Early childhood education and care has two different stages based on child age groups.

Provision for children aged 0-3 years, offered by nurseries (Nidi d’Infanzia)', previously called  (Asili nido), is not part of the education system and, thus, is outside of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). The educational function of public nurseries, as opposed to the merely utilitarian aspect of the service they provide for families, was established through central regulations in 1971 (law n. 1044/1971). ECEC services are run directly by the municipalities, in accordance with general criteria defined at regional level.

Provision for children over 3 years of age is called scuola dell'infanzia. It is part of the education system and falls under the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education, although institutions providing pre-primary education are run at local level, not only by the State, but also by the municipalities and the private sector. This level of education is not compulsory and lasts up to three years (from 3 to 6 years of age).

The state or paritaria Scuola dell’infanzia for all children of three to six years of age meets their right to education and care, in accordance with the principles of cultural and institutional pluralism expressed in the Constitution of the Republic, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and documents of the European Union. It aims at promoting the development of children’s identity, autonomy, competence and initiating them to citizenship. Such aims are pursued through an  organisation of life environment, relationships and quality learning, guaranteed by the professionalism of the operators and the social and educational dialogue with the families and the community. (National guidelines for the curriculum of pre-primary education and the first cycle of education – Indicazioni nazionali per il curricolo della scuola dell’infanzia e del primo ciclo di istruzione – Ministerial Decree no. 254/2012).