1. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Presented at a conference Eurydice: i sistemi educativi europei al traguardo del 2010 (MIUR, Roma) 2009 Sep 25 by Akvile Motiejunaite

2. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Pre-primary education has the highest returns in terms of the social adaptation of children. Member States should invest more in pre- primary education as an effective means to establish the basis for further learning, preventing school drop-out, increasing equity of outcomes and overall skill levels Commission Communication Efficiency and Equity in European Education and Training Systems (September 2006)

3. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Discusses publicly subsidised and accredited provision for children under compulsory school age Defines at risk children –children with disadvantages stemming mainly from socio-economic, cultural and/or language factors. The need arises from disadvantages attributable to these factors (OECD) Covers 30 countries of Eurydice network Refers to year 2006/2007 The study: definitions

4. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities (1)a review of scientific literature on the impact of high quality education and care on young children; (2)a summary of statistical data on relevant demographic characteristics of European families and the participation rates in ECEC; (3)a comparative analysis of policy measures based on information collected from national units of the Eurydice network. The study: structure

5. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities What does research tell us? ECEC benefits all children if intensive, early starting, child-focused, centre based + high qualified staff (specialised BA) + low staff/child ratios + parent involvement, family support

6. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities 12 % of total households Potential groups at-risk: –17 % of households on the poverty threshold (PL, LT, UK, EE, IT, PT, LU > 20 %) –Single parent households 9 % –Non-national children 3 % (~ethnic minority and immigrant?) European families with young children (under 6s) Combination

7. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities All countries have subsidised and accredited ECEC Limited or no for under 3s in CZ, EL, IE, NL, PL, UK, LI Separate model: childcare vs. education Unitary model: childcare with education Parental employment status catchments' area age universal access What is the current situation regarding ECEC in Europe?

8. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Model A: Unitary settings 0-1 year to 5-6 years with or without pre-primary classes Mix A + B Model B: Separate settings under 2-3 yearsover 2-3 years Main models of (accredited and subsidised) ECEC provision according to the age of children, 2006/07

9. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Italy: Separate settings Asilo nidoScuola dellinfanzia 0 3 6

10. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Upper or post secondary education Level and minimum duration of initial education and training for staff working with children under 2-3 years, 2006/07 Tertiary education Level and minimum duration of initial education and training for staff working with children over 2-3 years ( ISCED 0), 2006/07

11. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities 74 % 87 % 93 % 99.8 % Participation rate of children from 3-6 years by age in pre-primary (ISCED 0) and primary (ISCED 1) education, EU-27, 2005/06 Problematic access for: under-3s (no Eurostat data!) rural areas Large variation between countries

12. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SETTINGS Additional financial resources More favourable staff/child ratios Incentives for staff What is done for disadvantaged children? TO FAMILIES Decreasing costs SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES

13. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities family income and number of children Means of enhancing affordability of ECEC for the youngest, 2006/07 Free access in all subsidised and accredited services Level of fees paid for accredited public sector ECEC services adjusted according to Tax advantages available for use of accredited fee-paying ECEC services in the public sector criteria other than family size and income

14. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities PARENTAL SUPPORT POLICY MAKERS MAY HAVE A DIRECT INFLUENCE ON HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND CARE Intensive verbal interactions Cognitive stimulation Good climate Socialisation STAFF TRAINING Level Duration Skills required PROVISION Capacity/volume Age of access Staff ratio Fees Involvement In ECEC Reducing Cost GREATEST BENEFITS TO CHILDREN AT RISK

15. Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities Grazie! The report is available on www.eurydice.org www.eurydice.org