Local child care policies: A reformulation of the structural deficiencies of social protection

For years, care has been at the fore of social policy among local government authorities in Greece. In a context of budgetary constraints and protracted austerity policy, both of which lead to a retrenchment in social protection, the contribution of local government authorities has become essential. Our study engages with the present-day context, and with the features, objectives and prospects for the dynamic role of local government authorities in preschool care. We highlight those features that shape the new environment, while accounting for the demand and supply of the relevant services, the funding of the facilities, and finally, their contribution to social protection, as the latter proliferates at the local level.