Italy nursery school availability and cost disparities

Reports indicate significant regional disparities regarding the cost and availability of nursery school services across Italy. In Lombardy, monthly expenses for families with an ISEE of 25,000 euros average 458 euros, which is higher than the national average of 416 euros. Costs in Lombardy provinces range from 102 euros in Mantova to 641 euros in Sondrio. While the Emilia-Romagna region has met the European Union’s 45% childcare coverage target ahead of schedule through strategic investments, a national shortage persists, with nearly 60% of services failing to meet demand.

Further data from the National Council for Economics and Labour (Cnel) shows that nursery school availability covers only 31.6% of children aged 0 to 3. Although available places increased by 3.4% during the 2023/2024 academic year, a sharp geographic divide remains. Coverage is highest in Central Italy at 40.4%, followed by the Northeast at 39.1% and the Northwest at 36.6%. Conversely, availability is significantly lower in the South and on the Islands, where coverage reaches only 19% and 19.5%, respectively.