At the Barcelona "spring summit" of March 2002, EU leaders adopted a range of conclusions on economic policy, including - under the heading "A reinforced employment strategy" - a statement on childcare: "Member States should remove disincentives to female labour force participation and strive, taking into account the demand for childcare facilities and in line with national patterns of provision, to provide childcare by 2010 to at least 90% of children between 3 years old and the mandatory school age and at least 33% of children under 3 years of age" .
ES valstu un valdību vadītāji Eiropadomes sanāksmē Barselonā 2002. gada 16. martā secināja, ka dalībvalstīm jānovērš šķēršļi sieviešu dalībai darba tirgū un, ņemot vērā bērnu aprūpes pakalpojumu pieprasījumu un prognozes, jācenšas nodrošināt aprūpi vismaz 90% bērnu vecumā no 3 gadiem līdz skolas vecumam un vismaz 33 % bērnu, kas jaunāki par 3 gadiem.