Take Denmark. The centre-piece of the Danish childcare system is a guaranteed daycare place for children from the age of six months until they start school at six years. It is available to all parents, and covers the period 8am to 6pm, plus school holidays. Ninety-seven per cent of children between the ages of three and five, and 91 per cent of those aged between one and two, are enrolled in daycare, with the vast majority in full-time care.
The cost of childcare to parents is capped at 25 per cent of the unit price of provision. Childcare is entirely free for parents on the lowest incomes. Although the price varies from place to place, in practice, parental fees are capped at around 3,000kr (£300) a month for under-twos and 2,000kr (£200) a month for children aged three to five.
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