A regulatory framework for alternative childcare solutions supporting working parents: pilot initiatives in Moldova
0-1 Original language
English
I-1 Name of the initiative
A regulatory framework for alternative childcare solutions supporting working parents: pilot initiatives in Moldova
I-2 Geographical coverage
MDA
I-2-A Region/country
Republic of Moldova
I-2-R Region
Europe and Central Asia
I-2-T Geographical scope
Country
I-3-A Initiative start date
2022
I-3-B Initiative end date
2024
I-4 Leading entity/organization
Government
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations
Employer and Business Membership Organization
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations
Workers' organization
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations
Private enterprise
I-5 Collaborating entities/organizations
Civil society, including NGOs
I-6 Has the ILO been involved in the initiative?
Yes
I-6-A Specify how the ILO was involved
ILO, via funding from the SIDA, funded, organized and implemented the initiative, in collaboration with constituents, enterprises and national NGOs.The ILO played a significant role in supporting the implementation of the National Program for Childcare Services for Children Under 3 Years and its Action Plan by assisting in the development of bylaws regulating the organization and functioning of alternative childcare services and piloting new alternative childcare solutions. The ILO piloted, together with implementation partners, three newly approved modalities of alternative childcare provision to assess their effectiveness: • Home-based nurseries: The ILO led the development of a comprehensive program covering the necessary steps to establish successful home-based nurseries. This initiative included an awareness campaign targeting women interested in the sector, a structured training program for those looking to open home-based nurseries, and financial grants coupled with coaching services to support selected nursery owners during their initial months of operation. • Onsite childcare services: With ILO support, the Confederation of Employers of Moldova (CNPM) has actively engaged its members, informing them about the new legal provisions and the benefits of workplace childcare services. CNPM is currently selecting two enterprises to receive assistance in setting up onsite childcare facilities. This support includes financial grants and technical assistance to facilitate licensing, staff recruitment, and curriculum development. • Individual nannies: In coordination with the Centre for Partnership for Development (CPD), the ILO implemented a program aimed at formalizing individual nannies, ensuring their integration into the formal labour market.
I-7 Is there collaboration with other agencies of the United Nations System or other partners?
No
II-1 Justification of the initiative
Mothers often stay out of the labour market for lack of available, reliable and/or affordable childcare services. In Moldova, only 15 percent of children under three are enrolled in preschool. The lack of childcare options has left 53.6 percent of the population, mainly women aged 25-34, inactive due to family responsibilities, despite their qualifications. To address this, the ILO and the Republic of Moldova have been testing new models of childcare facilities that can help women to join or re-join the labour force. As part of the initiative, Moldova has reformed its legal framework, introducing paid paternity and shared parental leave, as well as law and regulations that support alternative childcare options, such as home-based nurseries, individual nannies, and onsite kindergartens in workplaces. These reforms aim to reduce the barriers that keep mothers from returning to work, particularly those aged 25-34, and help increase women’s participation in the labour force.
II-10 Focus on other branches of economic activity
No sectoral focus
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Micro enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Small enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Medium enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Large enterprises
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Multinational enterprises
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employees
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employers
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Own-account workers
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Members of producers’ cooperatives
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Contributing family workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Domestic workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Community health and care workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Childcare workers (for children ages 0-start of primary school)
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Home-based workers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Women
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Men
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Mothers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Fathers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Persons with other care responsibilities
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Yes, through social dialogue
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Yes, inter-institutional coordination mechanisms
II-2 Objectives and description of the initiative
The main objective of the initiative is to expand the childcare services in Moldova by improving the legal framework and and piloting new alternative childcare solutions. By providing these alternative childcare solutions, Moldova is creating more opportunities for women to balance work and family responsibilities, fostering greater gender equality and economic empowerment.The implementation of the initiative in Moldova has provided valuable insights and lessons learned which offer a roadmap for future initiatives and highlight the importance of adaptive, context-specific approaches to addressing complex social and economic issues.
II-3 Type of initiative
Programme
II-3 Type of initiative
Project / pilot intervention
II-3 Type of initiative
Other normative / regulatory framework
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care
II-5 Which is the main policy area of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Care policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Employment policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Skills policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Social Protection policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Labour Protection policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Design and implement integrated and coherent care policies and systems for decent work and gender equality
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Mainstream care into relevant public policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Formalization of informal care jobs and enterprises
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Addressing the undervaluation of care work by raising public awareness
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Comprehensive maternity protection and care leave and protection policies, including paternity, parental leave and long-term care leave
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Invest in and make available high-quality, affordable, adequate and accessible care services, including childcare, health care and long-term care
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Unpaid carers (workers or persons with care responsibilities, parents, other family members, etc.)
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Paid care workers (nurses, domestic workers, teachers, childcare workers, personal assistants, etc.)
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Care recipients (children, older persons, persons with disabilities, etc.)
