TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Vice President and President-Elect Lai Ching-te announced on Monday (March 25) that he plans to further promote the "National child care policy for ages 0-6", building on the foundation laid by President Tsai Ing-wen, to alleviate the burden on families with children.
Lai emphasized that the government will increase subsidies for childcare costs for children aged 0 to 2. For the first child, the subsidy for those using public childcare will be raised to NT$ 7,000, and for those using quasi-public infant care or nanny services, the subsidy will be increased to NT$ 13,000. The subsidies for the second and third children will be increased by NT$ 1,000 and NT$ 2,000 respectively.
During a meeting with the recipients of the 31st Outstanding Teachers Award for Kindergarten Educators, Lai expressed his desire to inspire more individuals to pursue careers in early childhood education.
He also hopes that the winners will serve as role models, encouraging every early childhood educator to strive for daily improvement and provide better early childhood education.
Since taking office, President Tsai Ing-wen has placed great emphasis on early childhood education, vigorously promoting the "National child care policy for ages 0-6." By the end of last year, the number of public kindergartens had increased by 3,409, and 1,944 private kindergartens had joined the quasi-public mechanism, providing an additional 488,000 affordable enrollment slots. The policy has been effective in reducing the burden on families with children.
Lai emphasized the importance of addressing declining birth rates and ensuring support for families with children. He underscored the necessity of enhancing professional training for early childhood education and care professionals, improving teacher benefits, and increasing the salaries of frontline workers. These measures, he stressed, are crucial for securing a more stable future for children.
