Effect of the Demographic Composition in Local Councils and Advisory Boards on the Municipal Policy to Reduce Child–Practitioner Ratios in Childcare Centers

Abstract

This study aimed to examine whether demographic composition of the advisory boards regarding Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and local councils affects the municipal policy to reduce child–practitioner ratios in childcare centers. Cross-sectional data were collected through a survey of municipal sections responsible for childcare centers and a portal site of official statistics of Japan. Logistic regression analysis revealed a tendency of increasing probability for municipalities to have the policy for public and private childcare centers when the local councils have a higher proportion of women. In addition, municipalities with a higher proportion of female members on the advisory boards regarding ECCE are more likely to have a policy for public childcare centers. However, the inclusion of female practitioners in the advisory boards regarding ECCE is associated with a statistically significant decrease in adopting the policy. In summary, these results suggest the importance of policymakers’ demographical characteristics on ECCE policy. Future research should explore the mechanisms on why and how their attributes make a difference in ECCE policy.