 2. No - Continue to question 23 3. 98. Don’t know 26 Enumerator, read aloud: I am going to ask you some questions 1. Managers regarding the main job you had either last week or the last week 2. Professionals you worked before your temporary absence. The main job is the job 3. Technicians and associate professionals for which you worked the longest hours. 4. Clerical support workers In your main job, what kind of work you usually do? 5. Service and sales workers What is your job title? What are your main tasks or duties 6. Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers 7. Craft and related trades workers 8. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers 9. Elementary occupations 10. Cleaners and helpers 11. Agricultural, forestry and fishery labourers 12. Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport 13. Food preparation assistants 14. Street and related sales and service workers 15. Refuse workers and other elementary workers 16. Armed forces occupations 17. Other, please specify: 27 What is the sector of the employment? (for your main job) 1. Private sector 2. A government institution or a state-owned enterprise 3. Own or family owned business 4. A household as domestic worker 5. A NGO, non-profit institution, religious institution 28 How often do you do this activity 1. Part-time (less than 48 hours per week but regular (for your main job) throughout the year) 2. Full-time (full time means 48+ hours per week) 3. Seasonal 97. Other, specify: 116 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 29 What is the economic activity of the establishment/business 1. Agriculture; forestry and fishing where you work in your main job? 2. Mining and quarrying What are the main goods or services produced? 3. Manufacturing Do not read industries, select based on the description by the 4. Electricity; gas, steam and air conditioning supply respondent. 5. Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 6. Construction 7. Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 8. Transportation and storage 9. Accommodation and food service activities 10. Information and communication 11. Financial and insurance activities 12. Real estate activities 13. Professional, scientific and technical activities 14. Administrative and support service activities 15. Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 16. Education 17. Human health and social work activities 18. Arts, entertainment and recreation 19. Other service activities 20. Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use 21. Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies 97. Other, specify_____________________________ 96. I did not indicate that my main activity involved paid work (not applicable) 30 Does your current employer provide any type of social security 1. Yes (Pension Fund / Health / «? 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 31 Do you have a paid annual leave? 1. Yes 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 32 Does [name] get paid sick leave in case of an illness or injury? 1. Yes 2. No 99. Refuses to answer 33 (To those who did work in the past week, or those who did not but 1. Yes have a job) 2. No Does your employer provide any benefits related to childcare? SINGLER ANSWER 34 (To those who did work in the past week, or those who did not but 1. Maternity leave have a job) 2. Paternity leave What kind of benefits does your employer provide for childcare? 3. Voucher for daycare Multiple ANSWER 4. On-site daycare 5. Flexible work arrangements 97. Other, please specify ______________ 35 During the past four (4) weeks, that is from [date] until yesterday, 1. Yes, tried to find a job did you do anything to find a paid job or start a business? 2. Yes, tried to start a business 3. No Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 117 36 What did [name] mainly do in the past four weeks to find a job or 1. Applied to prospective employers start a business? Please give me up to four ways, starting with the 2. Placed / answered job advertisements most important. 3. Studied or read job advertisements Record up to four reasons, starting to most important, followed by 4. Posted / updated resume on professional / social the second most important and so on. networking sites If no more reasons, code ‘14’ and move to the next question. 5. Registered with the National Employment Office 6. Registered with private employment agency 7. Took a test or interview 8. Sought help from relatives, friends, acquaintances 9. Checked / asked at workplaces (e.g. factories, worksites, markets, farms) 10. Waited on the street to be recruited 11. Sought financial resources to start a business 12. Looked for land, building/s, equipment, machinery, materials to start a business 13. Applied for permits / licenses to start a business 14. Nothing else 97. Other, specify 37 For how long have you been trying to find a job or start a business? 1. Less than 1 month 2. Less than 3 months 3. Less than 6 months 4. Less than 12 months 5. Less than 2 years 6. 2 years or more 38 What is the main reason why you did not try to find a job or start 1. Waiting for results of a previous search a business in the last 4 weeks? 2. Awaiting recall by previous employer/job 3. Waiting for the season to start 4. Waiting to start new job/business 5. Believes no work available in the area 6. Could not find a suitable job 7. Lack of experience 8. Lack of job matching qualifications or skills 9. Family responsibilities, household chore 10. Family objection 11. Education or training 12. Own illness, disability or injury 13. Considered too young or too old by prospective employers 14. Lack of infrastructure in the area (assets, roads, transportation, employment services) 15. Don’t need to work because has other source of income (pension, rent) 16. Does not want to work 17. Gender considerations 97. Other, specify 39 If a job became available, would you be available to start working 1. Yes skip to Q29 within the next two weeks? 2. No 40 What is the main reason you are not available to work within the 1. Studies, training next two weeks? 2. Own illness, injury 3. Travel 4. Family reasons 5. Household chores (excluding childcaring) 6. Childcaring responsibilities 7. Old age, retired 8. Preparing to start a new job 9. Family objections 10. Awaiting recall from previous job 11. Waiting for the season to start 97. Other, specify 118 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 41 (For those who have a job) 1. ≤ (675000LL) What is your estimated monthly income from your paid work (not 2. 676,000 LL to 1,500,000 LL your entire household)? 3. 1,501,000 to 2,500,000 LL 4. 2,501,000 to 4,000,000 LL 5. 4,001,000 to 6,000,000 LL 6. 6,001,000 to 10,500,000 LL 7. > 10,500,000 LL 96. I do not work for pay (not applicable) 99. Refuses to answer 42 (All respondents) 1. ≤ (675000LL) What is your HH estimated monthly income? 2. 676,000 LL to 1,500,000 LL 3. 1,501,000 to 2,500,000 LL 4. 2,501,000 to 4,000,000 LL 5. 4,001,000 to 6,000,000 LL 6. 6,001,000 to 10,500,000 LL 7. > 10,500,000 LL 96. No one works for pay (not applicable) 99. Refuses to answer 43 What percentage of your monthly income goes to childcare? ------ % (By childcare we mean services for taking care of child such as 96. I do not work for pay (not applicable) a nursery, a pre-school, a nanny, other caregivers who help for a fee, etc. This does NOT include food, clothes and other expenses regarding children) 44 Does anyone else in your household pay for care? 1. Yes (By childcare we mean services for taking care of child such as a 2. No - Skip to 34 (or Q35 if the respondent does not nursery, pre-school, a nanny, any other caregivers who help for a work) fee, etc. This does NOT include food, clothes and other expenses regarding children) 45 If someone else in your household pays for care, who is it? 1. Husband/wife (Put relationship to respondent as in a roster) 2. Mother/father 3. Mother in law/father in law 4. Sister/brother 5. Sister in law/brother in law 97. Other, specify: 46 (To those who did work in the past week, or those who did not but ------ % have a job) 96. I am not willing to pay What percentage of your monthly income are you willing to pay 98. Don’t know for childcare that is of acceptable quality? 99. Refuses to answer (By childcare we mean services for taking care of child such as a nursery, a pre-school, a nanny, other caregivers who help for a fee, etc. This does NOT include food, clothes and other expenses regarding children) 47 What percentage of your household monthly income are you ------ % willing to pay for childcare that is of acceptable quality? 96. I am not willing to pay (By childcare we mean services for taking care of child such as 98. Don’t know a nursery, a pre-school, a nanny, other caregivers who help for a 99. Refuses to answer fee, etc. This does NOT include food, clothes and other expenses regarding children) Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 119 SECTON 2: HOUSEHOLD ROSTER Say: Next, we would like to know about the people who live with you in your household. By “household,” we mean people who live together under the same roof. First, can you please tell me the names of everyone in your household, starting with your partner/spouse if there is one in your household? Note to interviewer: First, list the names of everyone in the household in the column entitled “Name,” with one person per row, starting with the respondent’s partner/spouse if there is one in your household. Then, start with the first person the respondent listed and, in that row, ask the additional information about him/her that is found in each column. Ask about their relationship to the respondent (mark the answer using a code from List B), ask their sex (mark M for male or F for female), ask and write down their age, write their primary activity (use a code from List C) and whether s/he does this part-time, full-time, or seasonally (mark PT for part-time, FT for full-time, or S for seasonally), and ask the questions about their care needs and help. Please do NOT include the respondent. # Name Relationship to Sex Age Activity Does this person Do you provide Does this person you (Use code (Use a code need help and care for this help you with care from List B) from List C) care? person? responsibilities? (Mark all that apply) 1 1. M 1. Not at all 1. No 1. No 2. F 1. PT 2. Yes, needs some 2. Yes, but rarely 2. Yes, s/he cares for me 2. FT help 3. Yes, sometimes 