Russia had the same support system (though lesser quality), but it endured to some degree even today. Unfortunately, it's so underfunded that there are waiting lists and rampant corruption that one has to endure in order to get a spot for the child. Moscow (as usual) is better off than the rest of the country, but even there it's a problem.

Living in US, that's a huge contrast for me and I'm not entirely sure what options are out there aside from paying private.