At a virtual presentation on February 17, 2026, organized by the Institute of Public Finance, Ana Marija Sikirić Simčić (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka) presented her article published in the journal Public Sector Economics. She identifies a persistent time gap in Croatia between the end of paid parental leave and eligibility for early childhood education and care services.

Starting from the fact that paid parental leave and accessible, affordable early childhood education and care services are key preconditions for retaining and returning mothers to the labour market, Sikirić Simčić highlights that many mothers face a care gap, which represents a significant organizational challenge for families. Her analysis indicates that it is primarily women who adjust their participation in the labour market, which aligns with Becker’s core premise of mothers disproportionately absorbing care burdens as a “rational” household efficiency strategy. The probability of a care gap is lower in larger local government units and for children born later in the year, further indicating that not all children have equal opportunities for participation in education and care.

To overcome these limitations and support a better work-life balance for families in the short term, local and central authorities should focus on expanding ECEC capacities and implementing continuous enrolment throughout the school year. In the medium term, policymakers should work to align the end of paid parental leave with the availability of ECEC places, and long-term, structural reform that invests in universal, high-quality ECEC should become a strategic priority, recognising its foundational role in both early education and gender equality.

The presentation was moderated by Sara Čulo, assistant at the Institute of Public Finance. Presentation and a recording are also available.