The pilot study.

TLDR: A randomized controlled experiment is designed to test whether access to affordable day care (in the form of subsidies, for example) would incentivize Saudi mothers to search actively for employment and to remain employed once they are hired.

Abstract: This pilot aims to better understand the market for childcare in Saudi Arabia – both the supply and demand sides – and to design a randomized controlled experiment to test whether access to affordable day care (in the form of subsidies, for example) would incentivize Saudi mothers to search actively for employment and to remain employed once they are hired. In addition, the study seeks to understand the degree to which employment early on in one’s life impacts employment in later stages. The pilot will provide information on the groups of women the experiment should target, appropriate levels for the childcare subsidy, and the quality and current geographic locations of daycare sites. Expected Impact Determine the effects of facilitating childcare access on Saudi women’s employment. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS  Boston University Patricia Cortes  Harvard University Claudia Goldin  Swarthmore College Jennifer Peck