呵护婴幼儿群体！我国拟立法促进规范托育服务

Core Viewpoint - The draft of the Childcare Services Law was submitted for its first review, aiming to protect the rights of children under three years old and alleviate parental anxiety regarding childcare [1][5]. Group 1: Legislative Framework - The draft consists of 8 chapters and 76 articles, focusing on the health and growth of infants and toddlers, serving as both a promotion and protection law for their rights [1][5]. - The law aims to elevate childcare services from policy guidance to legal protection, addressing issues such as accessibility and affordability of childcare [5]. Group 2: Current State of Childcare Services - As of now, there are 126,000 childcare institutions in China, providing a total of 6.657 million childcare spots, with a ratio of 4.73 spots per 1,000 population for children under three [5]. - Challenges such as difficulty in accessing childcare, high costs, and varying quality persist, indicating a gap between current services and public expectations for quality childcare [5]. Group 3: Safety and Regulation - The draft emphasizes safety as a fundamental aspect, proposing strict regulations for the establishment of childcare institutions, including obtaining necessary permits and meeting various conditions [6]. - A qualification examination and registration system for childcare workers will be implemented, along with a blacklist for those with serious criminal records or ethical violations [6]. Group 4: Service Standards and Monitoring - The draft outlines detailed service provisions, including guidelines for activities, food safety, and health management for infants [7]. - It mandates the installation of video monitoring systems in childcare facilities to ensure safety and accountability, with a comprehensive supervision mechanism established by local governments [7]. Group 5: Accessibility and Affordability - The draft aims to create a public service system for childcare that is diverse, safe, high-quality, reasonably priced, and easily accessible [8]. - Measures to expand supply and reduce costs include encouraging employers to provide affordable childcare services and exploring subsidy systems for families [8].