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Childcare

Childcare is an important means of raising the labour participation rate of women. Several incentive measures have increased the availability of childcare services enormously (day nurseries, out of school childcare, childminding services). Has the use of these provisions also increased, or do parents prefer to look after their children themselves?

Users of childcare
SCP studies the consequences of trends in the availability of childcare. The research focuses on two themes: the opinions of users (children and parents) and the demand for childcare facilities. For example, SCP determines which factors influence the use of childcare, and what demands parents and children place on out-of-school childcare. In addition, SCP uses models to forecast demand for childcare now and in the future.

Cause for concern?
SCP is concerned with the choices that parents make about childcare, something about which research shows that many parents have concerns. Whether those concerns are justified is something that is studied by the Netherlands Consortium for Childcare Research (NCKO). NCKO also monitors the quality of childcare services.

Research at SCP
The Emancipation, Youth & Family research group carries out research on the use of and demand for childcare, in collaboration with the Public Services Sector research group. You will find information on recent research and publications via the links to these research groups.

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