Italy nursery school costs and availability show regional disparities

Analysis of nursery school services in Italy reveals significant regional disparities in both costs and availability. In Lombardy, UIL reports that monthly expenses for families with an ISEE of 25,000 euros average 458 euros, exceeding the national average of 416 euros. Costs vary drastically by province, ranging from 102 euros in Mantova to 641 euros in Sondrio. Furthermore, a structural shortage of places persists, with nearly 60% of services failing to meet demand nationally, a figure that rises to nearly 69% in the public sector.

In contrast, the Emilia-Romagna region has reached the European Union's 45% childcare coverage target four years ahead of the 2030 deadline. The region achieved a 45.9% coverage rate through strategic investments, including 29.7 million euros dedicated to reducing or eliminating fees for families. This includes specific funding for mountain areas and internal regions to ensure equitable access.