// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did universal child care say to the kid? You're cared for universally.

Sign advocating for universal childcare at Zohran Mamdani's mayoral inauguration

Universal child care is the provision of free or low-cost child care to all families, regardless of the ability to pay, through government subsidies. It generally encompasses daycare from the end of parental leave to the beginning of government-subsidized preschool or kindergarten. It may also include after-school care throughout primary education, allowing parents to work a full day.

Various countries have implemented universal child care; those with the highest subsidies are the Nordic countries and Germany.

See also

Countries implementing:

• Child care in Canada
• Child care § By country

Related concepts:

• Universal preschool
• Universal health care
• Universal basic income