Explore the relationship between childcare gap policies and children’s social quality: a comparative analysis of European countries

Yu, Wai Kam; Chau, Ruby Chui Man; Yu, Clement; Ho, Grace

Abstract

Purpose: This article focuses on children’s social quality. Social quality can be understood as the extent to which people can engage in the social, economic, and cultural lives of their communities, under conditions that strengthen their well-being and potential. This article has two purposes. The first is to develop a league table ranking 23 countries’ children’s social quality based on comparative data. The second is to examine the correlation between these countries' commitment to promoting children’s social quality and reducing the child care gap, where childcare is insufficiently covered by child care leave or Early Childhood Education and Care. Design/methodology/approach: We analyse the findings obtained from the children’s social quality league table and the child care gap league table for the 23 countries. Findings: The findings reveal mixed relationships between the children’s social quality league table and the child care gap league table. These findings indicate that we cannot assume that countries prioritizing the reduction of the child care gap automatically possess the capacity or willingness to promote other aspects of children’s welfare. They also highlight the significance of encouraging countries to enhance their children’s social quality as a way to promote children’s welfare rather than solely reducing the child care gap. Originality/value: Children’s social quality is a new research area. To explore it, this article makes an innovative attempt by exploring the connection between social quality, children’s welfare, and the child care gap. The league table of children’s social quality this article developed is the first of its kind.

Citation

Yu, W. K., Chau, R. C. M., Yu, C., & Ho, G. (2024). Explore the relationship between childcare gap policies and children’s social quality: a comparative analysis of European countries. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 44(11/12), 955-973. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2024-0116

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 24, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2024
• Publication Date: Sep 26, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 13, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
• Print ISSN: 0144-333X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 11/12
• Pages: 955-973
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-03-2024-0116
• Keywords: Early childhood education and care, Child care gap, Child care leave, Social quality
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/38109088
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/0144-333X.htm