3. Yes, s/he helps me to 3. S 3. Yes, needs a lot 3. Yes, frequently care for a child/children of help 4. Yes, s/he helps me to care for the elderly 2 List B (Relationship to R) List C (Main job) Household member is respondents: 1. Monthly paid employed 1. Partner or spouse 2. Weekly, daily or on the basis of productivity paid employee 2. Biological child with the current partner or spouse 3. Employer 3. Biological child with a former partner or spouse (this 4. Own-account workers/self-employed (includes farming) includes partner or spouse who died) 5. Unpaid family helper/ Helping a family member in a family 4. Stepchild business or a farm 5. Adopted child 6. Unemployed and looking for work 6. Biological or adoptive parent 7. Not working – and not looking for work / inactive 7. Stepparent or foster parent 8. Trainee, apprentice 8. Biological or adoptive parent of current partner or spouse 9. Student, in school, in vocational training 9. Stepparent or foster parent of current partner or spouse 10. Retired 10. Grand- or great-grandparent (either R’s or partner’s) 97. Other 11. Brother or sister List D (Location) 12. Partner or spouse’s brother or sister 1. In the same building 13. Partner or spouse of a child 2. In the same street 14. Other relative of R 3. In the same city 15. Other relative of partner or spouse 4. In the same district 16. A Non-relative, domestic helper 5. In the same governorate 17. Other non-relative 97. Other, specify 120 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY SECTION 3: ROSTER FOR NON-HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS Is there anyone who does NOT live in your household but either helps you with care responsibilities (caring for you or others) or that you help and provide care to? 1. Yes - Continue to roster 2. No - Skip to Section 4 Say: Can you please tell me the names of everyone who does NOT live in your household but either helps you with care responsibilities (caring for you or others) or that you help and provide care to? Note to interviewer: In the roster below, first list the names of everyone in who falls into this category in the column entitled “Name,” with one person per row. Then, start with the first person the respondent listed and, in that row, ask the additional information about him/her that is found in each column, as you did for the household roster. Ask about their relationship to the respondent (mark the answer using a code from List B), ask their sex (mark M for male or F for female), ask and write down their age, write their primary activity (use a code from List C) and whether s/he does this part-time, full-time, or seasonally (mark PT for part-time, FT for full-time, or S for seasonally), and ask the questions about their care needs and help. Please do NOT include the respondent. # Name Relation- Sex Age Main job Where does Does this Do you Does s/he Does s/he help Do you pay him/ ship to you (Use code s/he live? person provide pay you for you with care her for this help (Use code from List C) (Use code need help care this care? responsibilities? with your care from List B) from List and care? for this (Mark all that responsibilities? D) person? apply) 1 1. M 1. PT 1. Not at all 1. No 1. Yes 1. No 1. Yes 2. F 2. FT 2. Yes, 2. Yes, but 2. No 2. Yes, s/he cares 2. No 3. S needs some rarely for me help 3. Yes, 3. Yes, s/he helps 3. Yes, sometimes me to care for a needs a lot 3. Yes, child/children of help frequently 4. Yes, s/he helps me to care for the elderly 2 SECTION 4: CHILDCARE DIVISION OF TASKS “We will focus on children in the 0-5 age group only” Say: Next we are going to ask about how childcare works for you, your household, and your family. 1 Over the last 12 months, have you given regular help with childcare to other people? 1. Yes - Continue to question 2 2. No - Skip to question 4 2 How much time do you spend on caring for a child/children as your primary activity on a -- hours and -- minutes typical day? (help in providing care not providing care as a paid job) This is for ALL children you care for, including children in your household and not in your household. Please write down amount of hours and minutes per day. We are interested in weekdays. Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 121 3 How much time do you spend on caring for a child/children while you are doing something -- hours and -- minutes else on a typical day? (help in providing care not as a paid job) By this we have in mind time spent on some other activities while in the same time you take care of the child (for example cooking, doing housework, or just being at home but without possibility to do some paid job out of home due to childcare). This is for ALL children you care for, including children in your household and not in your household. Please write down amount of hours and minutes per day. We are interested in weekdays. Roster for childcare division of tasks Now we would like to know how you handle your child’s care in terms of division of tasks, and financial matters. “We will focus on children in the 0-5 age group only” # 1. Age of 2. Do you get 4. Where do you get the main 6. If you are receiving 8. How 10. Do you 12. If you pay for 14. In total, what the child regular help regular help from? (In present) help from a family frequently pay for this this main help, percentage of with childcare 5. Before September 2019 member, who is s/he? (In do you make main help? how much do you your household from a day care present) use of this (In present) usually pay? (In income goes center, a nursery (multiple answers) main help? (In 11. Before present) toward paying or pre-school, 7. Before September present) September 13. Before for childcare? an afterschool 2019 9. Before 2019 September 2019 15. (By childcare care-center, a (multiple answers) September we mean self-organized 2019 services for childcare group, taking care of a babysitter, or child such as pre- from some other school, nanny, institutional or etc. It does NOT paid or unpaid include food, arrangement? (In clothes and present) other expenses 3. Before regarding September 2019 children) (In (do not ask if the present) child was born 16. Before after) September 2019 1. -- 1. Yes 1. From a state, formal 1. My partner or spouse -- days per 1. Yes ------- LL 1. 0% 2. No institution/such as a state 2. Another of my children week/month/ 2. No per hour/day/ 2. More than 0, day care center, nursery, or (biological, adopted, year (check week/month but less than 10% afterschool care-center stepchild, or foster child) one) (check one) 3. 10-20% 2. From a state, formal 3. My mother 4. 21-30% institution/pre-school) 4. My father 5. 31-40% 3. From a private, formal 5. My mother-in-law 6. 41-50% institution/such as a private 6. My father-in-law 7. 51-60% day care center, nursery, or 7. My sister 8. More than 60% afterschool care-center 8. My brother 4. From a private, formal 9. Another female relative institution/pre-school 10. Another male relative 5. From an informal institution, 11. A female friend/ such as a self-organized group neighbor 6. From a private individual 12. A male friend/ at my home (such as a nanny, neighbor babysitter or domestic helper) 97. Other, specify: 7. From a private individual NOT at my home (such as a nanny or babysitter) From a family member at my home From a family member NOT at my home 97. From another institutional or paid or unpaid arrangement, specify: 122 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 20. Below is a list of various tasks that have to be done when one lives together with children. Please tell me who in your household does these tasks? Always Usually Me and someone else Usually someone else Always someone else Children Not me me about equally them- applicable selves a) Dressing the 1 2 3 4 5 6 99 children or seeing 1.In Household, 1.In Household, 1.In Household, that the children member member member are properly # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ dressed 2.Not in household 2.Not in household 2.Not in household b) Putting the 1 2 3 4 5 6 99 children to bed 1.In Household, 1.In Household, 1.In Household, and/or seeing that member member member they are in bed # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ 2.Not in household 2.Not in household 2.Not in household c) Staying at 1 2 3 4 5 6 99 home with the 1.In Household, 1.In Household, 1.In Household, children when member member member they are ill # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ 2.Not in household 2.Not in household 2.Not in household d) Playing with 1 2 3 4 5 6 99 the children and/ 1.In Household, 1.In Household, 1.In Household, or taking part in member member member leisure activities # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ with them 2.Not in household 2.Not in household 2.Not in household e) Helping the 1 2 3 4 5 6 99 children with 1.In Household, 1.In Household, 1.In Household, homework member member member # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ 2.Not in household 2.Not in household 2.Not in household f) Taking the 1 2 3 4 5 6 99 children to/from 1.In Household, 1.In Household, 1.In Household, school, day care member member member center, babysitter, # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ # from roster: ------ or leisure 2.Not in household 2.Not in household 2.Not in household activities Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 123 21. How satisfied are you with the way childcare tasks are divided between you and your partner/spouse? Please use this card and tell me the value on the scale. Show Satisfaction Scale to respondent. Value from Satisfaction Scale: SATISFACTION SCALE 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 completely not at all The effect of COVID-19 on childcare responsibilities 1. As a result of COVID19, has the number of hours devoted to the following activities changed? I do not usually Increased Unchanged Decreased do it a Caring for children, including feeding and physical care b Playing with, talking to and reading to children 4 3 2 1 c Instructing, teaching, training children 4 3 2 1 d Cooking and cleaning 4 3 2 1 2. Since the spread of COVID19, in which activity do you spend the most time? Please select one, then NEXT Caring for children, including feeding and physical care Playing with, talking to and reading to children Instructing, teaching, training children Cooking and cleaning 3. Since the spread of COVID19 have roles and responsibilities within the household been affected? Select all that apply. Yes No Not applicable a. My partner helps me more with household chores 1 2 3 b. My partner helps me more with caring for family 1 2 3 c. My daughter(s) helps me more with household chores and caring for family 1 2 3 d. My son(s) helps me more with household chores and caring for family 1 2 3 e. Other family/household members help me more with household chores and caring for family 1 2 3 f. Hired a domestic worker/babysitter / nurse / teacher for online 1 2 3 g. Domestic worker/babysitter/nurse works longer hours with us 1 2 3 h. Domestic worker/babysitter/nurse no longer works with us 1 2 3 i. I am on my own, no one can help me with household chores and caring for family 1 2 3 124 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 4 If the restrictive measures related to spread of COVID19 1. Will have to ask help from relatives continue (in particular, closures of childcare centers), 2. Will have to hire a nanny/domestic worker/babysitter what would you most likely do to cover childcare needs 3. Will cut the number of hours worked (Check all that apply) 4. Will quit job 5. Will send children to centers that re-open 97. Other, specify: 96. Does not apply 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 5 Did you already take any of those actions to cover 1. Ask help from relatives childcare needs during last year’s restrictive measures 2. Hire a nanny/ domestic worker/babysitter related to spread of COVID19? 