Caregivers interact with children at a childcare centre in Baiyin, northwest China’s Gansu Province on July 14, 2026. – Xinhua photo
BEIJING (Oct 2): As demand for formal childcare continues to grow among Chinese families, young parents are looking for more affordable, convenient and trustworthy services.
China’s National Health Commission (NHC) has said efforts are under way to make childcare more accessible, affordable and quality-assured.
The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) calls for faster development of affordable childcare, including more publicly provided places and a wider range of services.
For many families, the first hurdle is price. In 2023, childcare cost an average of 1,978 yuan (about US$293) per child a month nationwide, excluding meals. In first-tier cities, monthly fees topped 5,500 yuan, pricing out many families.
