* Education is “colonising” early years services in several European states, according to Dr Bronwen Cohen, director of Children in Scotland. “The reinvention of schools is a big issue across Europe,” she said.
Sweden is the latest country to take educational control of pre-fives’ services in line with Spain and Portugal.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has described as “disappointing” the progress on childcare. Provision is patchy and there is often little attention to quality.
Donald Dewar, the Scottish Secretary, has promised a Green Paper on a Scottish childcare strategy in the coming weeks.