II-9 Geographical scope
Urban
III-1 In a short paragraph, summarize the main results and impacts obtained
The adoption of new legislation on Alternative Childcare Services in Moldova led to significant advancements in policy and regulation, including the approval of key government decisions and laws to support childcare services :• The Government Decision no. 572/2023 on the organisation and functioning of alternative childcare services (including individualized type) approved on August 2nd, 2023.• The Project Law no. 395/2023 on extending the time limit for carrying out patent-based activities for the types of activities covered by headings 2.52 and 2.53 (family type and individualized type) approved on December 7th, 2023.• The Classification of Occupations of the Republic of Moldova (CORM 006-2021) amended and approved by the Order of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection ORDER No. 128 of 06-09-2023 and Published: 20-09-2023 in the Official Gazette No. 361 art. 908• The adoption of the QUALIFICATION STANDARD for Childcare Worker: 3_cnc_ingrijitor_de_copii.pdf• Approval of the occupational standard "Childcare Worker: OMMPS29/2024In 2023, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched a pilot initiative in Moldova to address the low labour market participation of women with young children by enhancing access to childcare services. The project, implemented in partnership with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Moldova (AFAM) and the Confederation of Employers of Moldova (CNPM) focused on pilot testing the introduction of new childcare services in alignment with the recent legislation on Alternative Childcare Services, as established by Law No. 367/2022.
III-2 Explanation of the innovative element of the initiative for advancing decent work in the care economy
The innovative element in this initiative is the comprehensive approach to addressing the shortage of childcare services in Moldova. At the policy and regulatory level, individualized and family-type / home-based childcare services were supported, along with workplace solutions. These alternative solutions were supported with technical assistance and training: entrepreneurship training, grants and coaching. The initiative also integrated public awareness raising, to address the reticence of parents to consider alternative options to childcare outside of the public offer. This aspect addressed the demand side, together with the newly developed offer.
IV-1 What were the main challenges or difficulties during the design and implementation? How were they faced/ addressed?
The pilot project encountered several key challenges, which were addressed through targeted solutions: • Formalization Costs: High costs for formalizing home-based nurseries and individual nannies were a barrier. Solution: The program provided financial support, subsidies, and training on cost-effective business practices for providers. • Lack of Popularity: Parents were hesitant to use alternative childcare services. Solution: Awareness campaigns and community outreach were implemented to build trust and highlight successful case studies. • Legal Compliance Concerns: Private companies struggled with complex legal requirements. Solution: The program offered clear guidelines and workshops to help businesses navigate regulations and comply with legal standards.
IV-2 Lessons learned and good practices, including room and opportunities for improvement
The Importance of Testing Provisions in Practice. Before adopting regulations, it is essential that they are tested through pilot initiatives to assess their feasibility. The implementation process revealed the need for numerous adjustments, and the pilot experiences provided valuable lessons to inform and improve the regulatory framework.It is essential to involve specialists from various fields of expertise—such as taxation, health, education, economics, and social protection—from the very beginning, in order to ensure a comprehensive regulation of childcare services.Social dialogue strengthens regulatory outcomes. Meaningful engagement with social partners throughout the development and approval of operational regulations facilitated their acceptance and more effective implementation.Adaptability and context matter. The Moldova experience confirmed the need for adaptive, locally tailored approaches when designing care solutions, to address complex social and economic issues.
IV-3 Key conditions for success
- Political will from key responsible governmental institutions- Stakeholder engagement played a crucial role, with regular meetings fostering collaboration and alignment on project objectives.- All the cooperation was based on a tailor-made approach, that assured a successful implementation of the project
IV-4 Key conditions for sustainability
To support the long-term implementation of alternative childcare solutions, two reports were developed on the legal and organizational constraints affecting family-type and on-site childcare services. These reports, presented to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, identified key regulatory barriers and provided policy recommendations for improvement.
IV-5 Potential for transferability, expansion and replicability in other countries and contexts
This practice can be easily adapted and replicated with strong stakeholder interest and engagement.
V-1 Sources of information and documents used on the characteristics of the initiative, including links to websites, news items, toolkits, policy documents or reports
The first home-based childcare services will be opened with the support of the International Labour Organization and Street Child Moldova, in partnership with AFAM | United Nations in Moldova"Micul Odoraș"--Meet Mariana Grigorenco, the force behind the first home-based day-care for small children in Moldova | International Labour OrganizationThe story of a mother who chose to turn child care into a qualified and legalized activity | United Nations in Moldova
V-2 Contact information of ILO focal point
Laís Wendel Abramo (National Secretary of Care and Family). Email: [email protected]
VI-1 Title and Description
"Micul Odoraș"- Meet Mariana Grigorenco, the force behind the first home-based day-care for small children in MoldovaMariana Grigorenco is an educator with a master's degree in inclusive education. She has experience working with children with special needs, including autism and various disabilities. She loves being around children, and when she learned about the possibility of receiving support from the ILO to set up a family-type daycare at home, she didn't hesitate and signed up.