#Childcare

Sustainability challenge and related SDGs

Children are agents of change. They can use their infinite potential to create a better world.

However, they can only do so if this potential is being nurtured from an early stage. For a child's brain to develop, it needs more than education. It needs a healthy, nurturing, protective and enriching environment. Early childhood development or #Childcare can fundamentally advance all SDGs through SDG 4 "Quality Education".

At the same time, the link between #Childcare and women's economic participation is clear.

More investments in quality, affordable, early childhood development are associated with greater opportunities for economic advancement and women's empowerment. Thus, they advance SDG 5, "Gender Equality".

Possible solutions and their contribution to achieving the SDGs

In the first five years of life, the brain has the maximum development capacity. Toddlers then learn the skills that will help them succeed later in life. For the brain to develop in all its complexity, it needs adequate nutrition, while stimulation is just as vital.

#Childcare facilities can provide an ideal environment for early childhood development: Meals and activities are designed to create an ideal, healthy environment. Caregivers provide nurturing and protection. Together with the children, they create an enriching environment that provides valuable experiences.

SDG target 4.2 focuses explicitly on #Childcare and development: "By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre‑primary education so that they are ready for primary education."

At the same time, #Childcare addresses the problem of unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, as desired in SDG target 5.4.
#Childcare promotes early childhood development. Every dollar invested in #Childcare increases the future wages of those children by USD 6 to USD 17. This demonstrates that early childhood development is a financially wise choice given its economic benefits, as well as multiplier effects for all of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Let's reaffirm our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals by giving every child a fair chance in life from the very beginning.

Primarily related SDG Targets: 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 5.4

Investment Rationale and Growth Potential

In most countries, the proportion of women in the education system is growing or is equal to that of men. Consequently, there are many couples in which both pursue a career. This means there is rising demand for the external provision of #Childcare by either state or private institutions during work hours. #Childcare offers a solution to the trend where both parents continue to work after a child is born.

The #Childcare market has grown in recent decades and is expected to continue to grow steadily. Thus #Childcare will remain an important investment theme.