The World Bank and Government of The Gambia are engaging in research to better understand childcare in The Gambia. It will entail qualitative and quantitative research to understand the supply and demand sides of childcare from multiple perspectives and inform cross-sectoral activities that the Government can implement with the support of the World Bank.Specifically; this research activity will collect primary data using a national household survey; key informant interviews; and focus group discussions to understand the childcare arrangements and perceptions in The Gambia; with a particular focus on childcare needs; time use patterns; children's wellbeing; and childcare provider conditions.The study will aim to capture the factors driving or constraining demand for childcare services; including social; cultural and economic factors; social norms; quality and safety standards expected by families; and the role of domestic workers; informality and intra-household distribution of work. It will also be expected to help identify the factors that could affect the demand for childcare services in The Gambia; such as price; household composition; age of the child; level of the mother’s education; dual income; men’s attitudes towards childcare; hours of operation; and distance to the center; among others. The study will place a special emphasis on time use patterns within households to examine how paid and unpaid work is distributed and how these patterns relate to childcare provision; women’s engagement in paid work/further education; and children’s wellbeing.In addition to the collection of survey data; the study will include key informant interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders; including beneficiaries of childcare services; young mothers currently furthering their education; beneficiaries of social safety net programs; and members of government and civil society to provide additional insights and enrich the quantitative analysis.