There is a growing trend among countries toward universal access to early childhood education and care services. In several countries access to early childhood education and care is a legal right. The supply of services for children under three years does not meet current demand. Many countries have responded by expanding their infant and toddler programs and by introducing generous job protection and paid parental leave policies, thus assuring the option of infant care by a parent. Governments are increasingly recognizing that substantial public investment is necessary to support a quality system of early childhood education and care.
Most governments invest by subsidizing providers.
Raising the quality of early childhood education and care is at the forefront of policy priorities in most countries. Integration of childcare and early childhood education has become an increasingly strong trend among countries. There is a growing trend toward locating early childhood education and care policies and programs under public education auspices. Children from immigrant, racial or ethnic minority backgrounds are often under-represented in regular ECEC programs. In several countries, access to ECEC is a statutory right.