Increasing number of children are entrusted by parents to nursery care at the age from 1 to 3 years, i.e. at the time when the intensity of growth and development is very distinct, and the child has already mastered some basic skills important for later life and the activity in the human community . Nurseries are an “extended arm” of mother and father. Children in nurseries have the opportunities and possibilities to find everything they need in order to grow psychologically and physically, and to form themselves in the social and human terms. This means that, in addition to the usual personal care, nurseries assume the obligation to provide the children with the following: incentives for the development of children's potentials; that every child therein is confirmed as a human being in a favourable atmosphere of safety and emotional connection with an adult; to satisfy their need for action, exploring, early methods of research in the company of other children that every individual will find stimulating.

The basis of the process of care and education of children in nurseries is the modification of the educational practices of educators (choice of activities, organization of space and planning). However, education and care of children in nurseries cannot be observed without the education and care of children at home. The cooperation between the family and the institution is required to achieve optimal results. The process of gathering information about the child includes involvement of parents, educators and other experts participating in the educational process, and they all have to cooperate, be flexible and open to the needs of the child. The whole process of care and education takes place in indoor and outdoor nursery areas. This environment should be safe, clean and inviting to children who are at the centre of the holistic approach. In such an environment, children are free to move around and explore, practice their abilities and skills; carry out freely their activities, whether they are initiated by children or educators. The holistic approach to care and education of children in nurseries involves connecting of all components. The fact is that a child is the most important in the educational process, that every child is different, but equally valuable. If adults who participate in the educational process respect this fact, the nurseries will be filled with creative children, children who learn quickly and look forward to independent attempts.

Geographical Accessibility

Early childhood education and care is an important stage in the entire education system. In this regard, in the Republic of Croatia, since 2004, a series of projects related to improving standards have been made initiated in that part of the system, wit the aim of ensuring equal education conditions for children everywhere in Croatia. In relation to this, the National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care (Official Gazette No. 63/2008) were adopted in 2008, as well as the amendments of the standards in 2010 (Official Gazette No. 90/2010), In addition, the legislation foresees the adoption of the Network of Preschool Education and Care Institutions.

Croatian National Educational Standard for Preschool Education and Care

The National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care (Official Gazette No. 63/2008 and 90/2010) set a firm basis for the improvement of standards in preschool education institutions, the further development and work in preschool education institutions. The National Pedagogical Standards determine the optimal spatial, personnel, healthcare, technical, IT and other norms that serve as guidelines for ensuring equal conditions for work in kindergartens. The purpose of the pedagogical standards, based on the set criteria, is to upgrade the total activity on a unified basis with equal conditions for work in preschool institutions. Equal conditions for work serve as basis for ensuring a higher quality of early childhood education and care in Croatia.

The National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care (Official Gazette No. 63/2008 and 90/2010) established the following:

1. programs with respect to the duration and purpose;
2. early childhood education and care of children in general, and children with special needs (children with disabilities and gifted children);
3. early childhood education and care of children of Croatian citizens abroad;
4. early childhood education and care of children belonging to national minorities;
5. organization of the pre-primary classes;
6. the criteria for the number of children in educational groups;
7. the criteria for the number of educators, professional associates and other employees in the kindergarten;
8. measures for healthcare and nutrition of children in kindergarten;
9. the criteria for funding the kindergarten programs;
10. material and financial working conditions;
11. kindergarten premises;
12. sanitary and technical requirements for the kindergarten premises;
13. the criteria for kindergarten equipment;
14. the criteria for didactic aids.

Network of Preschool Education and Care Institutions

The network of kindergartens determines the kindergartens and other legal entities which carry out early education and care activity in the area for which the network is defined, including all the locations and facilities where the programs are carried out.

The network of kindergartens must meet the demands for accessibility and rational structure of the kindergartens and programs of preschool age children, in line with their needs and abilities.

The plan of the network of kindergartens is adopted by the body of representatives of the units of local self-government and of the City of Zagreb, for their respective areas.

