Assessment of Childcare Service Needs for Companies and Their Employees in Mexico’s Industrial Zones

The lack of affordable childcare services for the Mexican population is one of the main obstacles to women’s participation in the labor force. In industrial areas where incompatible work schedules and shifts make it difficult to balance childcare responsibilities and work, women’s entry into and continued participation in the formal labor market are negatively impacted.

ICRW-Americas conducted this assessment to identify the childcare service needs of companies and their employees in the industrial zones of Nuevo León and the State of Mexico, with the aim of proposing a funding model that is viable for both the government and the private sector.

This research is part of an agreement between the Mexican Social Security Institute and the Ministry of Economy—which have committed to establishing Corporate Childcare and Education Centers (Centros de Educación y Cuidado Infantil—CECI) in industrial zones—to provide evidence for feasibility and impact analyses that will encourage companies to invest in this infrastructure. Although the focus is on childcare centers, this research explored other services, such as lactation rooms, lactation training, and rest areas.