San Miniato in Tuscany, with a population of 26,000, has a take-up of 40 per cent of children from birth to two in nursery or an integrated service, and a further 5 per cent enrolled in the state early education system. Unlike the UK, services are not targeted at particular groups, such as working families or disadvantaged parents, and the aspiration is to provide a universal service. The level of provision is more than...