Children in nursery schools: Emilia-Romagna is racing ahead, having already exceeded the EU target of 45 per cent by 2030

In Emilia-Romagna, during the 2026–27 academic year, 45.9 per cent of children aged between 0 and 3 (38,649 children) attend early-years services. The region has thus exceeded, four years ahead of schedule, the 45 per cent target set by the EU for 2030. The result was presented at a press conference at the Regional Government by Isabella Conti, Councillor for Welfare, Children’s Policies and Education, and Davide Baruffi, Councillor for the Budget, Mountain Areas and Inland Regions.

This result, they explained, “is the outcome of the decision to prioritise regional early-years policies through two key measures: reducing, or eliminating, the cost of services for families, and increasing the number of places available”. “The fact that we have exceeded the European target for nursery coverage well ahead of schedule clearly illustrates the Region’s commitment to investing consistently in nurseries as a fundamental part of the infrastructure for children’s development, support for families and the quality of the future,” they emphasised.

The strategy is supported by funding from the regional ESF+ programme, which has risen from 24 million euros in 2022 to 37 million 187 thousand euros this year, representing a 55 per cent increase. Of the total resources, 29.7 million is earmarked for reducing fees (of which 13 million 621,608 is specifically for mountain municipalities and inland areas), and 7.4 million is aimed at expanding and consolidating provision to gradually reduce waiting lists. Under the new regional call for proposals, a total of 6,956 places have been supported this academic year across 233 municipalities and municipal associations, of which: 5,564 with reduced fees, 924 new places – representing a 27 per cent increase compared with last year – and 468 consolidated places.