Shandong Women's University has launched one of the nation's first undergraduate degree programs in infant development and health management, aiming to help young parents take better care of their toddlers.

The university is one of two in China to gain approval from the Ministry of Education in April to open undergraduate programs in the field. The other is Shaanxi Xueqian Normal University.

Government data shows that the country has about 30 million children under age 3, and more than 30 percent of families with children in that demographic are in need of child care.

In 2021, the vocational education major catalog included child care service for the first time, and many vocational universities have since offered degrees in infant care service and management.

Ji Yanhong, director of the infant development and health management program at Shandong Women's University's School of Education, said there is a structural shortage of professional child caregivers, with only 500,000 people nationwide holding certificates in child care service and fewer than 10 percent of them having bachelor's degrees or higher.

"With the rapid development of the industry, there is increasing demand for high-end child caregivers," Ji said.

The program enrolled 40 students in its inaugural class this year. The admission score within Shandong was 505, surpassing the entry scores for first-tier universities by more than 60 points. Of the 40 students, 38 are women, she said.

Highlighting the importance of early childhood, Ji said the first three years of life are a period of exceptional brain development. A supportive environment can greatly enhance development, while negative influences may have long-term effects.

"Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge of child growth patterns and the skills to promote healthy development," she said.

The program integrates four core fields: medicine, psychology, education and management. Unlike conventional preschool education programs, it includes specialized courses such as infant disease prevention and nursing, emergency response and injury prevention, and responsive caregiving — content specifically tailored for infants through 3 years of age, Ji said.

She outlined major advantages of the program, such as its interdisciplinary curriculum and strong industry-academia collaboration, ensuring students acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The university is equipped with simulated training on campus, hands-on practice at its affiliated nursery, and off-campus internships at partner organizations, she said.

Employment prospects for graduates appear to be broad. With the government promoting the construction of public child care facilities, particularly in populous counties and urban districts, there is a growing demand for professionals to work in child care service centers, community nurseries, early education institutions, and maternal and child health hospitals, Ji said.

When asked why the program was established amid declining birthrates, Ji responded: "It is precisely because of the demographic challenge that the country introduced policies in 2019 to strengthen infant and toddler care services. There is a shortage of well-trained, multidisciplinary talent in this field."

Dong Yuqi, 18, a freshman in the major, said: "I see the infant-to-age-3 period as the most critical window in human development. I want to use my knowledge to contribute to society and help build a stronger foundation for future generations."

"This profession is not just about caring for children — it's about applying expertise in management, community service and even entrepreneurship," said Bu Lingyu, another student in the major.

Contact the writers at zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn