Chilean Congress debates Universal Daycare expansion for independent workers

The Universal Daycare project is currently undergoing legislative processing in the Chilean Congress. Following approval by the Senate on September 8, 2026, the initiative has moved to the Chamber of Deputies for its second constitutional stage.

The proposal aims to gradually expand access to daycare benefits to include independent workers who issue fee receipts (boletas de honorarios), provided they meet specific social security requirements. The implementation is designed to be progressive: the second year of the law would include children of female independent workers and domestic workers, while the third and fourth years would expand to include certain independent fathers and other beneficiary groups.

A dedicated Daycare Fund would be created to finance enrollment and monthly fees at participating establishments. The funding amount may vary by region based on local costs. If the cost of a daycare center exceeds the fund's contribution, the Senate-approved text specifies that employers would not be required to cover the difference, potentially leaving a remaining cost for the beneficiary.