From Homemakers to Breadwinners? How Mandatory Kindergarten Affects Maternal Labour Market Outcomes

Abstract

We analyse the effect of mandatory kindergarten attendance for four-year-old children on maternal labour market outcomes in Switzerland. Firstly, we use a non-parametric regression discontinuity design (RDD) to evaluate the effect of the reform at the birthday cut-off for entering the kindergarten in the same versus in the following year. Secondly, we exploit spatial variation and staggered treatment implementation of the reform across cantons and apply a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach. All in all, the results suggest that if anything, mandatory kindergarten increases the maternal labour market outcomes very moderately. The effects are driven by previous non-employed and older mothers.

Keywords: Mandatory kindergarten, maternal employment, regression discontinuity design, difference-in-differences, variable selection