TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As a parent, ensuring our child's needs, from health to education, is pivotal. This is what countries, like Canada, are trying to fulfill.

Referring to canada.ca, the government ensures that all families in Canada have access to high-quality, affordable, and flexible child care.

One tangible example of affordable child care in Canada is that the fees have been reduced by at least 50 percent since the end of 2022.

Parents in other places have also had similar experiences. Let’s take a closer look into this list of countries with the best universal child care.

1. Sweden

When it comes to countries with the best child care, then Sweden should be on the list. With one of the most generous parental leave policies in the world, up to 480 days of paid leave shared between both parents, Sweden sets the gold standard.

The country’s commitment to early childhood education is, too, appreciation-worthy. From the age of 1, Swedish children are entitled to preschool education. They will undergo this education until the age of 6.

2. Denmark

Denmark is quite well-known for its progressive approach to child care, which combines affordability with high quality. The Danish government guarantees child care for children aged 8 months to 2 years.

Parents need not to worry about the cost either. They only pay 30 percent of the cost of the service.

Not to mention, parents may support their children to continue their education to a higher level without any charge. In other words, higher education in Denmark is free!

3. Finland

In a global survey, Finland was voted as one of the best countries to raise kids. It is thanks to the government running a family leave program for both parents.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland, Finnish fathers and mothers are required to take around 160 working days of leave to take care of their children before the age of 2.

4. Norway

Besides Finland, Norway can be regarded as one of the best countries to have a baby. The country offers a 49-week parental leave at full pay and 59-week at 80 percent of pay.

How about adoptive parents? Do they bear the same rights? According to the Nordic Council of Ministers, they actually do!

However, if the adopted child is over the age of 15, the aforementioned parental leave is not applicable.

5. Canada

What’s so good about child care in the “maple country”? Canada stands out as one of the best countries to have a baby, particularly due to its comprehensive child care policies.

While the country is still working towards universal child care, several provinces, such as Quebec, offer affordable and high-quality child care options. As mentioned earlier, Canada has reduced its child care fees by 50 percent at the end of 2022.

Furthermore, employees are also entitled to parental leave, thanks to the Canada Labor Code. Parents who have to take care of their babies can take parental leave up to 37 weeks.

6. Germany

Another country with the best child care is. It offers a top-notch educational system, as well as great attention to childcare. Thanks to its open-market capitalism, it is able to maintain its school and childcare quality, as well as quality of life and health of its people.

7. Netherlands

The Netherlands is renowned for its high-quality child care services. According to UNICEF Innocenti’s report, it is included as one of the best-performing countries providing high-quality child care and well-paid parental leave.

When it comes to parental leave policies, the Netherlands enables parents to spend up to 26 weeks with 9 weeks of paid leave (at 70 percent of their daily income) after giving birth. Parents who are planning to adopt a child are even entitled to six-week paid leave.

8. Luxemburg

UNICEF Innocenti’s report also regards Luxemburg as one of the best-performing countries when it comes to parental leave and childcare. According to luxembourg.public.lu, Luxemburg allows children aged 1 to 4, who do not attend early education, to get free childcare hours as they enroll in a mini-crèche.

9. Austria

How much does Austria care about early education? Well, many private educational institutions, such as kindergartens, receive subsidies from the government.

Besides, working parents are still able to take care of their children. It is possible for them to swap staying at home, thanks to a fully-paid two-year leave.

10. Singapore

Last but not least, Singapore stands out as a SEA country with the best child care. Regardless of the high cost, Singapore is well-known for its high-quality education. Best universities, such as the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, come from this land.

The government itself is supportive for the well-being of children. The Singaporean government provides a child and infant care subsidy to ensure affordability and accessibility of child care services.

M. FRIA FACHRAMA S.

Editor's Choice: Top 10 Best Countries in the World to Raise a Family

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