ISTANBUL

Chinese lawmakers on Monday began reviewing a bill on childcare services, the first national legislation of its kind in the country, as authorities seek to support childbirth and ease pressures on families, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

The draft was submitted for its first reading at the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body. It aims to regulate childcare services, protect children under the age of 3, and support broader policies on childbirth and parenting.

Demand for childcare has grown as more households rely on dual incomes, making it harder for families to balance work and caregiving. China currently has about 126,000 childcare centers, but with nearly 30 million children under 3 nationwide, demand significantly exceeds supply.

The draft legislation adopts what officials describe as a demand-driven, problem-focused approach to addressing key challenges in the childcare sector.

It focuses on service quality, provider qualifications, and regulatory oversight, with the stated goal of offering affordable, safe, and high-quality childcare while reducing the financial burden of raising children.

Proposals include requiring childcare centers to meet staffing, facility, and funding standards, as well as mandating the public display of licenses and safety protocols.

The draft law also calls for a national qualification system for childcare workers and would bar individuals with criminal records from working in the sector.

Additional provisions cover play-based learning, limits on screen time, food safety requirements, and the use of video surveillance in key areas of childcare facilities.

The legislation also aligns with broader government efforts to address demographic challenges, including policies such as free preschool education aimed at lowering household costs.

Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill this week through Saturday.