Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a basic right for all children and a foundation for lifelong learning. It plays a critical role in reducing inequalities and enhancing women’s participation in the workforce. This third edition of Key data on early childhood education and care in Europe aims to help build accessible, inclusive and high-quality ECEC systems by providing policymakers, researchers and parents with detailed data and examples of ECEC policies across Europe.

The first part of the report includes indicators on access, governance, funding, staffing, curricula and monitoring, showing how these areas are connected. New additions since the previous edition include insights into inclusion, funding, staff working conditions, and salaries. The curriculum section now addresses topics such as sustainability education, digital awareness and safety, and early foreign language learning, to meet the changing needs of young children.

The second part of the report delivers a national perspective, with information sheets that outline the main features of each ECEC system, including structural diagrams for easy reference.

The report covers 37 European countries: the 27 Member States of the EU, plus Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.

You can also consult our visuals on the system-level indicators on early childhood education and care which explore the main aspects of the situation in Europe regarding the right to affordable ECEC of good quality for all children.

Have also a look at the previous version of Key data on early childhood education and care of 2019.