The Effect of Compulsory Preschool Education on Maternal Labour Supply
利用巴西2009年强制学前教育改革，发现学前教育使无更幼子女且不与亲戚同住的母亲增加工作时间、减少家务，并更可能获得有保障的工作，但对有其他子女或与亲戚同住的母亲无影响。
The Brazilian government implemented the school reform that mandated preschool education compulsory in 2009. I exploit discontinuities in the preschool eligibility rules to examine the effects of preschool enrolment on mothers’ labour market outcomes. I found that preschool enrolment significantly increased the time spent working rather than performing household chores among mothers living without additional younger children and other relatives. Moreover, these mothers were more likely to take the jobs that guaranteed employee rights and benefits. However, I found no effects among the mothers who have an additional younger child and/or live with other relatives. Taken together, the findings reveal a potential benefit of lowering school entry age in a context where limited availability of early childhood education constrains mothers’ labour market activities.