WUNRN
Page includes Link to Full Report.
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE
AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BARCELONA
OBJECTIVES CONCERNING
CHILDCARE FACILITIES FOR PRE-SCHOOL
AGE CHILDREN
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. 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. _____________________________________________________________
EUROPEAN UNION FAMILY MINISTERS:
FOCUS NEEDED ON INTEREST OF CHILD, QUALITY CARE AND FREEDOM
FOR FAMILIES |
|
A very fruitful debate which took place during the meeting has shown that the Member States consider a debate on childcare to be very desirable.
Today’s meeting of Ministers for Family Affairs, held by the Czech Presidency in the context of implementation of horizontal support for families, which is a priority in EU policies, addressed the “Barcelona Objectives” which favour collective care facilities for small children.
The debate showed that the Member States differ in their opinions on how to support the reconciliation of family and employment, these differences stemming from their respective cultural, historical and political traditions and experiences. Most Member States confirmed their support for the Barcelona Objectives but said that they did not intend to finish their implementation by 2010. Some countries also stressed the need to respect the division of competences in the area of family policy.
The discussion has established a general consensus on several principles that should be taken into consideration simultaneously. The factor of the best interest of the child was emphasised as one of the solutions of the policy of reconciliation of family and employment. However, the perspectives of individual Member States on the definition of such interest differ. Consensus has been reached on the issue of taking into consideration the quality of care. At the same time, freedom of families, which should be “bi-directional” and should enhance various forms of childcare in accordance with the actual interest from parents and demand of the families, was generally accentuated. A number of countries have supported the need for social recognition on non-formalised and unpaid childcare, which is one of the conditions of fulfilling the objectives of equality between men and women.
The meeting of Ministers indicated that, despite the different perspectives of the individual Member States, a consensus has been reached that it is necessary to consider the best interest of the child, quality of care, freedom of families as well as demand when trying to reach the defined objectives. The launching of the discussion of the outlined topics of childcare and family policy was generally accepted in a very positive manner. The meeting has thus met the objective specified by the Czech Presidency.
================================================================
To contact the list administrator, or to leave the list, send an email to: wunrn_listserve-request@lists.wunrn.com.
Thank you.