A Study On The Family Demand And Institutional Supply Of 0-3 Year Old Infant Care

In recent years,China’s population birth rate has continued to decline,from "two only children","two alone children" to "comprehensive two children".The national fertility policy has been continuously relaxed,but the number of new births has not achieved the expected sustained growth,but after a brief increase,there has been a downward trend year by year.At the same time,China’s population aging continues to deepen.In order to cope with the aging population and the phenomenon of fewer children,in 2021,China decided to implement the policy of allowing a couple to have three children and supporting measures.The liberalization of the three child policy has not led to a strong desire for childbearing among families of childbearing age.Problems such as high fertility costs,lack of care for young children,and conflicts between women’s work and family have forced families of childbearing age to delay childbearing or even become infertile.In particular,the plight of "infants without care" has become an important factor restricting childbearing willingness among families of childbearing age,while most families are facing practical problems such as "difficulty in entering kindergarten" and "high cost of entering kindergarten",The contradiction between supply and demand of childcare services for infants and young children under3 years of age is prominent.This study is based on the welfare pluralism theory and the hierarchy of needs theory,using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods for research and analysis.The subjects of the survey were parents with 0-3 year old infant care experience in urban areas and institutional parents.The urban area of Chongqing B District was used as the survey site to collect questionnaire data and interview materials.Firstly,we investigated the parenting situation,childcare concepts,and specific needs for childcare services in 0-3 infant families.Secondly,through the seven dimensions of environmental facilities,kindergarten management,care and care,early education,teaching staff,convenience in receiving and care,and home care interaction,we can understand the main factors considered by infant and young children families when choosing childcare institutions within the acceptable range of childcare prices.In addition,in order to understand the needs and preferences of families for childcare institutions,this study conducted a difference analysis for different infant families.In the context of infants and young children,there are significant differences in the service needs of families with different numbers of infants and young children for childcare institutions in terms of environmental facilities,kindergarten management,care and care,early education,teaching staff,and convenience of childcare.In the context of parents,fathers of different age groups have significant differences in their service needs for childcare institutions only in the dimension of convenience for childcare,while mothers of different age groups have significant differences in their service needs for childcare institutions in the dimensions of environmental facilities,childcare,teaching staff,and convenience for childcare.There is no significant difference in the service needs of childcare institutions among families with different monthly total income.In addition,the supply status of private childcare institutions is understood through field observation of research childcare institutions,satisfaction ratings of families entering childcare institutions,and self description of the development difficulties of the institutions.T care centers and H care centers are basically able to meet the needs of incoming families in terms of care and care,but they are not good at early education courses,convenient transportation for parents,and family parenting guidance knowledge.The principal of the institution stated that the difficulties faced by the institution in terms of operating funds,teachers,policy support,negative public opinion,and weak parental care concepts have led to difficulties in the operation and development of the institution.Therefore,in order to meet the actual childcare needs of infants and young children families,improve the effective supply of childcare institutions’ services,and thereby promote the development of childcare services for 0-3 years old infants and young children,targeted suggestions are proposed from the government,society,institutions,and families.At the government level,improve policies and regulations,and formulate supervision and management standards;Expanding the teaching staff and improving the talent cultivation mechanism;Increase financial investment and broaden funding channels;Develop inclusive childcare and encourage social forces to run parks.On the social level,positive publicity by public opinion enhances social confidence;Accurately grasp demand and provide reasonably and effectively.At the institutional level,create a high-quality childcare environment and provide rich activity facilities;Optimize personnel training programs to improve the quality of kindergarten teachers;Improve the frequency of home care interaction and strengthen family parenting guidance.At the family level,change traditional concepts and innovate parenting methods;Emphasize family responsibilities and optimize the nurturing environment.