The body of representatives of a county coordinates the development of the network of kindergartens for its respective area, based on the plans submitted by the units of local self-government.

In the school year 2013/2014, 64% of all preschool age children attended the regular programs (programs lasting five or ten hours per day). Around 36% of the children followed shorter programs.

The total number of kindergartens: 795 (1,762 when including the subsidiary locations). The Croatian government founded one of the kindergartens, the Hungarian Educational and Cultural Centre in Croatia – “Bobita” kindergarten. There are 342 (43,01%) private kindergartens (223 were founded by private entities, 53 by religious communities and 65 by other civil organisations) and 453 (56,98%) were founded by the cities/municipalities/counties.

The total number of children: 159 591 (64%). 34 596 children (21.68%) attend private kindergartens, while the remaining 124 995 children (78.32% attend the kindergartens founded by the cities/municipalities/counties.

Children participation by programs:

1. 126 625 children (79.34%) in regular daylong programs,
2. 14 708 children (9.21%) in the pre-primary school program,
3. 18 258 (18 258) children in shorter programs.

Programs of Public Needs

Pursuant to the Act on Preschool Education (Official Gazette No. 10/1997, 107/2007, 94/2013), early childhood education and care is an integral part of the system of education and care, and is financed mainly by the budget of local and regional self-government units and the participation of parents in the cost of preschool programs in which their children are involved. Certain programs of public needs (pre-primary education programs, special programs for children with disabilities, and for children belonging to national minorities and for gifted children, etc.) are co-financed by the state budget.

Consequently, local and regional self-government units make programs of public needs in preschool activities for their areas, and establish the criteria for program funding by their budget, as well as the criteria for the participation of parents in the cost of the programs. The ministry responsible for education establishes the criteria for funding of certain programs by the state budget (programs for children with disabilities, pre-primary educational programs, programs for children belonging to national minorities, programs for gifted children).

Pursuant to Article 49 of the Act on Preschool Education (Official Gazette No. 10/1997, 107/2007, 94/2013), each representative body of the county, i.e. of the City of Zagreb sets up the criteria for ensuring the funds to satisfy the public needs (programs of public needs) in the area of early childhood education and care on the territory of a local and regional self-government unit, under which the founder has the right and obligation to decide upon the needs and interests of the citizens in their area for organizing and implementing programs of early childhood education and care for preschool children, and to meet those needs by establishing kindergartens.

The programs of public needs in the area of early childhood education and care define the form, the scope, the quality and the method of meeting the public needs in early childhood education and care of preschool children.

The programs of public needs, for which the funds are provided by the state budget, include the following:

1. regular programs of care, education, training, healthcare, nutrition and social care of children of preschool age (hereinafter referred to as: regular programs) and special programs - all-day, half-day and shorter programs;
2. pre-primary educational programs;
3. other programs important for the development of early childhood education and care.

The specified educational policy and the previously mentioned activities result in the achievement of the effect of the balanced development that provides the appropriate conditions for the growth and development of each child in the Republic of Croatia, regardless of the part of the state where they live. After attending kindergarten or mandatory pre-primary educational programs every child should be prepared for inclusion in the school environment and the classroom obligations.

Admission Requirements and Choice of ECEC Institution

Enrolment into Kindergarten Programs

Enrolment into kindergarten is possible during the entire school year, provided that the kindergarten has vacancies.

Every year, the representative body of a local and regional self-government unit and the City of Zagreb publishes an annual call for admission of children to the early childhood educational programmes for every school year. The call for admission is, in general, announced on all kindergarten premises and on the website of the representative body. Alongside the call for admission, the admission application form is also made.

Accordingly, each kindergarten is obliged to prepare the implementing regulations governing the procedure for admission to kindergarten, the manner of organizing and implementing the early childhood educational programmes, the education and social care of preschool children, and the rights and duties of parents, i.e. guardians of children - beneficiaries of services in kindergarten.

