Creches e Pré-Escolas no Sistema de Educaçao Italiano:consideraçoes sobre a historia, as decisoes e os recursos financieiros

The purpose of this article is to present the development of public policy for the education of small children in Italy, based on the history of day care centers and preschools. Data utilized are from the coverage of demand and costs, decisions made by public managers, legislation, and funding. Recognized throughout the world as a successful experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, Italy combines innovative pedagogical practices with participatory and democratic public policies. Acknowledged all over the world as a successful experience in the field of Child Education, Italy combines innovative pedagogical practices with democratic and participative public policies. Getting to know this historical process is important to understand Italian education, considering that the pedagogical proposals as well as the decision involving educational investment are connected with societies and the contexts in which they are conducted.