The city hall of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, has taken a progressive step by opening a municipal school for the children of street vendors and recyclers working during the Carnival season. This pilot initiative responds to requests from the workers themselves, as highlighted by the Public Defender's Office of Minas Gerais (DP-MG), which advocated for the plan to be implemented by the city government. The goal is to offer child care support during a time when these individuals, particularly women, often struggle to find affordable alternatives for their children's care, leading to significant portions of their earnings being spent on childcare arrangements.

During discussions with the workers, representatives from various associations pointed out that approximately 50% of the income of women participating in Carnival activities is allocated to pay someone else to look after their children. Paulo Cesar Azevedo de Almeida, the strategic coordinator of collective guardianship at DP-MG, emphasized the gender bias in public care policies in Belo Horizonte, particularly during festive periods like Carnival. The feedback received from these working mothers illustrated the harsh realities they face as they navigate their obligations, which often present what he describes as a "tragic choice" between working during Carnival to earn a living and ensuring their children's care.

Despite the well-intentioned implementation of this school, attendance has reportedly been low. This outcome raises concerns regarding the outreach and support needed to ensure that these families are aware of and can access the services provided. The fact that the school is a pilot project also suggests the need for further evaluation and adaptation to better meet the needs of the community, ensuring that it becomes a sustainable and effective model for future Carnivals in Belo Horizonte and potentially in other Brazilian cities as well.