Childcare Services Act Passed: A Step Forward for Children and Parents::最新消息(英)::Child Welfare League Foundation

Childcare Services Act Passed: A Step Forward for Children and Parents

Research & Advocacy

2026-04-30

After five years of advocacy, the Childcare Services Act was finally passed in its third reading by the Legislative Yuan on April 14th. In response, the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) sincerely thanks lawmakers from all parties, as well as the civic groups involved in the amendment process, for their collaborative efforts. We hope that once the new Act comes into effect, it will better support parents in balancing childcare and work, ensuring that children receive improved care.

Since 2021, CWLF has brought together scholars, experts, civic groups, and representatives from the childcare workforce to form a coalition dedicated to amending childcare legislation. Over the past five years, CWLF has consistently participated in consultation meetings organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and has hosted numerous civic group meetings focused on legislative reform. In 2024, the coalition formally proposed a draft of the Childcare Services Act and collaborated with legislators concerned about children’s rights to submit the draft for co-signature to the Legislative Yuan.

After a year and a half of waiting, the Childcare Services Act, which consists of 94 articles, has finally completed its legislative journey on April 14, 2026. CWLF highlighted that the civil sector, guided by the core values of "responding to children’s needs while easing parents’ childcare concerns," collaborated with the government to bring this childcare act to fruition. This amendment aims to establish a more comprehensive system for Taiwan’s childcare services, ensuring that children receive proper care and are treated with respect in various childcare settings.

CWLF noted that the Childcare Services Act, which passed its third reading on April 14, 2026, encompasses several important proposals and demands articulated by civil society. These contributions are summarized as follows:

Comprehensive Formulation of Childcare Policies and Staff Qualifications:

To ensure that childcare policies — including fees, subsidies, training, supervision, and inspections — are current and comprehensive, both central and local authorities should establish “Childcare Service Consultative Councils” and “Childcare Service Review Committees.” When discussions on childcare policies address Indigenous issues, representatives from organizations with experience in advocating for Indigenous children or providing childcare services to them should be invited to participate. Furthermore, it is clearly stated that the head of a childcare institution may serve on the committee only as a representative of a childcare organization and not in any other capacity.

Restrictions on Home-Based Childcare Providers During Care Hours:

To maintain the quality of home-based childcare services and ensure that young children receive appropriate care, the new law requires home-based childcare providers to remain focused on caregiving while children are in their care. Childcare providers must not engage in activities that could interfere with childcare services or leave children unattended.

Prohibition of Improper Conduct by Childcare Providers:

Childcare providers must not engage in physical or psychological abuse, corporal punishment, sexual harassment, or any other form of physical or psychological violence or mistreatment toward children.

Transparency in Childcare Facility Information is Essential:

Childcare facilities should actively share information, including staff licenses and certifications, enrollment numbers, management strategies, and fee structures for both enrollment and withdrawal. This information must be readily accessible for parents to review.

Amendments to Whistleblower Protection Provisions:

The amendments make clear that childcare providers and staff at childcare centers must immediately report any knowledge of illegal activity, and that whistleblowers’ identities must remain confidential. Any disciplinary action against whistleblowers for making such reports is expressly prohibited, helping protect the rights and interests of parents, children in care, and whistleblowers themselves.

Priority Access to Childcare for Children in Rural Areas and Those with Special Needs:

To better safeguard access to childcare for children living in rural areas and children with special needs, the new law requires the government to give priority to providing appropriate childcare services to children in outlying islands, rural and Indigenous communities, as well as children in adversity who require additional support due to cultural or ethnic factors.

Establishment of a Reward System for Outstanding Childcare Providers and Institutions:

Local governments shall provide rewards to recognize exceptional childcare providers and institutions.

Clarification of Parental Responsibilities:

Parents enrolling their children in childcare are required to regularly pay childcare fees, provide information regarding their child's physical and mental health, and submit up-to-date vaccination records. Additionally, parents of children with special needs are encouraged to actively engage with childcare providers in organizing parenting activities or case seminars to the best of their ability.

Establishing Community-Based and Tribal-Based Mutual Support Childcare Facilities:

Given the dispersed populations and limited resources in offshore islands, rural areas, and Indigenous communities, the new law allows community-based and tribal-based mutual support childcare facilities to be established in these areas. These facilities are intended to help meet children’s care needs while making better use of local caregivers and community support. With approval from the local government authority, these facilities may be co-located with early childhood education and care centers.

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