This report makes an argument for public investment in universal childcare in Barbados; specifically, it explores the potential effects and benefits of investing in universal childcare. Effective provision of universal childcare is defined as one that eliminates barriers to equitable access and participation. In Barbados, the childcare services market consists of both public and private childcare service providers. There are 15 public, government-run daycare centres, which are heavily subsidised by the government. The price of public childcare is BBD 20 per week, less than 15 percent of the total per-user childcare costs to the government. Government spending on childcare represented less than 0.3 percent of total government expenditures between 2017 and 2019.