The EU has dealt with ECEC in the light of the economic benefits that could be derived at first in terms of increase of women's employment, then according to the social investment state approach, that is, seeing children as fundamental assets for a future, competitive knowledge society. The social costs of minor care, schooling etc., is, in this sense, an investment in human capital. We could say there is a social vision at work here, as our narration will show: the child is seen as an evolving subject, as a potentially productive adult, whom society has to prepare and school so that needs of a future society can be met – and, it is claimed, the omnipresent mantra of flexibility spells all these needs out. The focus on children's present well being, on children's rights and participation, and on children’s education has been mostly neglected.