3. Cut the number of hours worked (Check all that apply) 4. Quit job 5. Send children to centers that re-open 97. Other, specify: 96. Does not apply 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 6 Under what conditions would you consider sending your 1. When the government authorizes centers to re-open children to a nursery or pre-school? 2. Even if government authorizes centers to re-open, I will not send them until people receive the vaccine 3. Will not send them at all 96. Does not apply 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 7 Once the government authorizes re-opening of 1. Children going certain days per week only childcare centers, what are the actions you would like 2. Fewer number of children per group or classroom to see in the center of your choice (select all that apply) 3. Center mixes in-person days with virtual days (pre-schools only) 4. Make it mandatory for children to wear a mask 5. Shorter shifts 6. Government to closely supervise protocols in childcare centers 7. Constant communication with parents 96. Does not apply 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer 8 Which of your family members are mainly involved in 1. I do it on my own schooling of child/ren at home during the quarantine 2. Partner (spouse) (supervising study, assistance with homework)? 3. Ex-partner (if you are divorced or separated) (Check all that apply) 4. (Great-)grandmothers/ (Great-)grandfathers (For families with children older than 6) 5. Hired workers (teacher) 6. Neighbors 7. Older children 8. Other relatives 9. Nobody, the child/children study on their own 97.Other, specify: 99. Refuses to answer Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 125 SECTION 5: DEMAND FOR CHILDCARE 1 If the respondent has children aged 4 or below and not 1. Yes – state services only enrolled in childcare facilities (answered 5. From an informal 2. Yes – private daycare only institution, such as a self-organized group, 6.from a private individual at my home (such as a nanny, babysitter or 3. Yes – either domestic helper), 7. From a private individual NOT at my 4. No home (such as a nanny or babysitter), 8. From a family 98. Don’t know member at my home, 9. From a family member NOT at my home for item 7 under Roster for childcare division of tasks) Would you be willing to use free day care (through the state or private day care) services? SINGLER ANSWER 2 If the respondent has children aged 4 or below and not 1. Yes – state services only enrolled in childcare facilities (answered 5. From an informal 2. Yes – private daycare only institution, such as a self-organized group, 6.from a private individual at my home (such as a nanny, babysitter or 3. Yes – either domestic helper), 7. From a private individual NOT at my 4. No home (such as a nanny or babysitter), 8. From a family 98. Don’t know member at my home, 9. From a family member NOT at my home for item 7 under Roster for childcare division of tasks) Would you be willing to use paid day care (through the state or private day care, including at one’s work) services? SINGLER ANSWER 3 ASK IF Q1 CODED 4 OR Q2 CODED 4 1. I don’t trust day care center/ other people to watch my What is the main reason you would not be interested in children using day care services? DO NOT READ. SINGLE ANSWER. 2. Believe mothers should look after their own young children 3. I am able to watch my children myself / don’t need additional help 4. Husband/ family do not approve 5. There are other family members to look after the children 6. Too expensive 7. Expect it to be too far 8. Day cares are not good for child development 9. Fear that society would disapprove of the woman for being a bad mother 10. Sending child to day care might negatively affect family’s image/ status 11. Expect daycare to be of low quality 12. Expect inconvenient hours 13. Religious/ social leader disapproves 14. Don’t want child to mix with people of different background 15. Had bad experience with day care in the past 97. Other, please specify ______________ 4 ASK IF Q1 CODED 1 OR 2 or 3 1. Yes Would you be willing to start working/ open a business/ 2. No work longer hours if you had access to FREE day care 98. Don’t know (through state or private including through one’s work) services? SINGLE ANSWER. 5 ASK IF Q4 CODED 1 1. Start own business at home What type of work would you do? READ. MULTIPLE 2. Work for family business at home ANSWERS 3. Work for someone else at home 4. Start own business outside home 5. Work for family business outside home 6. Work for someone else outside home 7. Work more hours in current position [[SCRIPTER: SHOW IF 1. Q6 or Q7 or Q8 or Q9 CODED 1 98. Don’t know [EXCLUSIVE] 126 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 6 (If the respondent has a child aged 4 or 5 years old and 1. There are no pre-schools for this age group in this area does not attend pre-school) 2. Pre-schools in this area are not good Why you did not send your child to pre-school? 3. Pre-schools in this area are too expensive (Check all that apply) 4. Child care centers’ hours are more convenient for me 5. I prefer to keep my child in the center he/she is used to 6. Child care centers’ opening days during COVID-19 are more convenient for me 7. For health reasons about COVID-19 8. I don’t believe in online teaching for this age category (COVID-19) 9. Not willing to pay school fees for online learning (COVID-19) 97.Other, specify: 98. Does not know 99. Refuses to answer SECTION 6: VALUES AND ATTITUDES Say: Finally, we have some questions about your values and attitudes. 1 There are widely varying a. Care for children 3 and bellow 1. Mainly a task for society views on how we should care 2. Mainly a task for the family for people in our society. 3. Both a task for society and the family Please indicate for each of the topics mentioned whether you b. Care for pre-school children (4-5) 1. Mainly a task for society think (your own opinion) it is mainly the task for society, 2. Mainly a task for the family the family or for both. 3. Both a task for society and the family c. Care for schoolchildren during after-school hours 1. Mainly a task for society 2. Mainly a task for the family 3. Both a task for society and the family e. Financial support for younger people with 1. Mainly a task for society children who live below subsistence level 2. Mainly a task for the family 3. Both a task for society and the family 2 To what extent do you agree a. Grandparents should look after their 1. Agree or disagree with each of the grandchildren if the parents of these grandchildren 2. Neither agree nor disagree following statements? are unable to do so 3. Disagree 3 To what extent do you agree a. Looking after the home or family is just as 1. Agree or disagree with the following fulfilling as working for pay 2. Neither agree nor disagree statements? 3. Disagree b. A pre-school child is likely to suffer if his/her 1. Agree mother works 2. Neither agree nor disagree 3. Disagree c. Children often suffer because their fathers 1. Agree concentrate too much on their work 2. Neither agree nor disagree 3. Disagree d. If parents are divorced it is better for the child 1. Agree to stay 2. Neither agree nor disagree with the mother than with the father 3. Disagree Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 127 4 To what extent do you agree a. When jobs are scarce, men should have more 1. Agree or disagree with the following right to a job than women 2. Neither agree nor disagree statements? 3. Disagree b. When jobs are scarce, younger people should 1. Agree have more right to a job than older people 2. Neither agree nor disagree 3. Disagree c. When jobs are scarce, people with children 1. Agree should have more right to a job than childless 2. Neither agree nor disagree people 3. Disagree 5 To what extent do you agree a. It is okay for married women to work outside of 1. Agree or disagree with the following their homes 2. Neither agree nor disagree statements? 3. Disagree b. It is okay for a woman who has a child younger 1. Agree than 5 years old to work outside the home if she 2. Neither agree nor disagree can leave her young child with close relative 3. Disagree c. It is okay for a woman who has a child younger 1. Agree than 5 years old to work outside the home if she 2. Neither agree nor disagree can leave her young child at daycare 3. Disagree 6 In your opinion: a. At what age is it appropriate for women to leave ____ years and ________months a child at daycare or elsewhere and work outside? 95. Never 98. Don’t Know 99. Refused b. At what age is it appropriate for women to leave ____ years and ________months a child with a relative and work outside? 95. Never 98 Don’t Know 99.. Refused 7 To what extent do you agree As a result of the spread of COVID-19 and the 1. Agree or disagree with the following closures of nurseries, pre-schools and schools, 2. Neither agree nor disagree statement? women should work less and dedicate more time to 3. Disagree household responsibilities. 