Children visit a water sports park in Fuyang district. [Photo/WeChat account: xiziwomen]

Hangzhou has taken steps to become more child-friendly, introducing new measures aimed at benefiting families across the city.

As of March 14, childcare service centers in Gongshu district have rolled out the nursling childcare service, catering to infants and toddlers aged six to 24 months. The service offers day care facilities for a monthly fee of 4,000 yuan ($553.5), providing amenities such as baby cots, diaper-changing tables, bath stations, bottle warmers, and breast milk refrigerators. With a ratio of three experienced kindergarten teachers per group of nine babies, every child receives personalized attention and care.

Furthermore, various urban areas within Hangzhou have initiated "4:30 pm school" programs aimed at enriching children's experiences and interests while offering support to parents who may struggle with picking up their children from school on time.

The Jinnan branch of the Lin'an district youth activity center has recently collaborated with the local community to introduce 10 engaging courses for children, including physical education, taekwondo, singing, bilingual reading, and science experiments.

In addition to educational initiatives, Hangzhou is working to create child-friendly neighborhoods that serve as vibrant spaces for children to learn, play, and socialize after school hours.

In 2023 alone, the city welcomed a total of 322 child-friendly spaces, including parks tailored for children, libraries stocked with children’s literature, and practice bases offering enriching activities for youngsters. The endeavors underscore Hangzhou's commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for its youngest residents and their families.

Yuhang Public Library offers a reading session for children. [Photo/WeChat account: xiziwomen]