Rules and regulators
Pakistan has no national childcare programme. Katchi, the informal pre-primary class attached to government primary schools, admits children of around four to five, and private preschools operate in urban areas without a comprehensive licensing regime. Provincial labour laws require day care at some larger workplaces, but enforcement is limited. Care of under-fives is overwhelmingly provided by mothers, grandmothers and other female relatives within the household.
Pakistan follows the regional pattern. Places start to appear around the age of four, while under-threes have almost nothing, so households fall back on grandmothers, relatives or hired help. The price of this is hidden, since it is paid in unpaid work by the women of the family.
Price is a poor guide to private centres, because quality varies far more widely. Ask specific things instead: how many children each adult looks after, the length of service of the staff, access to a shaded yard, the routine after an injury, and whether an unannounced visit is acceptable.
A person employed in the home is an employee under the law, not someone doing a favour. Put the terms in writing, fix the hours, pay at least the applicable minimum wage and register for social security: this protects both sides, and fair terms tend to last longest.
The essentials
| Pre-primary | Publicly run or subsidised, availability depends on the area |
|---|---|
| Under 3 | Formal provision is scarce; care is mostly by family or private day care |
| Private sector | Nurseries and crèches run privately, clustered in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad |
| Oversight | Provincial education and social welfare departments |
| Support | No across-the-board allowance; any tax relief or subsidy is the exception noted above |
| Domestic help | Frequently used; national labour law applies to it |
What to do
- Enquire at your local state school: it may have an early childhood or pre-primary class on site.
- Drop in unannounced at any private centre; note the adult-to-child ratio and the outdoor space.
- See the centre's licence or registration, and find out how an injury is handled.
- Employing someone at home means a written agreement and respect for the applicable labour rules.
- Remember that most private centres close over the long holidays, and plan cover.
Fees and public funding
State pre-primary, when you can get a place, is free or close to it; set aside money for uniforms, materials and the parent association levy. Private fees are roughly PKR 8,000 to 30,000 a month for urban private day care and preschool. If you hire a domestic worker for childcare, pay no less than the applicable minimum wage and the social security contributions that national law sets.
Recent developments
Provincial governments have expanded early childhood classes attached to government schools, which is the main route to wider coverage.
Useful offices
- Provincial education and social welfare departments
- Your district education office, which handles public pre-primary places
- Private crèches and nurseries on the register, in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad
- Community-run and faith-run early years centres
- Labour authorities, if you employ a domestic worker and need the rules
Keep in mind
Private day care is largely unregulated: ratios, staff training and safety arrangements have to be checked by parents themselves.
Questions parents ask
Is there public childcare for babies?
Not for babies. Public places begin at pre-primary age, and below three families turn to relatives or private day care.
What does private provision cost?
Roughly PKR 8,000 to 30,000 a month for urban private day care and preschool, and registration fees and materials come in addition.
What should I check before enrolling?
Check the licence or registration, the adult-to-child ratio, staff turnover, safety arrangements and the freedom to visit without notice.
Can I employ someone at home?
Yes. National labour law applies, which means written terms, at least the applicable minimum wage and mandatory social security registration.
Sources and official links
- Government of Pakistan — official government portal