A study focused on the impact of formal childcare use on fertility intentions and behaviors among native and migrant women in Italy reveals significant findings. It highlights the challenges posed by Italy’s familistic welfare system, which affects work-family reconciliation and female workforce participation, particularly for migrant women who often face precarious employment and higher fertility rates. The research addresses whether formal childcare for one child positively influences a mother’s intention and behavior to have more children and if these effects differ by migration background. Utilizing data from the 2012 Birth Sample Survey, the study employs multinomial logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between childcare usage and fertility intentions relative to migration background, migratory generation, and partner’s nationality. Results indicate that mothers using formal childcare, whether stable or occasional, are more likely to exhibit positive fertility behaviors compared to those with unmet childcare needs. Notably, native mothers with formal childcare show higher short-term fertility intentions than their migrant counterparts, while natives with unmet needs are less likely to have additional children compared to migrants. The findings underscore that, while formal childcare has a limited impact on fertility, addressing unmet childcare needs is crucial in shaping fertility decisions.