The Effect of Compulsory Preschool Education on Maternal Labour Supply

Abstract

The Brazilian government implemented the school reform that mandated preschool education compulsory in 2009. I exploit discontinuities in the preschool eligibility rules to examine the effects of preschool enrolment on mothers’ labour market outcomes. I found that preschool enrolment significantly increased the time spent working rather than performing household chores among mothers living without additional younger children and other relatives. Moreover, these mothers were more likely to take the jobs that guaranteed employee rights and benefits. However, I found no effects among the mothers who have an additional younger child and/or live with other relatives. Taken together, the findings reveal a potential benefit of lowering school entry age in a context where limited availability of early childhood education constrains mothers’ labour market activities.