Polish political debate centers on childcare and the shared responsibility between families and the state. Critics contend that women are unfairly expected to care for children, while politicians argue that the system has long neglected nurseries and kindergartens, creating barriers for parents returning to work. This sentiment echoed during a nationwide tour led by Donald Tusk, who proposed a new policy aimed at supporting working mothers by easing childcare costs.
The plan, referred to as the grandmother’s allowance, would provide 1,500 PLN each month to every woman choosing to return to work after maternity leave. The primary goal is to help cover the cost of childcare and enable more parents to re-enter the labor market. This proposal is part of a broader push to expand public childcare options and reduce reliance on informal family care. [citation: wPolityce]
Investing in childcare infrastructure
Robert Biedroń, co-chair of New Left, emphasized in a media interview that a modern welfare state must prioritize the construction of more daycare centers and kindergartens. The message was clear: private markets have not sufficiently regulated childcare for years, and public investment is essential to ensuring accessible options for all families. [citation: wPolityce]
Advocates argue that simply providing a subsidy without expanding capacity is insufficient. The focus, they say, should be on creating reliable, affordable places for children under the age of three and beyond, with municipalities expanding slots so every family can find suitable care. [citation: wPolityce]
Access to nurseries and kindergartens remains a central issue for the region. Critics note that the system lagged behind other European Union peers and that more investment is needed not only to fund existing services but to grow the network of available spots, ensuring working parents have real choices. [citation: wPolityce]
Additionally, concerns about women’s roles in the workforce feature prominently in the debate. Advocates say it is vital to move away from the expectation that women must always bear caregiving responsibilities, stressing that women deserve agency over their careers. The state should provide support through high-quality childcare options, enabling mothers to decide when and if they return to work. [citation: wPolityce]
In this context, the grandmother’s idea is viewed by some as a misalignment with the real needs of families. Magdalena Biejat, co-chair of the Samen party, described the plan as a nonstarter that overlooks the practical challenges faced by women and families. She argued that merely injecting money does not address the shortage of early childhood placements or the geographic gaps where grandmothers do not live nearby. [citation: wPolityce]
Recent studies from the Polish Economic Institute indicate that discrimination against mothers in the labor market persists, with a notable share losing jobs or earning less due to motherhood. Proponents of targeted childcare investments contend that financial payments alone cannot fix these structural issues; broad system improvements are essential for meaningful progress. [citation: wPolityce]
Biejat also criticized the grandmother concept as shifting responsibility onto women and grandmothers, potentially reinforcing stereotypes about caregiving duties and failing to address the practical reality that many families live far apart. She stressed that a robust childcare network would reduce the need for informal caregiving and support gender equality in the workplace. [citation: wPolityce]
Supporters of the new policy argue that a well-designed system would allow women to choose between staying at home and returning to work based on their own preferences, circumstances, and the availability of childcare. The aim is to create a smoother transition back to the labor market, bolstering both personal careers and the national economy. [citation: wPolityce]
Those behind the proposal assert that when a mother returns to work, the economic contributions she makes begin to flow back into the state budget, potentially surpassing the value of a fixed monthly payment. The overarching promise is a win-win: families gain flexibility, children receive quality care, and public finances benefit from higher participation rates. [citation: wPolityce]
Ultimately, the debate centers on whether subsidizing care or expanding public childcare slots will best support families and advance gender equality. As policymakers weigh the options, the priority remains clear: reliable, affordable, and accessible childcare should be a cornerstone of the nation’s social policy. [citation: wPolityce]