Across the EU, migrant children face various barriers in accessing quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). At the same time, research shows that targeted early-years measures supporting migrant children would reduce future need for expensive remedial education and social services.
A OECD report published in January 2025, ‘Reducing inequalities by investing in early childhood education and care‘, observes that both personal and environmental factors influence participation in ECEC for these children. Some barriers to participation are direct, relating to the availability, accessibility and affordability of ECEC services. Other, indirect barriers include complex administrative requirements, lack of awareness of ECEC benefits, social norms and low levels of trust in provision quality.
How can barriers to ECEC participation be overcome for migrant children?
The OECD report finds that targeted policies that help convey information between families and institutions, and ensure support for parents during the enrolment process, can promote ECEC access. Additionally, raising awareness of ECEC benefits for child development can help to shift attitudes. Elsewhere,research conducted in Finland found that focus on migrant children’s language learning and play improve children’s willingness to participate.
In 2023 the Network of experts working on the social dimension of education and training (NESET) – an initiative of the European Commission (EC)’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture – published a report on working with multilingual children and families in ECEC. It notes that ECEC professionals play a crucial role in the education of migrant children and must therefore receive adequate support to develop the necessary complex knowledge, skills and competences.
Supporting ECEC for migrant children across the EU
The EC already facilitates cooperation on early childhood education between the EU countries. The Practical toolkit for inclusive early childhood education and care (ECEC), for example, was published by the EC in February 2021 under the 2021-2027 Action plan on integration and inclusion. The toolkit offers policy measures and practices meant to benefit all migrant children and defines a targeted approach for those with specific needs.
Good practices in ECEC can already be identified in several EU countries:
- In Germany, the Stadtteilmütter (“District Mothers”) outreach initiative works to improve ECEC participation through community involvement. Stadtteilmütter trains mothers from migrant communities to support fellow parents in accessing essential services for their children, including education. So far it has engaged families from 15 different language backgrounds, conducting over 15 000 home visits.
- In Berlin, where a large share of children in the education system have an immigrant background, specialised ECEC curriculum “Bridging Diversity” has been in place since 2004. Inclusivity and respect for diversity are core components of the curriculum, with staff supported to promote these values among their students.
- In Denmark, the Kringlebakken project supports the early integration of migrant mothers and their children up to the age of 3. Largely funded by Copenhagen Municipality, the project sees its services as a stepping stone for these children before they enter Danish kindergarten, offering them a safe space to learn alongside their mothers.
- In France the ANVITA (National organisation for welcoming cities and territories, ‘Association Nationale des Villes et Territoires Accueillants‘), advocates for improved migrant hospitality and inclusion policies and comprises 76 national territories and municipalities. It has a working group on education which collaborates to promote access to pre-primary education (compulsory in France from the age of 3) for migrant children.
- The Turun Valkonauha Centre in Finland provides an information service that helps migrant families to access social and health services, including ECEC. Trained counsellors at the centre work with families to ensure they receive holistic support, thereby improving the likelihood of ECEC participation.
Find out more
EU funding and opportunities related to ECEC for migrant children
Early childhood education and care – European Education Area
