Quzhou makes progress in becoming more child friendly

Quzhou in Zhejiang province has made significant strides in creating a more child-friendly environment over the past few years, as declared during a news conference on Feb 2.

Notably, local authorities have leveraged digital solutions to establish the province's first child-friendly smart pick-up and drop-off system. This innovation has successfully reduced the average pick-up and drop-off time from six minutes to less than one minute.

In addition, Quzhou has implemented an "integrated policing" school protection model, engaging teachers, parents, and police personnel in traffic guidance, with an average daily participation exceeding 10,000 instances.

Furthermore, 641 limited-time parking slots have been added in the city to facilitate smoother traffic flow.

The local government has also allocated resources to enhance infrastructure, including the addition of isolation facilities, designated school area markings, and the construction of parent rest areas and weather-resistant corridors.

Plans are in place to construct 20 weather-resistant corridors in schools in 2024, aimed at further improving the commuting and passage environment for students and parents.

Authorities also issued guidelines in March 2023 to promote public-interest childcare services, introducing support measures for childcare institutions and home-based care. Subsidies totaling 2.64 million yuan ($368,518.08) have been disbursed to 759 families and 63 kindergarten childcare departments.

Moreover, Quzhou has continuously enhanced the natural growth mechanism for basic living allowances for orphans and children in difficult circumstances. As of the end of 2023, a total of 111 orphans and 5,347 children in difficult circumstances have been incorporated into the child welfare system.