Nursery World - More countries back state support for childcare

An analysis of childcare in 20 different countries by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has found growing support for the position that early childhood education and care should be seen as 'a public good'. The report, Starting Strong II, examines how policies, services, families and communities can support young children's early development and learning.

The report, Starting Strong II, examines how policies, services, families and communities can support young children's early development and learning.

It highlights a growing consensus that governments should invest in and regulate early years education and childcare.

'European governments, in particular, have put in place family and childcare policies to help couples have children and assist parents to combine work and family responsibilities,' it says.

Countries covered in the report are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the UK and the United States.

The review of the UK mainly focuses on England. It says'significant'

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