news
slide

Nine Country Profiles highlight the need for greater attention to Early Childhood Development across Europe

Together with the other partners and national coordinators of the First Years First Priority Campaign, Eurochild launches a series of Country Profiles and an accompanying Cross Country Analysis highlighting a need for better data and greater investment in public policies for early childhood development (ECD).

Nine Country Profiles share data collected by national campaign coordinators in Bulgaria, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, and Spain. Each Profile provides a snapshot of the current state of ECD within the country and includes sections on six key areas – child poverty, maternal and child health and nutrition, child’s safety and security, early learning including early childhood education and care (ECEC), parenting and family support, and cross-sectoral coordination for ECD. These Profiles used the data to emphasize country priorities related to ECD.

Accompanying the Country Profiles, the Cross-Country Analysis, Snapshot of early childhood development data and policies in nine countries, synthesizes the data, providing essential insights into the findings across countries:

  • The scarcity of data on children in their early years – especially children under three – across policy areas, indicates insufficient knowledge of, and attention to, early childhood development
  • The limited or non-existent disaggregated data on the lives of young children under six – especially those under three – who are living in poverty and social exclusion hinders efforts to improve public policy and investment for young children facing multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities
  • There is a need to guarantee universal access to ECEC across countries, especially for the youngest and most vulnerable children
  • There is a need for an integrated multi-sectoral approach to early childhood policies and funding, with leadership and coordination that addresses children’s and families’ needs in a comprehensive way

There is widespread recognition that children’s early years are fundamental for their healthy development and wellbeing. Improved policy measures and public investment in early childhood are necessary to ensure every child has the best start in life. The Analysis highlights priorities that can help policymakers identify where to act. Initiatives such as the European Child Guarantee,  the Council Recommendation on High Quality Early Childhood Education and Care and the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child should be harnessed by governments to support early childhood development as a national priority. 

Read the Cross-Country Analysis here
Find the nine Country Profiles here




Related News/Events

slide
17 June 2025

Child poverty on the rise in Finland

Rising poverty and targeted cuts are worsening conditions for vulnerable families with children in Finland. The Child Population in Finland At the end of 2024, Finland had a population of…
read more
slide
7 May 2025

Early Childhood - Eurochild’s achievements in 2024

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan’s Pillar recognises early childhood development as a critical foundation for lifelong well-being and skills development. In 2024, Eurochild continued its crucial role…
read more
slide
28 March 2025

First statewide agreement to improve early childhood care and reduce waiting times approved in Spain

Plataforma de Infancia, Eurochild Spanish member, participates in the expert group that developed the first statewide agreement to improve early care. Since 2022, the Early Childhood Care Technical Group has…
read more