1 Please name all nurseries and day care centers in your neighborhood Specify name: 128 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY EMPLOYER-PROVIDED CHILDCARE QUESTIONNAIRE INTRODUCTION Thank you for agreeing to participate in a World Bank Group and Statistics Lebanon study on Family-Friendly Workplaces - Tackling Childcare in Lebanon 2021. You will be asked to respond to this survey on employer- supported childcare in Lebanon. Your inputs will help multiple stakeholders understand the challenges and opportunities that employers face and they will inform dialogue on childcare. The study will result in a publicly available policy brief with recommendations for public and private sector action to advance family-friendly workplaces in Lebanon. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The reporting of survey results will not, in any form, identify any company or respondent. All responses will be compiled and communicated at the aggregate level. Section 1: All Respondents 1. What is the name of your organization? (This information will be kept in the strictest of confidence, and will be anonymized in our report, we only ask it to avoid collecting data twice from the same organization) 2. Please select the primary industry of your organization: Do not read answers  Agriculture; forestry and fishing  Mining and quarrying  Manufacturing  Electricity; gas, steam and air conditioning supply  Water supply; sewerage,  Construction waste management and remediation activities  Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor  Transportation and  Accommodation and vehicles and motorcycles storage food service activities  Information and communication  Financial and insurance  Real estate activities activities  Professional, scientific and technical activities  Administrative and  Education support service activities  Human health and social work activities  Arts, entertainment and  Other service recreation activities  Other please specify ______________ 3. What best describes your position in your organization?  Officer  Manager  Senior Manager  Director  Vice President  Senior Vice President  Director - General  Managing Director  Chief Executive Officer  President  Prefer not to answer Other please specify…………………. 4. What is your sex?  Male  Female  Prefer not to answer Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 129 5, Please select the location of your work site in Lebanon (where you are currently located):  Beirut  Mount Lebanon  South  Nabatiyeh  Bekaa  Baalbek-Hermel  North  Akaar Please specify the region (Caza in each governorate) ______________ 6. Please fill out the following information about your organization. Total Estimated Number of Employees (Male & Female) in your organization (multiple worksites combined)- (if applicable) Estimated % of Female Employees in your organization (multiple worksites combined) – (if applicable) Total Estimated Number of Employees (Male & Female) at your specific worksite (where you are located) only if different from above Estimated % of Female Employees at your specific worksite (where you are located) only if different from above 7. Please enter the approximate number of employees that are working parents with children in the 0 to 5 (end) age group in your organization. (Leave blank if you do not know) Approximate number of employees with children 0-5 years old Of those employees: approximate share of female employees with children 0-5 years old 8. What is the approximate share of employees who work on a full-time basis? *Definition: Full-time jobs in Lebanon have a minimum of 48 working hours/week. Male Salaried Full-time Female Salaried Full- time 9. Please select the types of shifts at your work site (Select all that apply): *Rotating Shifts refers to shifts that rotate or change according to schedule.  5-day week daytime  6-day week daytime  Evening shifts shifts shifts  Overnight shifts  Rotating shifts*  Extended hour shifts  Weekend shifts Note: In this sub-section, we will assess your company’s awareness of various legislations in Lebanon that are relevant to family-friendly policies at the workplace. 10. Are you familiar with the following legislations? (Select all that apply)  Lebanese Labor Laws  National Social Security  I am not familiar with Laws any such legislation  If any other legislation is not mentioned, please specify: 11. What is the status of your company informing employees about parental leave and childcare support?  In place regardless  In place due to legal /  Under consideration of any legislation legislative or external but awaiting or legal provisions requirements (labor implementation requiring companies union/syndicate) to to inform employees inform employees  Yet to consider  Don’t know 12. Does your company offer maternity leave to your female employees?  Yes, as per Company  No paid maternity leave (go to Q.14) Policy (Please specify duration in weeks) __________ 130 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 13. During the paid maternity leave, what percentage of wages do you pay your employees?  100%  Any other percentage (please specify) __________________ 14. What is the length of unpaid maternity leave offered to your female employees?  No unpaid maternity  As per Company Policy (Please specify duration in weeks) leave __________ 15. Does your company offer paid paternity leave to your male employees?  Yes, as per Company  No paid paternity leave (go to Q 17) Policy (Please specify duration in days) ____________ 16. During the paid paternity leave, what percentage of wages do you pay your employees?  100%  Any other percentage (please specify) ___________________ 17. What is the length of unpaid paternity leave offered to your male employees?  No unpaid paternity  As per Company Policy (Please specify duration in days) __________ leave 18. Please identify which family-friendly policies, programs or resources your organization currently offers, or plans to offer in the next 12 months. (Select all that apply) Currently Doesn’t offer but Doesn’t offer Don’t know offers plans to in the next 12 and doesn’t months plan to in the next 12 months Transportation for employees     Transportation for children of employees     (to childcare center) Dedicated paid time off to care for sick children     (other than vacation days) Care for school-age children when school is     closed – Afterschool programs Care for school-age children when school is     closed – Summer camps Maternity return to work support / returnship     program A breastfeeding/lactation room     One-hour breastfeeding break after shift of five     continuous hours of work (In addition to lunch break) Telecommuting: working from home on     regular days each month or week (not related to Covid-19 lockdown or other emergency measures) Flexible work hours: flexibility with start and     stop times (while working core hours) Work/life balance programs including training     and/or support groups, or other special interest (care for elderly parents or new parents) A performance appraisal system taking into     consideration that the employee was on     parental leave Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 131 For all indicated ‘currently offered’: Which of those policies, programs or support were introduced as a response to specific needs under COVID Drop down menu for all selected item in column one  None of the family-friendly policies, programs or resources currently offered were initiated as a result of covid Other policies, programs, supports offered in past year, specify: Now we’ll move on to talking about childcare support Examples of childcare options (between 2 months and 5 years) that employers support (but are not limited to) include: · A daycare center/nursery, whether on the work site or in a near-site location, managed by an employer or an external daycare provider / non-governmental organization. The nursery may belong to the private or public sector, a partnership between the public and private sectors, or a partnership with other employers for a joint daycare center. · Community based arrangement near employees’ homes. · A childcare voucher to be used at the employee’s discretion (e.g. for home- based childcare). · Back-up or emergency care for children. · Afterschool and / or during school holidays and / or extended hours sponsorship (early, late, nights, and/or weekends). · Childcare resources, referral service for parents. 19. What is the status of your organization’s childcare support provision? Refer to definition of employer-supported childcare provided above.  Childcare support in  No childcare support in place (go to Q.20) place (go to Section 2A) 20. Are you or would you be willing to provide childcare support to your employees?  Yes (go to Section 2B)  No (go to  Possibly (go to Section 2C) Section 2C) Section 2A: Respondents Providing Childcare Support - This section is for respondents who answered that they have a childcare solution in place. (Q. 19, option 1) 20. You indicated that your organization or work site currently provides support to meet the childcare needs of your employees. What were your organization’s primary motivations for offering childcare support? (Select up to three options)  Attracting talent  Employee  Employee productivity retention  Employee  Enhancing company reputation absenteeism  Don’t know  Other, please specify……………… 21. What does your childcare support entail? (Select all that apply) Do not read answers  An on-site daycare  An on-site daycare center operated by an  A near-site center in center operated by external daycare provider / NGO partnership with an your organization established daycare provider (tie-up)  A community-based  Partnerships with other employers in proximity  A childcare allowance arrangement near for a shared daycare center arrangement or subsidy provided to employees’ homes (consortium) employees for use in a childcare center of their choice  A partnership with  A center that provides afterschool programs  A center for extended the public sector (for and/or programs during school holidays hours care (early, example the Ministry late, nights, and/or of Social Affairs…) weekends)  Other please specify ______________ 132 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 22. What percentage of daycare center usage fees does your organization cover for employees? Do not read