Care services for infants to be stepped up

The State Council issued a guideline to improve care services for infants under 3 years old.

Departments concerned should give shape to the system of laws, regulations, and standards for this sector and establish an array of exemplary infant care institutions, the guideline said, with improved services meeting the needs of the public.

Laws, regulations, and standards for this sector should be fleshed out by 2025, with a multifaceted, diversified, and widely available service system taking shape.

Policies on maternal leave should be implemented, with new parents returning to work under full support from their employers.

Governments at all levels should establish infant care facilities and related security facilities in proportion with the population of long-term residents inside emerging residential areas.

With regard to the renovation of old residential areas, the guideline said, governments at all levels are encouraged to take multiple approaches, featuring subsidies, industrial navigation, and mobilization of social forces.

Infant care institutions, both non-profit and profit, should conclude their registration process at corresponding local registration departments above town level.

Employers are encouraged to provide their workers with infant nursing services in the workplace, the guideline said.

Infant care institutions across the board can provide various services to better cater to actual household needs, including boarding nurseries, half-day nurseries, hour-based nursing services, and more.

The guideline also presses for political backup, guaranteed land allocation, staff training, efficient online platforms, and social support.