Press Release: Parents face shortage of childcare services, says EU report

Childcare services in EU countries are failing to respond to the needs of parents, despite some progress, according to a report issued by the European Commission. The report found that most countries have missed the targets for childcare provision – for 90% of children between three and school age and 33% of children under three – that EU leaders set themselves at Barcelona in 2002. The 'Barcelona targets' are an integral part of the EU's strategy for growth and jobs and aim to help young parents – and in particular women – into work. Today's report formed part of a broader package of measures by the Commission to improve work-life balance for Europeans.

European Commission: MEMO/08/592: Childcare services in the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/592&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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