China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will examine a draft law on childcare services during its 19th session running from December 22 to 27 in Beijing.
The draft law represents a major policy shift as China confronts mounting pressure to boost its declining birthrate and build a more comprehensive system for supporting families with young children. The Standing Committee, which serves as China's top legislative body, will conduct the first reading of the draft during this session, marking an important milestone in transforming childcare into a legal and institutional framework.
China Law on Childcare Services
This legislative push follows several government initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden on families. In July 2025, China launched its first national childcare subsidy program, providing 3,600 yuan annually per child under three years old, according to the Global Times. The central government allocated approximately 90 billion yuan for the subsidy program in 2025, signaling a strong commitment to supporting parents.
The timing of the draft law review comes as China has made significant progress in expanding childcare capacity. According to recent government data, China has surpassed its 14th Five-Year Plan goal ahead of schedule, providing more than 4.7 childcare places per 1,000 people as of October 2025. The number of childcare institutions has more than doubled since 2020, growing from 50,000 to over 126,000 facilities nationwide.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The proportion of affordable inclusive childcare services approaches 50 percent, but many facilities operate below capacity, China Daily reported. The enrollment rate stands at approximately 12 percent despite about 35 percent of families expressing interest in childcare services, indicating a gap between supply and demand. Rural areas particularly face shortages of accessible and affordable childcare options.
A Shift in Policy
Government researchers have recommended increasing the enrollment rate to above 20 percent and improving utilization rates to 70 percent during the 15th Five-Year Plan period spanning 2025 to 2030. The draft law is expected to address these gaps by establishing clearer standards for childcare services, improving accessibility, and strengthening regulatory frameworks.
The Standing Committee's December session will include several other legislative items on its agenda, including an environmental code and revisions to the foreign trade law. The outcome of the first reading on the childcare services draft law will inform subsequent revisions before lawmakers potentially vote on the measure in future sessions, as per China.