answers  Pay 100 % of daycare  Pay more than 50% but less than 100% of  Pay less than 50% center usage fees usage fees (go to Q.23 A) of usage fees (go to for employees (go to Q.23 A) Q.23 A)  It differs from one  Does  Don’t know (go to Q.24)  Other please specify employee to the next not offer ______________ (go to Q.23 B) financial support (go to Q.24) 23. What is the cost for your organization of childcare support per child in L.L. per month? A. Fixed cost Please enter amount (leave blank if you do not …….LL know) B. Sliding scale, enter minimum to maximum amount (leave From Minimum…….LL blank if do not know) To Maximum……..LL 24. Is your childcare support available to the children of male and female employees? Do not read answers  Yes, childcare support is available to both male and  No, childcare support is available to female female employees employees only  Yes, childcare support is available to the children of the  Don’t know employee providing NSSF coverage to their children (of either sex) 25. How many employees approximately are currently using the company-sponsored childcare support? (Leave blank if you do not know) Total number of employees using childcare support Number of male employees using childcare support 26. Has offering support to meet the childcare needs of your employees positively impacted your organization in the following areas? (Select all that apply) Yes No, but I expect No Don’t know it to Attracting and retaining talent     Reducing employee absences     Employees report improvements in their work-     life balance Increased employees’ sense of belonging to the     workplace Increasing organizational profitability     27. What challenges have you faced in providing day care support during the Covid-19 pandemic? Do not read answers  Company can no  Employees cannot  Employees withdrew children from longer afford to afford to pay daycare because of health-related provide previous contributions to daycare Covid-19 fears/risks daycare support support  Lockdown and other  Employees are unwilling  No challenges Covid-19 measures to contribute to daycare closed daycare support when facilities facilities for extended are closed for extended periods periods of time  Don’t know Other, specify  Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 133 28. Do you know why parents of eligible children are not using your childcare support? (Select all that apply) Do not read answers  Non-users prefer  Daycare  Daycare facility location is not other childcare facility hours convenient arrangements are not convenient  Daycare facility  Daycare  Don’t know is full/no spaces service more available expensive than alternative options Other please specify ______________ Please Go To Section 3 Section 2B: Respondents Planning to Provide Childcare Facilities This section is only for respondents who answered that they are in the process of planning/preparing to offer childcare support to their employees, but have not started to do so yet. (Q. 20, option 1) You indicated that you are in the process of exploring, planning, or developing support to your employees’ childcare needs. What are you considering? (Select all that apply) Do not read answers  An on-site daycare  An on-site  A near-site center in partnership center operated by daycare with an established daycare provider your organization center (tie-up) operated by an external daycare provider / NGO  A community-based  Partnerships  A childcare allowance or subsidy arrangement near with other provided to employees for use in a employees’ homes employers childcare center of their choice in proximity for a shared daycare center arrangement (consortium)  A partnership with  A center that  A center for extended hours care the public sector (for provides (early, late, nights, and/or weekends) example the Ministry afterschool of Social Affairs…) programs and/or programs during school holidays  Don’t know Other please specify ______________ 21. What do you expect would be the cost for your organization of childcare per child in L.L. per month? Please enter amount (leave blank if you do not know) 22. How does your organization plan to support employees with childcare costs at your work site? Do not read answers  Pay 100 % of daycare  Pay more  Pay less than 50% of usage fees center usage fees for than 50% employees but less than 100% of usage fees  Does not offer  Don’t know Other please specify ______________ financial support 134 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY 23. Are there existing quality, affordable daycare centers near your work site?  Yes  No  Don’t know 24. Did you encounter any of the following challenges? Select all that apply  Financial (go to Q.26) Legal/  Provision related  Did not encounter  Regulatory (go to Q.28) any challenges (go to (go to Q.27) Q.29) 26. Which of the following financial challenges, if any, have you encountered as you explore, plan for and/or develop a solution to help meet the childcare needs of your employees? (Select all that apply)  Set up costs  Childcare  Additional administrative costs to the (infrastructure) for center’s organization an on-site daycare operating center costs  Cost of subsidizing  Other please specify ______________ the service 27. Which of the following, if any, legal/regulatory challenges have you encountered as you explore, plan for, and/or develop a solution to help meet the childcare needs of your employees? (Select all that apply)  Lack of clarity on  Lack of  Lack of clarity on license application, minimum operations clarity on the processing times and/or costs standards, including organization’s minimum standards liability of quality childcare related to the care of children in the daycare center  Lack of clarity on Covid-19 related safety and health  Lack of clarity on implications on regulations liability related to supporting care of children in relation to Covid-19 pandemic  Have not encountered any of these challenges  Other please specify ______________ 28. Which of the following provision-related challenges have you encountered as you explore, plan for, and/or develop a solution to help meet the childcare needs of your employees? (Select all that apply)  Identifying existing  Finding a  Finding an existing daycare center quality, affordable childcare that matches employees’ work hours and conveniently provider to located daycare manage/ centers run your organization’s daycare center Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 135  Lack of space to build  Nature of  Creating and administering a childcare an on-site daycare work at site voucher program center causes safety concerns for an on-site daycare center  Including all  Have not  Other please specify ______________ qualifying children encountered any of these challenges 29. What resources have you found to be most helpful while preparing to offer / offering childcare solutions to your employees? (Select all that apply)  Talking to other  Reading  Talking to childcare providers employers that case studies already offer and other childcare solutions materials about employer- supported childcare solutions  Accessing Other please specify ______________ international guidelines and resources to support implementation Please Go To Section 3 Section 2C: Respondents Not Planning to Provide a Childcare Solution This section is for respondents who do not have plans to offer a childcare solution. (Q. 20, option 2 and 3) 21. What are the top reasons why your organization is not planning to provide childcare support to your employees? (Select all that apply) Do not read answers  Provision related challenges (go  Case for employee retention is not pressing  Number of to Q.24) in light of high unemployment & low labor employees is demand too small to justify measure to support childcare  Private companies provide  Expected financial cost of childcare support is  The impact employees’ children with support too high (go to Q.22) of the crises stipulated by NSSF laws (Economic & Covid-19) has made any new expenditure unaffordable  Lack of support among company’s  No demand from employees for childcare  Feel do not leadership support have the administrative and technical competence to do so 136 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY  Legal and regulatory related  The company  Do not know  Other please challenges (go to Q.23) does not intend specify to assume ______________ responsibility (go to Q.25) 22. Which of the following financial challenges, if any, have prevented your organization from offering childcare support to your employees? (Select all that apply)  Set up costs (infrastructure) for an on-  Childcare center’s operating  Additional administrative site daycare center costs costs to the organization  Cost of subsidizing the service Other please specify ______________ 23. Which of the following, if any, legal / regulatory challenges have prevented planning for a daycare? (Select all that apply)  Lack of clarity on minimum operations  Lack of clarity on the  Lack of clarity on license standards, including minimum organization’s liability related application, processing standards of quality childcare to the care of children in the times and/or costs daycare center  Lack of clarity on Covid-19 related safety and health regulations  Lack of clarity on implications on liability related to supporting care of children in relation to Covid-19 pandemic  Have not encountered any of these challenges  Other please specify ______________ Other please specify ______________ 24. Which of the following provision-related challenges have prevented planning for a daycare? (Select all that apply)  Identifying existing quality, affordable  Finding a childcare provider  Finding an existing and conveniently located daycare to manage / run your daycare center that centers organization’s daycare center matches employees’ work hours  Lack of space to build an on-site  Nature of work at site causes  Creating and daycare center safety concerns for an on-site administering a childcare daycare center voucher program  Including all qualifying children  Have not encountered any of  Other please specify these challenges ______________ 25. Which of the following resources, if any, would help your organization offer a solution to help meet the childcare needs of your employees? (Select all that apply)  Financial support to help offset the cost  Guidance to help with planning  Guidance to help choose an of planning and setting up a daycare a childcare solution external daycare service center or another solution provider  An enabling policy environment specific  Guidance on the characteristics  Guidelines on daycare to childcare facility requirements of high-quality care center standards  A directory of existing daycare centers  Making an accurate estimate  Information on liability of of workforce future daycare providing a daycare center center demand  Higher number of companies providing  Not applicable  Other please specify childcare support would encourage the ______________ company to also offer it Please Go To Section 3 Section 3: All Respondents (Feedback). This section is for all respondents regardless of their previous responses. 