Publication:
Childcare Arrangements for Low-Income Families: Evidence from Low and Middle-Income Countries

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2022-12
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2023-04-20
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Currimjee, Alisa
Lima, Jem Heinzel-Nelson Alvarenga
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Abstract
This study reviews options of childcare and early learning arrangements in developing countries, focusing on innovative options for public and nonstate provision that fit the needs and constraints of low-income families. It discusses both home-based care (provided in a home setting) and center-based care (nurseries, crèches, daycares or sometimes preschools) through various country examples and four in-depth case studies (from Colombia, Kenya, India, and Liberia). This comparative analysis shows that a wide range of provision models are leveraged to meet the demand for childcare in low- and middle-income countries and that intentional policy initiatives can promote positive social norms towards early childhood services and women’s economic empowerment. Yet, benefits to children and families depend on the quality of services and the wider enabling environment thy operate in.
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Currimjee, Alisa; Lima, Jem Heinzel-Nelson Alvarenga; Troiano, Sara. 2022. Childcare Arrangements for Low-Income Families: Evidence from Low and Middle-Income Countries. Social Protection and Jobs Discussion Papers; 2214. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/39717 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.
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