Explore the opening of nursing classes in many places to benefit small children through inclusive childcare

In recent developments, several cities in China are introducing infant care classes for babies aged 6 to 12 months, igniting public interest. For instance, a public kindergarten in Wenzhou and a public hospital in Quzhou have recently launched such programs. Cities like Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Quzhou in Zhejiang province, Shenzhen in Guangdong, Xiamen in Fujian, Wuhan in Hubei, and Taizhou in Jiangsu are also piloting similar initiatives. These programs include offerings from public kindergartens, public hospitals, and private institutions, aiming to provide affordable care for infants. Notably, the infant care class at Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital integrates health services with early education, creating a novel “medical-educational integration” model that combines maternal and child health, nutrition, early childhood development, and caregiving support.

**Sufficient Staffing with Professional Backgrounds**

This fall, Wenzhou’s No. 20 Kindergarten has introduced an infant care class, catering specifically to infants aged 6 to 12 months. As a public institution, the kindergarten already operated smaller classes for children aged 12 to 36 months before launching this new program. In just over a month, the infant care class has already enrolled nine babies.

The regulations stipulate a teacher-student ratio of no less than 1:3. In this program, there is one lead teacher and three caregivers, alongside administrative staff who participate in the care of the infants, achieving a ratio that can exceed 1:1 in practice. All caregivers hold professional certifications, such as infant care and early childhood education credentials.

In a recent interview, the kindergarten’s principal, Lin Yanyan, shared that each child’s unique feeding and sleeping habits are tracked meticulously to accommodate the varied needs and preferences of parents, ensuring a satisfactory experience for families.

The announcement has received a warm response online, with many expressing support for its expansion. Parents have highlighted the struggles faced by dual-income families in finding suitable care for infants under one year, noting that public nursery programs offer a more affordable and reliable alternative to private care solutions.

**Exploring New Models of Care**

Research by the Beijing Youth Daily indicates that the establishment of infant care classes in public institutions is not an isolated incident. Last November, the Quzhou Comprehensive Parenting Service Center began its own infant care program, also aimed at children aged 6 to 12 months. This center, run by Quzhou’s Maternal and Child Health Hospital, represents the first public-private partnership for infant care in the province, allowing it to service infants aged zero to three comprehensively.

According to the center’s principal, Zhuang Lisha, the infant care class maintains a strict 1:3 teacher-student ratio, with two teachers and one caregiver dedicated to providing tailored support for each child.

Mr. Yao, a representative from the Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, noted that the program has allocated space for nine infants so far and is structured as a day care service operating from 9 AM to 4 PM. Consultation requests from parents have been high since its launch, with a prioritization system for younger infants. Each day, a temperature-check robot assesses the children’s health upon arrival. Parents who wish to provide breast milk can store it at the facility for use throughout the day.

Feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly due to the program’s backing by the government and the hospital, which reassures families about the level of care provided. The facility includes a medical point from the health hospital, allowing for immediate attention in case of illness.

One parent, Ms. Zhu, revealed that she recently chose to enroll her child in this public nursery, allowing her to return to work earlier than planned. “This public daycare has a great environment, affordable fees, and weekly visits from pediatric experts for growth assessments and caregiving guidance,” she shared.

As communicated via the Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital’s official account, the nursery officially opened last September, offering 120 spaces for infants aged 0 to 3. What sets it apart from other facilities is its commitment to integrating maternal and child healthcare services, creating various care models, pushig forward the “medical-educational integration” concept to enhance infant care quality.

**Reducing Care Costs with Collaborative Agreements**

Across the nation, there is a concerted push to improve childcare services geared toward children under three. The types of institutions providing these services vary, including kindergartens, community centers, maternal and child healthcare facilities, and corporate partnerships, although requirements for enrollment can differ by city and institution.

Interestingly, many cities mandate that infants entering care must be at least two years old. However, some providers have reduced this to one year, as seen at the Jiangxi Nanchang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, which has established full-time programs for children aged 1 to 1.5 years.

Additionally, several private early education organizations are offering infant classes for children aged 6 to 12 months throughout Guangdong, with some accepting infants as young as two months.

Alongside public institutions offering infant care programs, various cities, including Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Quzhou, Taiyuan in Shanxi, Wuhan in Hubei, Xiamen in Fujian, Shenzhen in Guangdong, Chengdu in Sichuan, and Taizhou in Jiangsu, have started implementing more inclusive childcare initiatives. Many of these programs are under private management, with others following public-private or corporate agreements. For example, a public-private nursery in Hangzhou catering to infants has recently opened, with a capacity for nine babies aged 6 to 12 months.

Meanwhile, a government-corporate collaboration in Taizhou’s Hailing District has started offering infant classes for children aged 6 to 12 months, operating from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM with a staggering 1:1 caregiver-to-infant ratio. This program emphasizes holistic development according to infant monthly age characteristics.

To ease the financial burden on dual-income families, many regions are also working to reduce childcare fees. For instance, in Xiamen, seven private childcare institutions signed agreements with the local Family Development Affairs Center to lower costs starting September 1, resulting in a reduction of infant care fees from 4,200 Yuan to 2,100 Yuan per month.

**Reported by: Dai Youqing, Intern Jin Yulu, Coordinated by Jiang Shuo**