Place Guarantee for ECEC

As of the 2023/2024 school year, preschool education is compulsory for all children reaching the age of 4. The state and local municipalities are legally required to establish the necessary conditions and provide places for these children in either kindergartens or preschool education groups within primary schools.

For children who are not yet of compulsory preschool age (typically those under 4), there is no absolute legal guarantee of a place in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). However, for children aged 3 and older, the state provides a financial safety net.

Note: If a municipality cannot offer an equivalent place in a state or municipal institution due to a lack of capacity, the state provides funds to reimburse parents for the costs of their child’s upbringing and education. This compensation applies from age 3 until the child is admitted to the first grade.

Affordability

Following major legislative reforms, compulsory preschool education in state and municipal institutions is now 100% free of charge.

• No Fees: Parents no longer pay monthly fees for maintenance or meals; these are now fully covered by the state budget.
• Extracurriculars: Fees are only required if parents choose to enroll their children in optional activities outside the state curriculum, such as specialized sports, arts, or foreign languages.
• Private Sector: Private kindergartens that receive state subsidies must provide the mandatory curriculum for free, though they may charge for additional services as regulated by the national ordinance on institution financing.

Support Measures for Equal Access

The Preschool and School Education Act outlines several measures to ensure all children can access ECEC regardless of their socio-economic background:

• Free Educational Materials: All textbooks and teaching aids required for the preschool curriculum are provided for free use.
• State-Funded Meals: 100% of meal costs in public institutions are covered by the state.
• Transport Assistance: For children in areas without a local kindergarten or school, the state budget finances transportation to and from the nearest suitable institution.
• Cost Reimbursement: Financial compensation is issued to parents of children (aged 3+) who are not accepted into public ECEC due to a lack of places.

State funds also partially support the upbringing and education of younger children in nursery groups (ages 2–3). For these younger groups in public settings, the transition toward fully state-funded care has largely eliminated the previous municipal fee structures.