This paper evaluates the impact of Quebec’s universal childcare program, which introduced a $5 per day subsidy for childcare for children aged 0-4 in 1997. The program aimed to increase access to subsidized childcare and examine its effects on maternal labor supply, child outcomes, and family well-being. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), the study compares outcomes in Quebec with those in the rest of Canada before and after the policy change. The results show a significant increase in childcare utilization in Quebec, with the proportion of children in care rising by 14 percentage points compared to the rest of Canada. This increase was associated with a rise in maternal labor force participation, with participation rates increasing by 7.7 percentage points. However, the increase in childcare use was partly offset by a reduction in informal childcare arrangements, leading to a smaller net increase in childcare use. The study also finds negative effects of the policy on child outcomes, including increased aggression, lower motor and social skills, and worse health. Parenting quality also declined, with parents reporting more hostile and inconsistent behavior. These findings suggest that the policy may have had adverse effects on children and parents, despite the intended benefits of increased access to childcare. The paper also discusses the broader implications of childcare policy, including the potential for public financing to crowd out private childcare and the importance of considering the quality of care. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the long-term effects of childcare policies on child development and family well-being.This paper evaluates the impact of Quebec’s universal childcare program, which introduced a $5 per day subsidy for childcare for children aged 0-4 in 1997. The program aimed to increase access to subsidized childcare and examine its effects on maternal labor supply, child outcomes, and family well-being. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), the study compares outcomes in Quebec with those in the rest of Canada before and after the policy change. The results show a significant increase in childcare utilization in Quebec, with the proportion of children in care rising by 14 percentage points compared to the rest of Canada. This increase was associated with a rise in maternal labor force participation, with participation rates increasing by 7.7 percentage points. However, the increase in childcare use was partly offset by a reduction in informal childcare arrangements, leading to a smaller net increase in childcare use. The study also finds negative effects of the policy on child outcomes, including increased aggression, lower motor and social skills, and worse health. Parenting quality also declined, with parents reporting more hostile and inconsistent behavior. These findings suggest that the policy may have had adverse effects on children and parents, despite the intended benefits of increased access to childcare. The paper also discusses the broader implications of childcare policy, including the potential for public financing to crowd out private childcare and the importance of considering the quality of care. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the long-term effects of childcare policies on child development and family well-being.