This study examined parental demand for early childhood education (ECE) in relation to choice and access to early childhood programmes in Tanzania. Extensive analyses of both Government and privately written documents over the past decade were used to determine parental demand, choice and access to ECE. The literature revealed that although parents in Tanzania have a high demand for ECE, they have limited choices for their children's education despite existence of the early childhood programmes. Despite problems associated with quality, access was found to be in favour of older children and those in urban areas. The article argues that unless parents have a wider range of choices informed by thorough knowledge about programme operations, the programmes attended by children will merely serve as "hostage camps". In the light of this, the article concludes that parents in Tanzania hardly find early childhood programmes suited to their expectations. Policy implications are drawn. (Contains 3 figures.)