The present contribution will analyse the ECEC provision in Italy according to the cultural, institutional and professional areas of development. It is recognised that the history of ECEC in Italy can be conceptualised as a field of contrasts among different perspectives and policies, which sometimes finds a balance and produces innovative change.
Looking across periods, geographical differences have been constantly maintained: the metropolitan areas of Northern and Central Italy had developed a system of ECEC even before the establishment of the Unitary State (1861). In the Southern Italy, the public structure of early childhood services has not developed and its later implementation has been difficult and fragmentary.
Another line of discontinuity in ECEC provision is related to children's age: in Italy the 0-3 year ECEC is responsibility of the Regions; the 3-6 year schools are part of the National system of schooling. Notable exceptions are some Municipalities, which have developed and financially supported, an integrated provision as part of a public service of wellbeing for children and families.
