Cyprus has unveiled its first National Strategy and Action Plan for Early Childhood Education and Care, a reform the government says will shape the country’s long‑term social and educational future.
At a joint news conference at the Presidential Palace, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou and Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Papaellina said the strategy marks the first time Cyprus has adopted a unified framework for children from birth to age six.
Michaelidou said the plan places the child, family and community at its center, aiming to ensure access to high‑quality, affordable and inclusive early‑years services.
She described the strategy as a “road map for reform” running through 2030, built on five pillars — governance, access, pedagogical framework, workforce, and monitoring and evaluation — and implemented through 30 targeted actions aligned with the EU’s Quality Framework.
Papaellina said the strategy fulfills commitments under Cyprus’ Recovery and Resilience Plan and the National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee. She said it promotes a holistic approach involving all relevant agencies and introduces reforms to modernize home‑based childcare and the early‑years workforce.
The plan also aims to expand access for children under three and for those with special educational needs or in vulnerable circumstances.
Officials from both ministries presented the research and EU‑funded technical work underpinning the strategy, noting its alignment with the EU Council Recommendation on Early Childhood Education and Care and the revised Barcelona targets for 2030.
