This publication presents the main structural aspects regarding access to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and their quality in 40 European education and training systems. It examines whether and from what age countries provide a guarantee to a place in ECEC -- the main means to ensure access. It also covers several essential aspects of ECEC quality, namely requirements for staff education and continuous professional training; existence of educational guidelines or curricula; provision of language support and means to encourage cooperation between ECEC staff and parents. A glossary is included. [This publication is based on a chapter in the Eurydice report, "Structural Indicators for Monitoring Education and Training Systems in Europe, 2016" (ED574058).]