Challenges and way forward for children’s services in Hungary Parental Childcare and Employment Policy „Collision or Complementarity?” Prague, 5-6 February 2009 Marta Korintus SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

The system Leaves to care for children For insured parents For uninsured parents Financial support Monthly payment (family allowance) Tax credit Services for children „Bölcsőde” for under 3’s „Óvoda” for 3-6 year olds Family day care for 20 month -14 year olds SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Types of leave SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour 2007 data for nursery and kindergarten NurseryKindergarten Number of places Number of children enrolled Number of age group Ratio of age group enrolled Ratio of age group related to the number of places Number of workers Adult / child ratio1/61/11

Services offered by nurseries Crèsche service Mother toddler group Organized events for parents Toy and book library Take-away meals Home childcare Advisory service for parents SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Family day care Licensed homes Max. 5 children per adult 205 family day care provider in public 154 non-public SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Family day care - Concerns What level of quality can be ensured in these homes What kinds of support family day care providers could receive to get started and to operate How it is possible to ensure a good balance between center-based care and family day care when the latter is cheaper for local authorities SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Family day care – Debated issues Setting standards Training Support Balance SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Family day care – Results Legislation was passed License is required Definition of fit person 60 hours training Criteria set for environment Criteria for working with children SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Challenges for childcare in Hungary Need- or supply-driven services? Diversification Financing Attitudes / ideology SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Financing Financing for public childcare services Earmarked funding (30-40%) Parental payment (10%) Local authority contribution (rest of the cost) Financing for non-profit childcare services Earmarked funding (30-40%) Parental payment (10%) Local authority contract (varies) Income for additional services (varies) SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Attitude How suitable/good are the following forms of childcare for a child under the age of 3? (on a 4 point scale) Mother is at home with the child: 3.87 Father is at home with the child: 2.68 Grandparents with the child: 2.61 Nursery: 2.35 Family day care: 2.1 Friends look after the child: 1.7 Babysitter: 1.68 SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Framework of HU’s strategy EU Barcelona targets “Legyen Jobb a Gyermekeknek” (Let It Be Better For Children) National Strategy and Action Plan to decrease the ratio of children and families living in poverty to support parents’ labor market participation to develop services for children under 3 New Hungary Development Plan ( ) SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour

Way forward? Integration of nursery and kindergarten services Family day care Nursery group in kindergartens Changing the legislation to admit 2 year- olds in kindergartens SZMI Institute of Social Policy and Labour