Pre-primary education

Pre-primary education is compulsory from age 6 to 7. It’s purpose is to help a child prepare for successful learning according to the primary education curriculum.

Pre-primary education is carried out according to a one-year general pre-primary education curriculum approved by the Minister of Education and Science. It’s content is focused on the development of the child’s general competences – social and health care, knowledge and understanding of the world, communication and artistic expression – through integrated development activities.

Pre-primary education can be provided by private, state or municipal kindergartens, school-kindergartens, schools or other institutions, as well as freelance educators or other education providers. Pre-primary education in other languages can be acquired at institutions providing pre-primary education programmes for ethnic minorities.

4 hours a day (20 hours a week) of pre-primary education is funded from the national or municipal budget through the “pupil's voucher” allocation system. Parents only make a financial contribution to cover the cost of meals and learning materials, however municipalities can reduce the fees for families based on their social situation.