Curricula and Programs for Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2026/2027

This document focuses on one of the key elements of high-quality early childhood education systems—the curricula that shape what children learn and experience, from defining developmental goals to proposing age-appropriate activities. It provides a concise overview of curricula for early childhood education across Europe, highlighting which countries adopt an integrated approach covering the entire early childhood education phase, and where gaps still exist. The document includes a comprehensive list of curricula and programs by country, with titles and links to full documents, as well as an overview of the latest policy developments in this area. Common priorities across Europe include a stronger focus on core competencies and cross-curricular themes such as digital education, sustainable development, and civic education, alongside efforts to strengthen child-centered, inclusive approaches, child well-being, and children's rights. This report is based on data from education system indicators—Early Childhood Education and Care.