What Childcare Looks Like In Different Countries Around The World

Have you ever wondered what childcare looks like in different countries around the world? Do you think we pay too much for our childcare here in the UK? In this post, we take a look at childcare in five different countries across the globe. Which of these countries do you think has the best childcare? 

1. USA

Kindergarten childcare

According to research from Care.com and New America back in 2016, the average cost of enrolling a child aged four or younger into full-time care in the US is approximately $9,589 per year (approx. £7,227).

Compare that to the UK where the average nursery place for a 2-year-old costs £113 a week for 25 hours (totalling up to £5,876 a year). 

Not only is the high cost an issue in the states, the availability of childcare is also a big problem for America. One report by Centre for American Progress stated that a hefty 42% of US children under the age of five live in areas where there is a scarce supply of childcare centres. This means that even if one could afford childcare, the closest centres may be too far for a family. 

 Related course: Level 1 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce

2. Kenya

The World Policy Journal gave us an inside look at a home-base child care centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The childcare centre is situated inside a woman's home, which is a mud shack. On a regular day, the home-based childcare centre looks after more than two dozen children. 

The mud shack childcare home is a community solution. Unfortunately, at this time of writing, childcare has not been addressed by the Kenyan government so home-based organisations are all dwellers can currently rely on. 

Related course: Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce (RQF)

3. France

happy child thrown in the air

Luckily for the residents of France, the French government provides affordable municipal childcare, tax breaks to families who employ in-home childcare workers and universal free preschool from the age of 3. Their government-run childcare centres are open from 7.30am to 8pm and charge an hourly rate based on a family's income.  

Also, similar to the UK, child are workers in France must hold an accredited qualification in order to work with children without supervision.

Related course: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for the Children and Young People's Workforce - Early Years (Management) (QCF)

4. Japan

toddler

The process of looking for a childcare centre in Japan is known as “Hokatsu”.

It involves parents going through a point system to look for a certified centre where parents are ranked by employment, marital status, health and income.

The system itself is quite unfair. A report in Japan Times mentioned that a single mother had to leave her part-time job as a photographer just to earn more points and guarantee a place for her 8-month-old daughter. That just shows how competitive it is to find child care in Japan. 

Whilst Japan's population has been declining, the number of children waiting for childcare is showing no sign of decline in recent years. This is mainly due to rise of working parents caused by decades of economic stagnation. As of April 2015, over 23,000 children were not able to get child care. 

Related course: Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People's Workforce (RQF)

5. Canada

child with Canadian flag

In a 2015 report released by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the median monthly cost to put an infant into full-time care in the Greater Toronto area is $1,750 (approx. £1,017) which adds up to an annual median cost of $21,000 per year (approx. £12,204).

One reason why the cost is so high is that there is a lack of availability. But there is hope. In 2017, the Canadian government announced to pledge $7.5 billion over 11 years to create 40,000 childcare spaces right across Canada. Whether this will be enough, only time will tell.

Related course: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) (QCF)

Are We Better Off In the UK Compared To Other Countries?

Well, by cost, yes. As mentioned earlier in this article, the average annual childcare cost for a 2-year-old approximately totals up to £5,876. Comparing this to childcare in the US and Canada, we are better off. And similar to France, child care workers must hold an accredited qualification before being able to look after children without supervision.

Related course: Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (QCF)

Which country offers the best childcare system? That's completely subjective. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Interested in a Career in Childcare?

If you would like to pursue a career in childcare, then The Learning Station can help. We're a London-based training provider that teaches the following accredited childcare courses. All our courses are taught through online distance learning. That means you get to study at your own pace in your own time.

Related course: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (England) (QCF)

We've helped many individuals take their first step to a highly rewarding career in the childcare sector. For more information, please get in touch via our contact us page or call us on 020 8342 7210.

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