Publication: Better Jobs and Brighter Futures: Investing in Childcare to Build Human Capital
Date
2020-12
ISSN
Published
2020-12
Author(s)
Devercelli, Amanda E.
Beaton-Day, Frances
Abstract
In this paper, the authors present the
evidence on why childcare matters for building human
capital, look at the current status of childcare provision
worldwide, including an estimate of the global gaps in
access, and present specific actions countries can take to
expand access to quality, affordable childcare for all
families that need it, especially the most vulnerable. This
paper was originally drafted prior to the Coronavirus 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic and has been updated to include new
content, taking into account the unique challenges that the
COVID-19 pandemic poses for families, children, governments,
and the childcare industry, as well as the importance of
investing in childcare to drive countries’ economic
recovery. In section one the authors make the case for why
childcare matters for building human capital and how it
relates to a web of diverse issues that include women’s
employment, family welfare, child development, business
productivity, and the overall economy. In section two, the
authors present the scope of the challenge worldwide, with
projections of the unmet need for quality childcare and,
ultimately, the size of the market opportunity. In section
three the authors suggest five policy goals that all
governments should work toward to ensure affordable, quality
childcare for those families that need it. In section four,
the authors lay out an agenda to better leverage existing
resources and cross-sectoral opportunities, support
country-level processes, and expand the research agenda.
Detailed annexes are included at the end of the paper, which
include additional research, guidance for countries, and
specific policy and country examples that may be helpful in
policy dialogue. These annexes can be used as standalone
resources to go into more depth on specific topics.
Citation
“Devercelli, Amanda E.; Beaton-Day, Frances. 2020. Better Jobs and Brighter Futures: Investing in Childcare to Build Human Capital. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35062 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”