Education / Concept
Childcare gap
Definition
The period between the end of paid parental leave and the age at which children become legally entitled to access early childhood education and care services.
Continue exploring
Explore related concepts, research, and semantic relationships in the full I2IDL Glossary of Digital Learning.
Open this concept in the glossary →Editorial explanation
The childcare gap makes continuity between family leave policy and guaranteed early childhood provision measurable across education and social-policy systems.
Related concepts
Sources and evidence
- OECD — Education at a Glance 2026 — Chapter B1 · Definitions — Childcare gap (direct)