29. (if 2A) or 30. (if 2B) or 26. (if 2C) Have you solicited or received feedback from employees on their needs and / or preferences for a solution to help meet their childcare needs?  Yes  No (End survey)  Solicited but did not receive any feedback (End survey) Annex 6. Questionnaires Childcare Providers Questionnaire 137  Don’t know (End survey) 30. (if 2A) or 31. (if 2B) or 27. (if 2C) If you answered “Yes” to previous question, how did you receive the feedback? (Select all that apply) Do not read answers  Employee survey, (go to Q.31)  One-on-one conversations -  Employee focus groups HR-led (End survey) (End survey)  One-on-one conversations during the  One-on-one conversations -  One-on-one conversation time parental leave was discussed (End Manager-led (End survey) during new hire onboarding survey) (End survey) Other please specify ______________ 31. (if 2A) or 32. (if 2B) or 28. (if 2C) If employee survey conducted: Specify when last survey conducted……….(year) 32. (if 2A) or 33. (if 2B) or 29. (if 2C) Based on feedback from your employee survey, focus groups and / or conversations, what was the preferred childcare arrangement? (Please select up to 3)  On-site daycare center  Care by a non-family member  Near-site daycare center in their home (e.g., nanny, housekeeper, etc.)  Care by non-family member in the  Daycare center located near  Partnering up with an community employees’ home external daycare service provider  Care by family member in their  No preference  Not applicable hometown/ village (in cases where employees have left the child with family) Other please specify ______________ 138 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY ANNEX 7. PROFILES OF SURVEYED BUSINESSES Worksite Location The 100 businesses surveyed in this sample were distributed across Mount Lebanon (72 percent), Beirut (24 percent), Nabatiyeh-South (2 percent), Beqaa (1 percent), and North (1 percent). Almost half of the companies in Mount Lebanon are in El Metn caza. The majority of respondents were female (71 percent). Slightly more than half were human resource professionals (53 percent) while 32 percent were in upper management and directorial positions. Out of the surveyed upper management positions (vice president, senior manager, director, and manager), almost half were occupied by female respondents. Economic sectors The key industries were the wholesale and retail trade (38 percent) and manufacturing (36 percent) together representing 74 percent of the total sample. The remaining 26 percent were divided across several sectors of economic activity including health and social activities (5 percent), professional, scientific, and technical activities (5 percent), construction (4 percent), accommodation and food service activities (3 percent), financial and insurance activities (3 percent), information and communication (3 percent), transportation and storage (2 percent), and real estate activities (1 percent). Firm Size (number of employee) Businesses were categorized by size according to the number of people employed (Table A1). Half of the sample is comprised of small enterprises, 33 percent large, and 17 percent medium sized. Micro sized companies were excluded from the scope of this study as they typically employ a lower number of employees and as such have a lower demand for childcare services. To ensure the experience of at least a few companies that do provide childcare solutions is captured, the sample targeted a higher percentage of medium (17 percent) and large firms (33 percent) than national averages of company sizes across Lebanon (4-6 percent and 5-7 percent respectively). TABLE A7. 1. THE DISTRIBUTION OF CATI BUSINESS SURVEY EMPLOYERS ACCORDING TO SIZE Number of Companies Percentage of total National percentages Size category Number of employees in Sample sample size of company sizes[1] Small 10 to 50 50 50% 34% Medium 51 to 100 17 17% 4-6 % Large 101 to 1701 33 33% 5-7 % [1] Ministry of Economy and Trade & United Nations Development Programme, 2014. The remaining 53-55% are micro sized companies. Overall, the surveyed companies employed nearly twice as many men (68 percent) as women (32 percent). Mothers comprised 29.2 percent of working parents with young children aged 0-5 years old (Figure A7.1 and A7.2). The most recent national labor survey showed a relatively comparable rate of female labor force participation of 29.3 percent.123 123 Central Administration for Statistics in Lebanon & International Labor Organization, 2019. Annex 7. Profiles of Surveyed Businesses 139 FIGURE A7.1. DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYEES FIGURE A7.2. DISTRIBUTION OF WORKING BY GENDER PARENTS BY GENDER EMPLOYEES BY SEX EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN 0-5 YEARS 32% 29% 68% 71% Male employees Female employees Male employees Female employees Overall, it was seen there is little differentiation between male and female employment by size of company and number of working sites (Table A7.2). The majority of women and men worked in large companies at proportionally equivalent levels (84 percent). In a similar vein, the majority of both men (62.2 percent) and women (61.8 percent) worked for companies with multiple sites. It should be borne in mind that large companies comprised a third (33 percent) of the sample. Under 10 percent of both women and men worked for small enterprises as well as for medium sized companies. TABLE A7.2. MALE AND FEMALE EMPLOYMENT BY COMPANY SIZE AND WORKSITES Employees by company size (% by column) Employees by gender and number of firms’ worksites Company Males with Females with Males Females (% by column) size 0-5 children 0-5 children Small 9% 6% 16% 14% Worksite Males Females Medium 7% 10% 6% 24% Single 38% 38% Large 84% 84% 78% 62% Multiple 62% 62% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% Total 100% 100% The only notable divergence was that a near quarter of working mothers (23.9 percent) with young children (0-5 years) were employed by medium sized companies compared to just 5.8 percent of fathers with children of a similar age. On further examination of the workforce distribution of surveyed firms, the highest female to male share was found in medium sized companies operating from multiples worksites (48 percent). However, this was coupled with the lowest share of employees with children aged 0-5 years (3 percent) (Table A7.3). 140 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE A7.3. PERCENTAGES OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN 0-5 BY COMPANY SIZE, WORKSITE, AND GENDER Employees (% by row) Employees with children 0-5 years old Company Company size Worksite Males (% of male Females (% of TOTAL (% of total Males Females employees) female employees) employees) Small Multiple 64% 36% 12% 9% 11% (n=50) Single 74% 27% 11% 13% 14% Medium Multiple 52% 48% 3% 3% 3% (n=17) Single 58% 42% 7% 17% 11% Large Multiple 63% 37% 6% 2% 4% (n=33) Single 60% 40% 9% 6% 8% Total All sites 62% 38% 7% 5% 6% In comparison, medium sized firms with one single worksite had the highest share of mothers with young children (17 percent), compared with all other size and site combinations. In small and large enterprises, the share of working mothers and fathers with children 0-5 years was more comparable. For example, it can be seen that 2 percent of these mothers and 6 percent of these fathers worked for large companies with multiple sites. The aggregate number of female employees in the companies of the entire sample is 6,081 and concentrated in wholesale and retail and trade (33 percent) and manufacturing (29 percent) in line with the key industries represented in this sample. Although only 5 percent of businesses in this sample operates in the health and social work activities sector, it disproportionally employs 23 percent (1,373) of the total number of female employees at locations in Beirut, Sidon, and Keserwan. This is followed by the financial and insurance sector and accommodation and food services employing 11 percent (694) and 1.4 percent (84) women, respectively (Table A7.4). Overall, four of the five top employment sectors for women were service oriented economic activities. TABLE A7.4. TOTAL NUMBER OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES IN ALL OF THE SAMPLED COMPANIES BY ECONOMIC SECTOR AND CAZA               Caza Number of Female Employees El Beirut Keserwan Sidon Baabda Aley Chouf Zahle Jbeil Batroun Nabatie Total Economic sector Metn Wholesale and retail 1,070 589 55 - 240 - 41 - - - - 1,995 trade Manufacturing 89 640 756 - 15 120 74 33 - 8 3 1,738 Human health and 618 300 - 455 - - - - - - - 1,373 social work activities Financial and 580 114 - - - - - - - - - 694 insurance activities Accommodation and 60 4 - - - - - - 20 - - 84 food service activities Information and 74 - - - 2 - - - - - - 76 communication Real estate activities - 45 - - - - - - - - - 45 Transportation and 20 10 - - - - - - - - - 30 storage Professional, scientific and technical 4 21 - - - - - - - - - 25 activities Construction 20 1 - - - - - - - - - 21 Total 2,535 1,724 811 455 257 120 115 33 20 8 3 6,081 Annex 7. Profiles of Surveyed Businesses 141 TABLE A7.5. FEMALE EMPLOYEES IN ALL OF THE SAMPLED COMPANIES BY ECONOMIC SECTOR AND CAZA (%) Economic sector Beirut El Metn Keserwan Sidon Baabda Aley Chouf Zahle Jbeil Batroun Nabatie Total Wholesale and 42.20% 34.20% 6.80% - 94.20% - 35.70% - - - - 32.80% retail trade Manufacturing 3.50% 37.105 93.20% - 5.805 100% 64.30% 100% - 100% 100% 28.60% Human health and social work 24.40% 17.40% - 100% - - - - - - - 22.60% activities Financial and insurance 22.90% 6.60% - - - - - - - - - 11.40% activities Accommodation and food service 2.40% 0.20% - - - - - - 