Caring for the Youngest

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the childcare industry in Uganda Core Insights - The report highlights the significant burden of childcare on women in Uganda, with 83% of women performing unpaid care work compared to 53% of men, which affects their participation in the labor market and entrepreneurial activities [17][18] - It emphasizes the lack of adequate legal and policy frameworks for center-based childcare services for children under three years of age, indicating a gap in support for this demographic [24][38] - The report identifies three pillars of childcare services: availability, affordability, and quality, and discusses the current legal and regulatory measures in place to support these pillars [25][22] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report provides an overview of Uganda's legal, policy, and institutional framework for center-based childcare for children under three years of age, aiming to inform the GROW project [17][24] - It notes that the current labor force participation rate among women in Uganda is 39%, significantly lower than that of men [17] Availability of Childcare Services - The legal framework in Uganda primarily entrusts the provision of early childhood care to the private sector and non-governmental organizations, with no public provisions for children under three [33][34] - Employer-supported childcare is largely voluntary, with ongoing efforts to reform laws to require employers to provide childcare services [33][34] Affordability of Childcare Services - The report states that fees for childcare services range from US$0.80 to US$527 per month, with no legal interventions to make childcare affordable [41][42] - Most childcare facilities are concentrated in urban areas, making access difficult for low-income families and those in rural areas [42][43] Quality of Childcare Services - The report discusses the absence of legal requirements for minimum operating hours or flexible hours for childcare centers, although some providers have adapted to meet demand [36][38] - Quality standards for childcare services are not well established, leading to disparities in service provision [26][38] Institutional Framework for Childcare Provision - The report highlights the need for a stronger institutional framework to support childcare provision, including regulations for licensing and monitoring of childcare services [26][27] Conclusions and Recommendations - The report concludes that significant reforms are needed to improve the legal and policy frameworks for childcare services for children under three, emphasizing the importance of addressing availability, affordability, and quality [24][38]