Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Europe 2025

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Europe – 2025. Overview of key areas identified in the Council recommendation on high-quality early childhood education and care systems – …. access, governance and funding, staff, curriculum, and evaluation and monitoring – . across 39 education systems in the EU and neighbouring countries. . . The number of children under age 6 is decreasing in the EU-27. This image illustrates the decreasing number of children under age 6 in the EU-27 over time. The map of Europe is overlaid with illustrations of children playing or moving. The following figures are displayed: 27 million children in 2013, 25 million in 2023, and a forecasted 24 million in 2030. Additionally, a speech bubble states that in 2023, 5.6 million children under age 6 in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This means nearly one in four children face significant challenges, such as issues with nutrition, healthcare, and educational opportunities, impacting their development and well-being. Few European education systems guarantee ECEC immediately at the end of childcare leave. An infographic highlighting the gap between childcare leave and guaranteed early childhood education and care. Worried parents with a baby are shown on one side, while a child on a slide and an educator with a baby represent a smooth transition. A bridge symbolises the coordinated policies in Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Under the bridge, a...