In kindergarten, in general, the following programmes for preschool children are carried out:

1. regular programmes of care, education, training, healthcare, nutrition and social care of preschool children (hereinafter referred to as: regular programmes) in compliance with the working hours of parents and the needs of children;
2. pre-primary educational programme for children in the year before they start primary school, and for children with disabilities two years before they start primary school;
3. special programmes for children with disabilities and for children belonging to national minorities, alternative programmes, programmes of early learning of foreign languages, programmes of healthcare, sports, dance, music, art, drama and stage, IT, environmental, religious and others, designed to meet the special interests and needs of children.

Kindergarten can organize special all-day, half-day and shorter programmes, and other early childhood educational programmes in accordance with the interests and needs of children and the demands of parents, and the existence of favourable conditions in kindergarten, with the consent of the establisher.

In kindergartens the following educational programmes are carried out: regular programmes of care, education, training, healthcare, nutrition and social care of preschool children, which are adapted to the developmental needs of children and their abilities and skills; programmes for preschool children with disabilities; programmes for gifted preschool children; programmes for children belonging to national minorities; pre-primary educational programmes; programmes of early foreign language learning and other programmes of artistic, cultural, religious and sports content that are approved by the ministry responsible for education.

In the process of implementing the educational programmes, the kindergarten is bound to create favourable conditions for the growth and development of every child, and to supplement family education and use its openness to establish active cooperation with parents and immediate children's environment.

In kindergartens, the educational programmes for preschool children with disabilities are organized under special conditions, and in accordance with the programme issued by the Minister responsible for education. The type and degree of disability of the child, and the need for the creation of the appropriate conditions for care, education and protection of children with disabilities, at the proposal of the primary care physicians, are determined by an expert committee that is established under the legal act governing relations in the field of social care.

The educational activities in kindergartens are organized and carried out with children divided into groups with full-day, half-day, several-day attendance or a shortened day-attendance. The organization and implementation of educational activities in kindergartens are carried out pursuant to the National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care (Official Gazette No. 63/2008 and 90/2010).

Pursuant to the Act on Preschool Education (Official Gazette No. 10/1997, 107/2007, 94/2013), the priority enrolment to kindergartens, which are owned by the local and regional self-government units or by the state, is given to children of victims and disabled veterans of the Homeland War, children from families with three or more children, children of working parents, children with disabilities, children of single parents and children in foster care, children in the year before they start primary school and children of parents receiving children’s allowance. The way of gaining priority enrolment of children to kindergarten is laid down in the decision of the kindergarten founder.

Admission of Children to Kindergarten Educational Programs

The admission of children to kindergarten educational programmes is carried out in accordance with the annual admission plan adopted for each pedagogic year by the Governing Council of kindergarten, with the consent of the establisher. The right to admission to kindergarten educational programmes have the children of parents who reside in a particular area, and if there are vacant seats, children of parents who reside in another area can be admitted to particular programmes.

Kindergarten is bound, in accordance with its capacity, to primarily organize regular early childhood education programs for children residing on its territory and to ensure the priority enrolment to regular programs as stipulated by the Act on Preschool Education (Official Gazette No. 10/1997, 107/2007, 94/2013), the decision of the founder and the previously mentioned implementing regulation. The priority enrolment within the planned number of seats available per age group is given to a child with a higher aggregate score. If more children achieve the same number of points, the priority enrolment is determined by the Kindergarten Enrolment Commission based on the assessment of the expert team on the mental and physical status and the needs of the child for the education programs in question as well as the conditions that kindergarten can offer. If the expert team, based on documentation of specific developmental and/or medical needs of the child and the initial conversation with the parents, i.e. the guardians of the child, in the presence of the child, finds that these needs cannot be met within the regular program, the Enrolment Commission will reject the child's application for enrolment to the regular program and suggest another appropriate program that kindergarten can offer.

