Pre-school education

Early childhood education and care, pre-primary and primary education form a coherent sequence for a child’s growth, development and learning, and provide the basis for lifelong learning. In pre-primary education, children learn by playing, moving and exploring in interaction with others.

Pre-school education is statutory and available to all children under school age one year before the start of compulsory education. Free pre-school education is provided for at least 700 hours a year, i.e. four hours a day from 8.30 to 12.30.

If a child needs early childhood education in addition to pre-primary education, an application for early childhood education must be submitted. The early childhood education is provided in the same group as the pre-primary education. An early childhood education fee is charged according to the family’s income and the extent of care provided.

Pre-school education is a planned and goal-oriented educational and teaching activity. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure that the child attends pre-school education or other activities that achieve the objectives of pre-school education. Pre-school education can also be provided at home. Pre-primary education provided outside the formal pre-school system is considered to be equivalent to home education, as in basic education.