Childcare on the increase in Europe

Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour Parties across Europe are pledging to improve pre-school childcare following the launch of the Party of European Socialists campaign for universal pre-school childcare.

In Paris on Sunday 11 February Ségolène Royal unveiled her 100 point Presidential program – including obligatory education for children aged three, and the setting up of a National Childcare Service which would give children and parents easier access to the full range of specialist and other services for children and families. 

In Ireland on Friday 9 February the Leader of the Irish Labour Party Pat Rabbitte announced his five commitments for change – for the Irish elections due in May – including pre-school education for all children. « We have been listening to parents and we understand the pressures that are on them to do the best they can for their children » said Pat Rabitte. « Balancing all these commitments and pressures is a huge task, and we believe that providing free pre-school education for one year would make a major impact on the quality of life of parents and their children. »

In Austria, the program of the new coalition Government led by Social Democrat Alfred Gusenbauer includes clear proposals for the improvement of early childcare facilities with a nationwide educational plan for kindergartens. The plan includes early language learning to facilitate the integration of all children. It is also proposed to focus the last year of kindergarten on preparation for primary school.

In the Netherlands, childcare is a key issue for the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA) who say that “Living together starts with playing together”. In the new government agreement the PvdA and its two coalition partners agreed to invest more money in improving the quality of childcare and making it cheaper for parents. 

At the PES Congress in December 2006 Europe’s Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour Parties unanimously adopted 10 principles for a New Social Europe – including universal childcare. The resolution stated “European countries should move towards childcare for all who want it.” 

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Childcare is a basic requirement for the 21st century family and must form part of a modern welfare state. I am encouraged by the prominence being given to childcare by our member parties since the launch of our campaign. I have no doubt that these important commitments will be followed up by further initiatives by other Parties in our political family.”