Policy Brief
The Policy Brief: Advancing Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe highlights the crucial importance of early childhood education and care (ECEC) as a foundation for children’s long-term success. It emphasizes that, despite 92% of children between the ages of 3 and primary school age in the EU attending preschool education, significant challenges remain in ensuring universal access and consistent quality of services. The European Commission has set a target of reaching 96% participation by 2030, stressing the importance of quality alongside mere availability of services.
The document proposes a holistic approach to improving ECEC in Europe, recognizing that aspects such as stimulating learning environments, collaboration between schools and families, development of foundational skills, investment in teacher training, and democratic governance are interconnected and essential for children’s well-being and development. By implementing these recommendations, the goal is to ensure that every child has the best opportunities in their educational journey from the very beginning.