100% - - 1.40% activities Information and 2.90% - - -   - - - - - - 1.20% communication Real estate - 2.60% - - - - - - - - - 0.70% activities Transportation 0.80% 0.60% - - - - - - - - - 0.50% and storage Professional, scientific and 0.20% 1.20% - - - - - - - - - 0.40% technical activities Construction 0.80% 0.10% - - - - - - - - - 0.30% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% The two-leading female employers were large scale single site medical centers situated in the urban centers of Sidon (455 / 7.5 percent) and Beirut (450 / 7.4 percent) respectively. This was closely followed by the two large multiple sites companies, a food manufacturer (425 / 6.9 percent) and a financial and insurance company (420 / 6.8 percent) employing near equivalent numbers (Figure A7.3). There is a marked, almost 50 percent drop in the number of females employed between the medical center in Beirut and third top single site employers of female employees, a fast-moving consumer goods retail company (FMCG), in El Metn (320 / 5.2 percent). This would seem to confirm that economic activity as well as company size, have a bearing on female employment. FIGURE A7.3. EMPLOYERS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES BY NUMBER OF FIRMS´ WORKSITES Gas wholesale and retail trade (Beirut) WORKSITES MULTIPLE Financial and insurance activities (Beirut) Food manufacturer (Keserwan) FMCG Wholesale and retail trade (El Metn) WORKSITE SINGLE Medical Center (Beirut) Medical Center (Sidon) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 142 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY TABLE A7.6. FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES WITH CHILDREN 0-5 YEARS IN MULTIPLE AND SPECIFIC WORKSITES BY PROVISION OF CHILDCARE SUPPORT STATUS AND GENDER Employees (% by row) Employees with children 0-5 years old Childcare Worksite Males (% of male Females (% of TOTAL (% of total Status Males Females TOTAL employees) female employees) employees) Not Willing to Multiple 3371 (65%) 1847 (35%) 5218 311 (9%) 42 (2%) 353 (7%) Provide (n=80) Single 3179 (60%) 2113 (40%) 5292 308 (10%) 183 (9%) 491 (9%) Possibly Multiple 2363 (64%) 1353 (36%) 3716 28 (1%) 24 (1%) 52 (1%) willing to provide Single 347 (74%) 123 (26%) 470 49 (14%) 9 (7%) 58 (12%) (n=15) In Place Multiple 484 (47%) 556 (53%) 1040 14 (3%) 30 (5%) 44 (4%) (n=5) Single 255 (74%) 89 (26%) 344 11 (4%) 9 (10%) 20 (6%) 9999 Total All sites 6081 (38%) 16080 721 (7%) 297 (5%) 1018 (6%) (62%) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) • HR Managers of two large private sector companies operating in the manufacturing and health services sector • Managers of the CCIA-BML and that of Sidon and the South (CCIA-S) • Heads of the ‘Syndicate of Nursery Owners’ and the ‘Syndicate of Specialized Nurseries’ in Lebanon and a large nursery situated in Mount Lebanon • Heads of departments relevant to early childhood education (ECE) at the Ministry of Education (MEHE), Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Female Employment in Lebanon According to the Labor Force and Household Living Conditions survey (2018-2019), the three economic activity sectors where most women in Lebanon are concentrated are “activities of households as employers” (24 percent), education (21 percent) and wholesale and retail trade (15 percent). TABLE A7.7. PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYED (AGED 15 YEARS AND ABOVE) BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SECTOR AND SEX, LEBANON, 2018 Economic activity sector Women Men Women & Men Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and 23.7% 0.8% 7.8% services-producing activities of households for own use Education 20.5% 3.4% 8.6% Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 14.5% 22.2% 19.8% Human health and social work activities 8.8% 2.4% 4.4% Manufacturing 5.8% 13.1% 10.9% Professional, scientific and technical activities 4.2% 3.5% 3.8% Public administration and defense 4.2% 12.4% 9.9% Other service activities 4.1% 2.9% 3.2% Financial and insurance activities 3.6% 1.9% 2.5% Accommodation and food service activities 2.2% 5.3% 4.4% Annex 7. Profiles of Surveyed Businesses 143 Economic activity sector Women Men Women & Men Administrative and support service activities 1.7% 3.7% 3.1% Information and communication 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% Agriculture, forestry and fishing 1.5% 4.4% 3.6% Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies 0.9% 0.5% 0.6% Construction 0.7% 12.4% 8.9% Transportation and storage 0.7% 6.8% 4.9% Arts, entertainment and recreation 0.7% 0.9% 0.8% Real estate activities 0.2% 0.4% 0.4% Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 0.1% 0.6% 0.4% No response 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 0.0% 0.4% 0.3% Mining and quarrying 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 100% 100% 100% Source: LFHLCS 2018_2019 (http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php/demographic-and-social-en/laborforce-en) In three sectors, women comprise more than 50 percent of the workforce. These sectors are “activities of household as employers” (93 percent), education (72 percent) and human health and social work (61 percent). In fourth place comes financial and insurance activities (45 percent) and activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies (45 percent). In the two main sectors sampled for this survey, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing, women represent 22 percent and 16 percent of the workforces respectively. TABLE A7.8. DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYED WOMEN AND MEN (AGED 15 YEARS AND ABOVE) ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SECTOR AND SEX, LEBANON, 2018 (%) Economic activity sector Women Men Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and services-producing activities of 93% 7% households for own use Education 72% 28% Human health and social work activities 61% 39% Financial and insurance activities 45% 55% Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies 45% 55% Other service activities 39% 61% Professional, scientific and technical activities 34% 66% Information and communication 30% 70% No response 25% 75% Arts, entertainment and recreation 24% 76% Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 22% 78% Real estate activities 20% 80% Administrative and support service activities 17% 83% Manufacturing 16% 84% Accommodation and food service activities 15% 85% 144 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Economic activity sector Women Men Agriculture, forestry and fishing 13% 87% Public administration and defense; compulsory social security 13% 87% Mining and quarrying 11% 89% Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 5% 95% Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 5% 95% Transportation and storage 4% 96% Construction 3% 97% Total 30% 70% Source: LFHLCS 2018_2019 (http://www.cas.gov.lb/index.php/demographic-and-social-en/laborforce-en) Annex 7. Profiles of Surveyed Businesses 145 ANNEX 8. CONSTRUCTION OF SCORE OF STRUCTURAL QUALITY ELEMENTS The Checklist of (mostly) structural quality elements comprise a total of 69 questions. The total number of childcare providers used to compute the index is N = 285. The checklist score groups five main domains (sub- indexes) as follows: 1. Infrastructure sub-Index (28 questions) 2. Human resources sub-Index (12 questions) 3. Curriculum, materials, and learning sub-Index (9 questions) 4. Opportunities for parental involvement sub-Index (3 questions) 5. Safety and sanitary precautions sub-Index (17 questions) The first sub-index, infrastructure, includes indicators such as whether the space is in good repair and if there is no malodor in the classrooms. The second sub-index, HR quality, includes four indicators, including caregivers’ minimum credentials include higher school or university, and if a small group of children is primarily cared for by one designated staff member. The third sub-index, materials, curriculum, and learning, includes indicators related to whether children are served food and if there are any provisions for children with special needs. The fourth sub-index on parental involvement, checks whether the facility has systems in place for parents to provide/receive feedback as well as lines of center-parents communication. Finally, the sub-index on safety and sanitary protocols assesses availability of cleaning practices (e.g., hand washing, disinfecting surfaces) as well as safety precautions such as childproofing protocols. Most of the items were assessed through direct facility observation conducted by the enumerator, and some other items correspond to direct answers from the provider representative (and as such, may be subject to self-reporting bias). The proposed checklist of structural quality elements is loosely based on the ECERS-R and ITERS-R family of instruments but adjusted to focus specifically on care (rather than education). This family of instruments collects detailed information on center infrastructure, health and nutrition protocols, safety factors, the availability and accessibility of learning materials, the types of activities carried out during the day, etc. (López, Araujo & Tomé (2016), providing a menu of available tools for the measurement of the quality of childcare centers serving infants and toddlers ages 0 to 3 years). The checklist is also based on previous mixed methods studies on childcare supply conducted by the World Bank in Turkey, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus (see World Bank 2019; World Bank 2015). Since the detailed survey (CAPI) collection took place during a government-imposed closure for public providers, there is complete data to estimate the score for private and semi-private providers, but in the case of public ones some variables had to be excluded from the checklist. Each of the 5 sub-indexes is comprised of variables (see table below) where each takes a value between 0 and 1. The overall score is calculated using the principal component analysis (PCA) method. PCA is a variable reduction technique and is employed to get a single score out of many correlated variables to ease the interpretation of a number of variables. PCA is performed on each sub-index according to the steps below. Step 1: Each variable informing a sub-index is given a weight (PCA coefficient). Each principal component is the weighted linear combination of the variables. The first principal component explains the largest amount of variation in the data. 146 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Step 2: Multiply the value of each variable with its associated weight and aggregate the sum products of all variables to generate a sub-index score for each daycare center. Step 3: Based on the sub-index scores for each of the daycare centers in step 2, compute percentiles to standardize these scores between 0-100. Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 for each sub-index and an overall PCA is performed on the five sub-index scores. Percentiles are calculated for the overall quality index and each daycare center will have a score between 0 and 100. TABLE A8.1. ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE CHECKLIST Note: Items marked with (*) are mentioned (with explicit regulations or rather general guidelines) in Lebanese Decree No. 4876 which defines the terms of licensing. Human Curriculum, Opportunities Safety and Infras- resource materials, for parental sanitary Questions included tructure quality and learning involvement precautions quality index index quality index quality index quality index 1. Total indoor area m2 X 2. Indoor space per child allowed* X 3. There is an outdoor space X 4. Sufficient indoor space X 5. Indoor space is in good repair/clean/and well X maintained* 6. Lighting* X 7. Ventilation* X 8. No unpleasant odors X 9. Temperature control X 10. Accessible for disabled X 11. Room arranged for staff to view all children at x once 12. Sufficient child sized furniture* X 13. There are clean, appropriately sized toilets for X staff members* 14. Clean and appropriately sized toilets for potty- X trained children* 15. Items displayed at children’s eye level X 16. Facilities comfortable and nurturing X 17. Kitchen equipped for food preparation, sterilizing X milk & other utensils with large enough fridge* 18. Floors and rugs smooth and skid proof* X 19. Ground/1st floor building X 20. Total area not < 200 m2 X 21. Separate classes for different age groups* X 22. 1 movable bed per walking child* X 23. There is a separate dining area with child sized X Tables & chairs* Annex 8. Construction of score of structural quality elements 147 Human Curriculum, Opportunities Safety and Infras- resource materials, for parental sanitary Questions included tructure quality and learning involvement precautions quality index index quality index quality index quality index 24. Sleeping room for children under 1* X 25. Play area space* X 26. Play area easily accessible to children in groups X 27. Play area is generally safe with mats under X swings, fenced area, etc. 28. Sufficient materials for physical activity X 29. Teacher and assistant to child capacity ratio* X 30. Training for caregivers is available X 31. Caregiver performance evaluation X 32. New caregiver training is available X 33. Nursery have at least 1 nurse/nurse assistant* X 34. Caregivers or assistants less than 60-year-old X 35. Highest education degree: director has at least a bachelor’s degree or above in ECE, soc/ X psych/health sciences/business mgmt/economic sciences’* 36. Caregivers/administrative staff should at least X have BT* 37. At least one teacher on staff needs to have a X degree in education* 38. % Of caregivers (primary caregivers, assistants) having more than 5 years of experience in the X sector 39. % Of caregivers (primary caregivers, assistants) have a contract (regardless of temp, perm, X internship) 40. % Of caregivers (primary caregivers, assistants) having more than 2 years of experience in the X nursery 41. Are children served food? X 42. Is there an educational curriculum? X 43. In how many languages is the educational X curriculum taught? 44. Program or curriculum developed to ensure X children’s development 45. Organized and convenient storage for toys X 46. Toys clean and in good repair X 47. Selection of age-appropriate books/toys/ development enrichment materials like puzzles and X blocks 48. Age-appropriate materials for children’s active X play, such riding toys, shovels, and buckets) 49. Child discipline methods/style used in this x center? 148 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Human Curriculum, Opportunities Safety and Infras- resource materials, for parental sanitary Questions included tructure quality and learning involvement precautions quality index index quality index quality index quality index 50. Two-way feedback systems in place to give and X receive from parents 51. Communication with parents during COVID-19 X closures? 52. Opportunities for parental interaction X 53. Healthy hand washing habits encouraged with X children 54. Clean all surfaces with disinfectants regularly X 55. Medicines/ cleaning supplies/ other materials labeled “keep out of children’s reach” not accessible X to children 56. Thumbtacks/staples/scissors out of children’s X reach 57. Heavy furniture is anchored X 58. No drowning hazards X 59. Childproof doors and windows X 60. Stairway gates locked when children nearby X 61. Doorways to unsupervised or unsafe areas are X closed and locked unless used for emergency exits 62. Emergency exits are clearly marked and X identified 63. No storing explosive and flammable materials in X the same building 64. Walls and ceilings have no peeling paint w/o cracked or falling plaster & free of crumbling X asbestos 65. Safety covers on electric outlets X 66. Electric cords out of children’s reach X 67. No free-standing heaters in use X 68. Pipes, radiators, and other hot surfaces out of X reach 69. Sharp edges covered X TABLE A8.2. MEAN SCORE AND CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR QUALITY CHECKLIST, PRIVATE PROVIDERS 95% Confidence Interval for Mean Dimension Mean Std. Deviation Lower Bound Upper Bound Infrastructure 53.132 28.296 49.439 56.824 Safety and Sanitary precautions 52.604 24.625 49.390 55.817 Opportunities for parental involvement 52.578 28.747 48.826 56.329 Curriculum, materials, and learning 50.356 27.813 46.727 53.986 Human resources 47.738 27.469 44.153 51.322 Overall 49.005 27.951 45.358 52.653 Annex 8. Construction of score of structural quality elements 149 TABLE A8.3. MEAN SCORE IN EACH VARIABLE OF CHECKLIST, PRIVATE PROVIDERS Variable Private 1. Total indoor area m2 0.90 2. Indoor space per child allowed 1.00 3. There is an outdoor space 0.79 4. Sufficient indoor space 0.99 5. Indoor space is in good repair/clean/and well maintained 0.98 6. Adequate lighting 0.99 7. Adequate ventilation 1.00 8. No unpleasant odors 0.98 9. Adequate temperature control 0.99 10. Accessible for disabled 0.21 11. Room arranged for staff to view all children at once 0.99 12. Sufficient child sized furniture 1.00 13. There are clean, appropriately sized toilets for staff members 1.00 14. Clean and appropriately sized toilets for potty-trained children 0.99 15. Items displayed at children’s eye level 0.95 16. Facilities comfortable and nurturing 1.00 17. Kitchen equipped for food preparation, sterilizing milk & other utensils with large enough fridge 0.92 18. Floors and rugs smooth and skid proof 0.99 19. Ground/1 floor building st 0.97 20. Total area not < 200 m2 0.97 21. Separate classes for different age groups 0.92 22. 1 movable bed per walking child 0.87 23. There is a separate dining area with child sized tables & chairs 0.93 24. Sleeping room for children under 1 0.72 25. Play area space 0.97 26. Play area easily accessible to children in groups 0.96 27. Play area is generally safe with mats under swings, fenced area, etc. 0.96 28. Sufficient materials for physical activity 0.96 29. Teacher and assistant to child capacity ratio 0.56 30. Trained caregivers 0.52 31. Caregiver performance evaluation 0.93 32. New caregiver training 0.73 33. Nursery have at least 1 nurse/nurse assistant 0.72 34. Caregivers or assistants less than 60-year-old 0.99 35. Director has at least a bachelor degree or above in ECE, soc/psych/health sciences/ of business mgmt/ 0.13 economic sciences 36. Caregivers/administrative staff should at least have BT 0.98 37. At least one teacher on staff needs to have a degree in education 0.97 150 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE IN LEBANON: A MIXED METHOD STUDY Variable Private 38. % of caregivers (primary caregivers, assistants) having more than 5 years of experience in the sector 0.42 39. % of caregivers (primary caregivers, assistants) have a contract (regardless of temp, perm, internship) 0.71 40. % of caregivers (primary caregivers, assistants) having more than 2 years of experience in the nursery 0.82 41. Are children served food? 0.98 42. Is there an educational curriculum? 0.87 43. In how many languages is the educational curriculum taught? 0.85 44. Program or curriculum developed to ensure children’s development 0.64 45. Organized and convenient storage for toys 1.00 46. Toys clean and in good repair 1.00 47. Selection of age-appropriate books/toys/development enrichment materials like puzzles and blocks 1.00 48. Age-appropriate materials for children’s active play, such riding toys, shovels, and buckets) 1.00 49. Child discipline methods/style used in this center? 0.61 50. Two-way feedback systems in place to give and receive from parents 0.31 51. Communication with parents during COVID-19 closures? 0.28 52. Opportunities for parental interaction 0.10 53. Healthy hand washing habits encouraged with children 0.90 54. Clean all surfaces with disinfectants regularly 0.96 55. Medicines/ cleaning supplies/ other materials labeled “keep out of children’s reach” not accessible to children 1.00 56. Thumbtacks/staples/scissors out of children’s reach 1.00 57. Heavy furniture is anchored 1.00 58. No drowning hazards 0.98 59. Childproof doors and windows 1.00 60. Stairway gates locked when children nearby 1.00 61. Doorways to unsupervised or unsafe areas are closed and locked unless used for emergency exits 0.96 62. Emergency exits are clearly marked and identified 0.89 63. No storing explosive and flammable materials in the same building 0.95 64. Walls and ceilings have no peeling paint w/o cracked or falling plaster & free of crumbling asbestos 0.99 65. Safety covers on electric outlets 0.98 66. Electric cords out of children’s reach 1.00 67. No free-standing heaters in use 0.97 68. Pipes, radiators, and other hot surfaces out of reach 0.99 69. Sharp edges covered 0.99 Annex 8. Construction of score of structural quality elements 151