Due to the coronavirus epidemic, this year's Children's Day is different from the previous ones. We do not have to give up celebrations as long as we maintain all the sanitary rules.

- Children's Day is a great holiday and a great opportunity to have fun together, spend time with your loved ones. No matter how old our children are or if they have their own children, their happiness is always the most important thing for us. Their smile can brighten up even the darkest day - says Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy. – Today we can all feel like a child - full of hope, enjoying the smallest things. Regardless of the age, it is worth to nurture the child-like join within us, as it makes it easier to go through life and enjoy each day - she adds.

Support for families is a dream come true for the children

From the very beginning, family was the priority of the government of the United Right. The best proof of that is the “Family 500+” programme launched on 1st April 2016, i.e. PLN 500 per month granted for the second and each subsequent child in the family, and in the case of low-income families - also granted for the first and only child. 1st July  2019 brought another great change. Since then, the program has been operating in a new, extended version, and parental benefit is granted for each child (including all children who remain in care and educational institutions), regardless of family income.

Over PLN 108 billion has already been allocated to Polish families since the programme has been launched. These funds allow families to invest in the future and fulfil their children's dreams. At the time when it was still possible, we held regular meetings and talked with parents. There is no doubt that the “Family 500+” programme has improved the financial situation of families who can afford much more now than just a few years ago. That is mostly beneficial to children. This shows that we are heading in the right direction, Polish citizens are using this money wisely - emphasizes Minister Marlena Maląg.

We have also introduced the “Good Start” programme, i.e. PLN 300 for a starter kit for each child who attends school. This support covers approximately 4.5 million school students and relieves the home budget of increased expenditures at the beginning of the school year.

Discounts for families

The Large Family Card is another form of support granted to families. It is a system of discounts granted by nearly 6.9 thousand partners in over 26 thousand locations throughout Poland. Since 2019, the Large Family Card was provided to all parents who have ever had at least three children.

Today, over 974,000 large families use the Large Family Card.

- Discounts are granted not only by many stores - ranging from clothing shops, bookstores to toy stores, but also by cinemas, museums and theme parks. The gradual unfreezing of the economy means that we can already utilise some of the discounts, while the remaining businesses which grant such discounts will open in the near future. These businesses include various kinds of attractions for younger and older children - indicates the Head of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

The availability of professional care

“Toddler+” is a programme in support of the development of institutions providing care to the youngest children by providing funding for the creation of new care facilities such as nurseries or children's clubs and supporting existing ones. Since 2018, PLN 450 million have been allocated to the programme each year. The number of places increases each year due to the programme.

Approximately 6.3 thousand care institutions for toddlers are currently active in Poland. The offer a total number of approximately 182.5 thousand care spots.

- The increasing availability of childcare facilities allows parents to better reconcile family life with professional responsibilities. Good, professional care takes the burden off the parents and ensures that the children remain happy says Minister Marlena Maląg.