It is a crisp January morning in Lyon, the streets are still and quiet as little Alix, bundled up in her winter coat is headed for her first day at the crèche. In Stockholm, Emil is repeating the numbers, “noll, en, två”, to his grandfather as they head to his förskola. Markus, in Dresden, is looking forward to telling his Krippe playmates about the slope he braved on the sled yesterday, while in Valetta, Eliza is entering her vibrant nursery, giving her dad a quick hug before melting into the crowd of buzzing children. Once the door closes behind them, the journeys these children embark on every day go far beyond play – they are engaging in activities that lay the essential groundwork for their future...Check out the latest #EurydiceEU Focus On Article on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and the role it plays in shaping the development of young children. This follows the publication of the Network's report: "Key data on early childhood education and care in Europe - 2025".