Dear colleagues, The Department of Economics cordially invites you to the WU Economic Research Seminar (Department Seminar) on Wednesday, January 29, with Philipp Lergetporer (CESifo Munich) on The Effects of Information and Assistance for Parents on Childcare Applications and Take-Up - Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial Early childcare is an essential tool to support child development. Although research suggests that children from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) benefit most from childcare, their take-up rates tend to be relatively low. This paper investigates whether alleviating informational and behavioral barriers can foster childcare usage among low-SES families. In our randomized controlled trial, we randomly provide parents of young children in two medium-sized German cities with information and application assistance. Our baseline data show substantial SES gaps in parents' preferences and beliefs: Low-SES parents prefer later childcare entry than their high-SES counterparts. Low-SES parents are also less informed about central facts of the childcare system, such as their legal claim for a childcare slot. In our post-treatment survey, we investigate the causal effects of information and assistance on these SES gaps. Time and place: Wednesday, January 29, 4.30 - 6.00 p.m., Campus WU, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, building D4, entrance A, 2nd floor, Department meeting room 2.008. With best regards, Harald Oberhofer --- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Harald Oberhofer Institute for International Economics WU Vienna University of Economics and Business Phone: +43/1/31336-4984 Fax: +43/1/31336-4984 Email: harald.oberhofer@wu.ac.at<mailto:harald.oberhofer@wu.ac.at> Webpage: https://www.wu.ac.at/ie/mitarbeiter/harald-oberhofer/ Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) Phone: +43/1/7982601-468 Fax: +43/1/7989386 Email: harald.oberhofer@wifo.ac.at<mailto:harald.oberhofer@wifo.ac.at> Webpage: http://www.wifo.ac.at/harald_oberhofer