While not available as a benefit on the federal level, three of Germany’s 16 federal states continue paying a comparable benefit on a state level. Provision for this age group is dominated by the comprehensive ecole maternelle (preschool) system - public, centre-based services that, like the Swedish preschools, are considered a core part of the national education system. Already in the early 1960s the system catered for almost two-thirds of children aged 3-5 years and since 1989, all 3-5 year-olds have been entitled to a place in the local ecole maternelle, with participation effectively at 100% ever since. Public nurseries are complemented by a system of private qualified childminders and in-home nannies, whose cost are partly subsidised.