Excerpts from the report:
In March 2002 the European Council, meeting in Barcelona, took the initiative of inviting Member States to "remove disincentives to female labour force participation and strive, taking into account the demand for childcare facilities and in line with national patterns of provision, to provide childcare by 2010 to at least 90% of children between 3 years old and the mandatory school age and at least 33% of children under 3 years of age". These "Barcelona objectives" form an integral part of the European Strategy for Growth and Employment and are intended to increase the rate of employment of young parents, especially women, and thus help achieve greater gender equality.
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This report reviews the progress made towards achievement of the Barcelona objectives in the Member States and identifies the obstacles and challenges with regard to the development of childcare facilities for pre-school-age children.