CNA
In 2019, almost 97% of children between the age of 3 and the starting age of compulsory education at primary level were enrolled in early childhood education in the EU, according to data released today by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU.
Early childhood education (ISCED level 0) is one of the first opportunities children have to develop learning, critical thinking and collaborative skills. Early childhood as well as primary education play a key role in potentially redressing life chances through tackling inequalities and raising proficiency in basic competences.
Early childhood education programmes need to provide intentional educational activities over a sustained period. Intentional educational content at this age typically involves creative and play-based activities, which are led by pedagogically trained staff and are designed to develop childrenโs cognitive, language, physical and socio-emotional skills.
In 30 EU regions, all children participate in early childhood education. In Cyprus this rate was 90.1%.
Across the EU, around 3 out of 10 regions recorded a share above 96% (new 2030 target), while in 30 regions – predominantly located in Belgium, Ireland and France โ all children between the age of 3 and the starting age of compulsory education at primary level participated in early childhood education.
Last year has been challenging for many working parents due to the coronavirus pandemic. Balancing work and family responsibilities has been especially difficult for parents with young children.
In 2020, there were 195.4 million households in the European Union (EU). Almost one-third of these households (29%) had children living with them. Approximately 14% of households with children (7.8 million households) consisted of single parents, accounting for 4% of total households.
The share of single parents varied considerably from one country to another. Looking at the share of single-parent households among all households with children, six countries recorded a share of over 20% of all households with children: Sweden (34%), Denmark (29%), Estonia (28%), Latvia and Lithuania(both 25%) and France (21%).
In contrast, the lowest shares were registered in Croatia (5%), Romania (7%) and Finland (8%), while Greece, Slovakia, Malta, Poland, Spain and Slovenia all recorded 9%.
In Cyprus there were 23% of single adults without children, 20% couples without children, 18% other types of households without children and 3% households of a single adult with children, 23% couples with children and 8% other types of households with children. Out of all households with children, the single parent household with children share was 10%.
