Subsidized childcare and child development in Colombia: Effects of Hogares Comunitarios de Bienestar as a function of timing and length of exposure

► We estimated effects of length of exposure to the largest public childcare program in Colombia on children's development. ► We found modest effects of the program on children's cognitive and socioemotional development but not on nutritional status. ► Scores on cognitive development were up to 0.3 SD higher for older children exposed to the HCB program 15 months or longer. ► Older children exposed to the HCB program for at least 15 months exhibited less withdrawal and isolation behaviors. ► The estimated benefit-cost ratio suggests that the HCB program may potentially afford beneficiaries a modest increase future earnings.