Why do Ukrainian refugees need childcare in their host countries?

Two years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, how are millions of Ukrainian women and their children adapting to life in their new host countries? Are they getting the support they need?

Access to childcare is a crucial step in the integration process. Euronews reporter Fanny Gauret travelled to Poland in this latest episode of Real Economy to hear from the women endorsing and benefiting from these childcare facilities.

Learning a new language, looking for a job or having one's qualifications recognised are just some of the challenges Ukrainian refugees face when trying to rebuild their lives elsewhere.

Ukrainian conscription laws prevent men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country, therefore, women who have fled with their families are often the sole caregivers to young children, making it near-impossible to secure employment in their host countries without childcare.

The Comenius Foundation, which was established in the early 2000s to provide better conditions for children in their early years, has 37 nurseries in Warsaw.

Not only have these 'spynkas' created safe spaces for refugee children to learn and play, they have also freed up time for Ukrainian mothers to find jobs in Poland.

"When we got here, my child barely spoke because of the stress but I see changes in my youngest son, he started to talk for the first time and communicate with other children... he has made friends here; we can say he is happy," Maria Odinets, a child psychologist, told Euronews.

Odinets fled Ukraine six months ago with her husband and three children and is hoping to have her diploma recognised in Poland so that she can find a job soon.

“It helps me because I now have free time from 09:00-15:00. During this time I can