Families at social risk and access to 0–3 Early Childhood Education and Care in Spain: a model to understand diverse conditions in the current system (Familias en situación de riesgo social y acceso a la educación preescolar de 0 a 3 años en España: Un modelo para comprender las situaciones diversas en el sistema actual)

It is acknowledged that fewer children from families at social risk and/or socio-economic disadvantage participate in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) across Europe. The article examines who among these families has special difficulties in accessing the first cycle of ECEC for infants 0–3 years of age (0–3 ECEC) in Spain. It presents a model that reveals diverse strategies taken by families in relation to 0–3 ECEC and a particular segment of families who are served ‘worst’ by the current system and whose access to 0–3 ECEC is especially hindered. In the analysis, we also highlight gender; gender appears as a fundamental dimension to understand the forms of participation (or non-participation) in 0–3 ECEC within families at risk of social exclusion. The article is based on a study in which we conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with families at social risk as well as group discussions with a total of 40 family and education professionals in five metropolitan areas of Spain.