Policy Hub
On 18 July 2005, the Daycare Trust published a study (Learning with other countries: International models of early education and care) which shows international best practice in the way in which early education and childcare services are designed and delivered. The paper features articles by experts in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Flanders in Belgium, New Zealand, and the UK.
Those countries which have made universal access to high-quality, affordable childcare a reality, spend between 1% and 2% of GDP on services, but also cap parental costs at no more than a third of their actual cost. Britain currently spends 0.54% of GDP on early education and care (around £6.4bn in 2004/05), including parental leave payments. In addition, parents pay around 75% of the costs of childcare, the highest proportion in Europe.
A hallmark in each country featured in the report is the child-centred design of services, based on a concept of access to a learning and caring environment being a right for all children, rather than simply a facility designed to help parents balance work and family life.
As well as describing service design and delivery in
each country, the paper features overviews of
international policies on early years, by Professor
Peter Moss from the Institute of Education and John
Bennett from the OECD (Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development).
A press summary and some key features of education and care provision in
different countries can be viewed on the
Daycare Trust website