China is rolling out upgraded national standards for maternity matrons and nannies to address shifting demographics and encourage childbirth. Starting March 1, 2025, these guidelines aim to boost the quality of postpartum and early-childhood care services, offering parents more professional and personalized support.
What’s Changing?
Maternity matrons (yuesao), who assist new mothers and infants post-birth, will now follow stricter training and service protocols. Meanwhile, nannies (yu'ersao) caring for kids aged 0–3 must focus not just on basics but also emotional support and early education. Think of it as ‘gentle parenting meets professional expertise.’
Why Now?
With an aging population and declining birth rates, China’s State Council has prioritized policies to ease parenting burdens. Recent measures include subsidies, longer maternity leave, and expanded childcare facilities—part of a broader push to create a ‘birth-friendly’ society.
Expert Insights
‘These standards meet demands for secure, individualized care while ensuring oversight,’ said Zhang Boyu, a domestic service standards expert. The rules also emphasize psychological well-being, reflecting modern parenting trends.
From scrapping the one-child policy in 2021 to backing third-child households, China’s demographic strategy is evolving—and these new standards are its latest move to support young families.
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