The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of childcare funding, particularly in Italy, where the crisis first struck hard. An analysis of local elections from 2016 to 2023 in small Italian municipalities without gender quotas reveals how male and female politicians approached childcare funding during this period. Prior to the pandemic, female mayors allocated more resources to childcare than their male counterparts. However, as the pandemic progressed, male mayors increased their spending on childcare, narrowing the gender gap in funding decisions. This trend of increased male spending on childcare continued even after the pandemic. The findings suggest a significant shift in how male and female politicians prioritize childcare funding in response to crises.