Actuellement, en dépit d'améliorations, la Commission observe que, d'après les indicateurs sur les soins aux enfants, l'offre de structures de garde peut varier très sensiblement d'un État membre à l'autre (par exemple pour les enfants de moins de 3 ans, 4% en Italie, 8,6% en Espagne, 77% en Suède).
The Barcelona European Council established objectives relating to the provision of childcare facilities. By 2010, places should be available for 90% of children between the age of three and the age at which schooling is compulsory and for 33% of children under three. Currently, and despite improvements, the Commission notes that, according to childcare indicators, the provision of nursery places may vary significantly from one Member State to another (for example, for children under three, the respective figures are: 4% in Italy, 8.6% in Spain and 77% in Sweden).