Early childhood is the stage at which education can most effectively influence children's development. The European Union therefore wants all young children to be able to access and benefit from high quality education and care. Reliable information on ECEC systems in Europe is essential in order to understand what challenges are facing European countries, what we can learn from each other, and what new solutions might be developed to meet the needs of the youngest members of society. This Eurydice Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care report aims to provide insights into what constitutes high quality early childhood education and care through policy-driven and internationally comparable indicators. It is published jointly with Eurostat and combines statistical data and system level information to describe the structure, organisation and funding of early childhood education and care in Europe. This is the second report on the topic, following a 2009 report that focused on tackling social and cultural inequalities through ECEC. Information has been collected from three different sources: the primary source being the Eurydice National Units, which have provided information on ECEC policy and practice. Eurostat has undertaken the preparation and production of statistical indicators. International student achievement surveys (Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)) are used to explore the connections between ECEC participation, student outcomes and student background. The reference year for all policy information is 2012/13. The main findings of the report highlight a number of issues of particular interest to policy-makers and refer readers to the specific indicators where detailed information can be found. These issues include access to ECEC; participation; governance; funding and affordability; professionalisation of staff; leadership; parental involvement; and, to conclude, the provision of targeted support for disadvantaged children. (author abstract)