Court of Auditors Proposes Maternity Leave Extension to Address Childcare Shortage
In a recent report, the Court of Auditors has recommended extending maternity leave by one month and improving parental leave compensation to tackle the ongoing shortage of childcare options for children under three years old in France. This recommendation comes amid a backdrop of public financial constraints and a significant retirement wave among early childhood professionals.
The report, presented by Pierre Moscovici, highlights that the current maternity leave of 16 weeks is shorter than that in many OECD countries. An extension of one month could potentially free up 35,000 childcare places, at an estimated net cost of 350 million euros per year. The Court emphasized that enhancing parental care, which is less costly than daycare, could reduce the demand for childcare by approximately 70,000 cots, saving around 360 million euros annually.
Financial Challenges and Public Spending
The Court of Auditors noted that public spending on childcare reached 16.1 billion euros in 2022, accounting for nearly 90% of childcare-related expenses. However, the current funding model appears unsustainable, as it primarily favors daycare services, leaving one in five families struggling to find adequate childcare solutions. This issue is exacerbated by the projected retirement of half of the childminders by 2030, which threatens the availability of childcare services.
The report also criticized the existing financing system for not encouraging improvements in the quality of care, pointing out that there is little difference in quality between public and private childcare providers. It called for a reevaluation of funding strategies to ensure better access and quality of care for families, especially those with atypical work hours.
Prioritizing Family Support and Employment
The Court's findings align with the government's recent prioritization of supporting birth rates and enhancing the quality of childcare. The proposed creation of 200,000 additional childcare places by 2030, initially promised by former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, is now under scrutiny due to the financial implications and the looming shortage of qualified professionals in the sector.
In conclusion, the Court of Auditors' recommendations aim to address the pressing challenges in the childcare sector by advocating for policy changes that support families and improve the overall quality of early childhood care in France.
