Who Uses Childcare Centers? Evidence from Burkina Faso

Abstract

What determines childcare center use for low-income urban households? And how does subsidizing provision change access to childcare services? We study these questions using data from a randomized evaluation that subsidized childcare center use for women participating in a public works program in Burkina Faso. One quarter of eligible women use these childcare services, tripling childcare center use for zero-to six-year-olds in our sample. Household wealth significantly predicts childcare center use. However, the public works childcare centers increased access for disadvantaged households and young children. Women employed as childcare providers were also more likely to use the childcare centers.