# Chilean Universal Daycare legislative process > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chilean-universal-daycare-legislative-process > Updated: 2026-09-30T00:07:03.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 7. The Chilean Universal Daycare project is currently undergoing legislative processing in the Chamber of Deputies for its second constitutional stage. The proposal seeks to gradually expand access to include independent workers who issue fee receipts (boletas de honorarios), provided they meet specific social security requirements. Implementation is designed to be progressive: the second year would include children of female independent and domestic workers, while the third and fourth years would expand to include certain independent fathers and other groups. A significant point of contention remains the financing of the initiative. To address funding hurdles and avoid the controversial use of Unemployment Insurance funds, the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras (CUT) has submitted a formal proposal to the Chamber of Deputies. The CUT suggests creating a ‘National Comprehensive Care Fund’ financed by a 0.20% contribution from large companies, supplemented by permanent fiscal support and a state guarantee of sufficiency. This model aims to protect workers' resources while ensuring small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not face additional costs. The legislative debate also continues to grapple with the Senate’s decision to define the right to daycare as belonging to children under the age of two rather than the worker. This shift has sparked discussions regarding parental autonomy and the state’s role in childcare. Under the current Senate-approved text, a dedicated Daycare Fund would finance enrollment and monthly fees, but if costs exceed the fund's contribution, employers would not be required to cover the difference, potentially leaving a remaining cost for the beneficiary. Recent hearings in the Chamber of Deputies have focused on further expanding the scope of the project. The initiative aims to extend childcare access to both dependent and independent workers by removing the current requirement for companies to employ at least 20 women to provide the service. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Mexico and Chile review labor reforms for paternity leave and childcare Legislators in Mexico and Chile are debating reforms to expand paternity leave and establish universal childcare access for workers. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-and-chile-review-labor-reforms-for-paternity-leave-and-childcare ### 2026-09-28: Chilean labor union proposes new fund for Universal Daycare Chile's CUT has proposed a National Comprehensive Care Fund to finance Universal Daycare without depleting Unemployment Insurance, amid legislative debates over child rights and employer obligations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-labor-union-proposes-new-fund-for-universal-daycare ### 2026-09-25: Chilean Congress debates Universal Daycare expansion for independent workers Chile's Universal Daycare project is moving through Congress, proposing a gradual expansion of benefits to include independent workers and domestic workers via a new dedicated fund. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-congress-debates-universal-daycare-expansion-for-independent-workers ### 2026-09-18: Chilean public shows strong support for Universal Childcare reform A Cadem poll shows 68% support for Chile's Universal Childcare project, with 84% favoring expanded rights for all working mothers to boost female labor participation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-senate-advances-universal-daycare-project ### 2026-09-16: Chilean poll: 62% view Universal Daycare as a child's right A Cadem poll shows 62% of Chileans view Universal Daycare as a child's right to early education rather than just a maternal labor benefit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-poll-62-view-universal-daycare-as-a-childs-right ### 2026-09-14: Chilean Universal Nursery Project faces funding and legal debates Chile's Universal Nursery Project faces legislative hurdles regarding its funding source and whether the legal right to childcare belongs to the worker or the child. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-universal-nursery-project-faces-funding-and-legal-debates ### 2026-09-09: Chilean Senate advances Universal Daycare project to Chamber of Deputies Chile's Universal Daycare project moves to the Chamber of Deputies after passing the Senate, though funding mechanisms and constitutional concerns regarding the benefit's scope remain unresolved. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-senate-advances-universal-daycare-project-to-chamber-of-deputies --- Cite as: Chilean Universal Daycare legislative process. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chilean-universal-daycare-legislative-process