This study forms part of the follow-up to the 2006 European Commission Communication on ‘Efficiency and Equity in European Education and Training Systems’ which explicitly refers to 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'.

The study examines the available cross-national data and national policies on early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Europe. It is structured in three parts, comprising: (1) a review of scientific literature on the impact of high quality education and care on young children; (2) a scene-setting chapter presenting 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.

Full report.

Press releases:

- European Press release:
- National Press release:
- Press memo: Press release from 16 February 2009
- Press release of 16 February 2009 - Education and care for young children: how European countries face today's challenges