The Children and Families Agency announced plans to launch a model project providing after-school care for elementary school students at companies. The initiative aims to reduce waiting lists for gakudō hoiku facilities. It will also introduce a website for parents to verify babysitter safety standards.
The Children and Families Agency announced on Tuesday that it will launch a model project for providing after-school care to elementary school students at companies, as part of a proposed comprehensive economic package. The agency aims to reduce the number of children on waiting lists for gakudō hoiku after-school care facilities through this initiative.
According to the agency, about 17,000 children were on waiting lists for these facilities as of May 1. Demand is rising due to an increase in dual-income households. By subsidizing companies and other entities that offer such care, the agency seeks to support working parents in child-rearing.
Additionally, the agency will launch a website allowing parents to check whether babysitters meet safety standards, promoting the use of babysitting services.
Hitoshi Kikawada, minister for policies related to children, said at a news conference on Tuesday: "Securing after-school places for children is important in terms of supporting work-parenting balance and reducing the burden of child-rearing."
This project addresses growing needs for after-school care amid Japan's shifting family dynamics.