A parent, i.e. a guardian of the child is required to submit to kindergarten evidence of the facts essential to gain priority admission to kindergarten. Children with disabilities are not subject to the scoring procedure. The kindergarten admission of children with disabilities is decided upon by the Admission Committee based on the documentation and assessment of an expert team on the mental and physical condition and the needs of the child for the educational programmes and the conditions that kindergarten can offer. A parent is required to submit to kindergarten the evaluation and opinion of the body of expert witnesses or the decision of the Social Welfare Centre indicating the existence of disabilities in the development of the child, and assume the obligation to respond to the invitation of the kindergarten to hear the opinion of the expert team of the existence of the conditions for the integration of the child in regular programmes, inclusion in a special educational group with a special programme for children with disabilities or inclusion in another appropriate program that kindergarten can offer. Children living in extremely difficult social and health conditions are not subject to the scoring procedure. The admission of a child living in extremely difficult social and health conditions is decided upon by the kindergarten Admission Committee based on the recommendations of the Social Welfare Centre and the assessment of the expert team on the mental and physical condition and the needs of the child for educational programmes and the conditions that kindergarten can offer.

Admission Procedure

In accordance with the admission plan, every year, the kindergarten publishes annual notice of admission of children to early childhood educational programmes. Every year, the establisher, in general, determines the time and the conditions for the admission to kindergarten by publishing a joint notice of admission of children to kindergarten and announcing it on notice boards of all kindergarten premises and on the website of the establisher. Along with the notice of admission, the kindergarten announces detailed information on all programmes offered by the kindergarten in accordance with the admission plan.

A parent, i.e. a guardian of a child, in the time period defined by the establisher, applies for the admission of the child to a particular educational programme in the preschool institution, in general, nearest to their place of residence, i.e. if there exists interest for the educational programmes offered by that kindergarten.

Along with the application for admission, a parent, i.e. a guardian also encloses the following certificates:

1. birth certificate, or excerpt from the Birth Register, or certificate containing the data on the birth of a child, or written consent of parents allowing kindergarten to check the data on the birth of the child in the Birth Register;
2. certificate of residency of the child and a copy of the identity cards of parents;
3. evidence of the facts essential to gain priority admission to kindergarten.

The procedure for admission of children to kindergarten is carried out by the Admission Committee appointed by the kindergarten Governing Council. The Governing Council appoints the chairman and two members of the Committee from among the kindergarten educators and professional associates of the kindergarten for the period of two years. The Committee decides on the applications for admission of children to educational programmes based on the results of a comprehensive insight into the development and the needs of each child, analyses of the submitted documentation, and the results of the initial interview with parents, i.e. guardians, in the presence of children, conducted by the members of the expert and development team, with a possibility to consult external experts in order to provide opinions and data relevant in the process of decision making.

Within a period set by the establisher (in general, a month after the deadline for submission of admission applications), the Committee is bound to announce on the notice boards of all kindergarten premises the admission results showing information on the accepted admission applications, rejected admission applications and the remaining available seats in kindergarten after obtaining the admission results. Thereafter, the kindergarten director is bound to submit to the establisher the information on the following data: the number of applications received; the admission applications accepted; the admission applications rejected - including the grounds for rejection; and the remaining available seats in kindergarten after obtaining the admission results. On the basis of the consent given by the establisher, the Committee notifies parents, i.e. guardians of children of the possibilities of subsequent admission to kindergarten under certain conditions. The kindergarten submits a report on the carried admission procedure to the establisher.

A parent, i.e. a guardian of the child is bound to conclude a contract on the implementation of the programme with the kindergarten within one month as of the date of the announcement of the admission results, and exceptionally by 1 September of the current year.

Children admitted to kindergarten following the notice of admission start attending the educational programme as of 1 September of the current year, unless otherwise determined. Before the child starts attending the programme, a parent, i.e. a guardian is bound to submit to kindergarten a certificate of pre-kindergarten systematic medical examination of the child conducted by a competent physician.

