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The paper discusses the extent to which the demand for childcare is covered, the importance attached to childcare services within the national context, and the policies developed at the national level to improve the provision of childcare facilities. The EC reports there are differences between countries and between regions in the same country. The demand for childcare is usually better covered in urban areas than in rural areas.



The EC advocates for affordable and good-quality childcare services as they may improve the reconciliation of work and family life and thus foster labour market participation and gender equality. Childcare facilities may also help increase fertility rates, by lowering the cost of childbearing in terms of labour market and career opportunities. The report says that the “importance of providing childcare services has also been recognised at the EU level. At the Barcelona Summit in 2002, some explicit conclusions and targets were defined with regard to the provision of childcare services. Confirming the goal of full employment, the European Council agreed that Member States should remove disincentives to female participation in the labour market and strive to provide childcare by 2010 to at least 90 % of children between 3 years old and the mandatory school age and at least 33 % of children under 3 years of age”.



To read the full report please click on “Related files”.