In addition, low-income parents often have to set aside a large proportion of their incomes if they want their children to attend ECEC. Although the inclusion of immigrant children in the education system two years prior to starting compulsory basic education is already recommended in Slovenia, the authorities should ensure greater participation of children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds from an early age by providing means-tested subsidies for additional expenses, such as meals and out-of-school-hours care. Such subsidies could be paid for by rationalising ECEC as discussed below.