Children who, following the notice of admission, are not admitted to kindergarten, are placed on the priority waiting list, and are admitted to kindergarten during the year, in case vacant seats occur in the appropriate educational groups or in case of expanding the capacities of the kindergarten (by opening new kindergarten facilities, establishing new educational groups).

If there are no children on the priority waiting list or if a parent, i.e. guardian of a child does not respond to kindergarten notice of a vacant seat in kindergarten, the kindergarten may also admit the children whose parents, i.e. guardians did not participate in the admission procedure following the notice of admission.

If a parent is not satisfied with the results of enrolment procedure, he/she can submit a complaint to the Governing Council of the kindergarten. The decision of the Council is then final, following the Ordinance on the enrolment of Children into Kindergarten (adopted by each kindergarten in line with its Statute).

Rights and Obligations of Kindergarten Service Users

The rights and obligations of kindergarten service users (parents) and of the kindergartens are set out in the agreement signed by the parent upon enrolment. It usually states that a parent, i.e. a guardian of a child has the following rights:

• to be acquainted with the programme for the child and the conditions under which it is carried out, and in that respect with the rights and obligations of service users, before the implementation of the programme;
• to be regularly informed of developments and progress of the child through individual and parent meetings, and to be involved in various forms of cooperation between parents and kindergarten;
• to submit applications for the exercise and protection of the individual rights and needs of the child to the competent kindergarten authorities;
• to participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of educational programmes for children;
• to participate in the management of kindergarten in the manner provided by law and the kindergarten statute, to elect and be elected parent representative of service users in the Governing Council of kindergarten.

A parent, i.e. a guardian of a child has the following obligations:

• to submit a certificate of pre-kindergarten systematic medical examination of the child conducted by a competent physician before the beginning of the implementation of the programme, as well as additional health certificate in the case of health changes that occurred after conducting the regular pre-kindergarten medical examination;
• to submit full documentation and information on the characteristics and needs of the child that are important to select an appropriate programme for the child as well as to provide for the child's safety and health during the programme implementation;
• to promptly report to the kindergarten on the changes in the development status of the child and cooperate with kindergarten in case of introducing changes to the programme;
• in case of significant changes in the health condition or development status of the child that is noticed by the kindergarten expert team during the programme implementation, a parent, i.e. guardian is obliged to have the child undergo the necessary tests and obtain the opinion of the competent services, and to participate in the programme of pedagogical observation of the child and the establishment of a new custom individualized programme, if it is in the interest of development needs and safety of the child, i.e. safety and the implementation of educational programme for other children;
• to personally bring and take their child from the educational group, or submit a written notification to the kindergarten educator of an adult person authorized to do this;
• to inform the child's kindergarten educator of the reasons for the absence of the child within the period of 24 hours;
• not to bring a sick child to kindergarten, and after completion of the medical treatment to submit a certificate of the performed health examination from the competent physician, which indicates that the child is able to attend the kindergarten;
• after child's absence from kindergarten for other reasons for more than 60 days, to submit a certificate of the performed health examination from the competent physician, which indicates that the child is able to attend kindergarten;
• to respond to invitations to attend parent meetings and other forms of cooperation of parents with kindergarten in order to monitor the development and progress of the child;
• to pay determined amount of parental participation in the cost of the programme;
• to submit to kindergarten a written notice of child's withdrawal from kindergarten at least 15 days before withdrawal, and prove the settlement of all costs incurred to the date of withdrawal;
• to perform other duties of service users specified in the internal regulations of kindergarten.

Kindergarten has the following obligations:

• to set up work with children in nursery and kindergarten educational groups in accordance with the prescribed programme and the standard of early childhood education;
• to cooperate with the child's family in order to monitor the development and progress of the child;
• to provide regular updates to the service users and ensure their participation in the management of kindergarten in accordance with law and the kindergarten statute;
• to enable the protection of individual rights of service users by filing complaints or requests to the Governing Council.

Age Levels and Grouping of Children

Children who reach one year of age by 31 August of the current year (and under certain conditions, children who reach 6 to 11 months by 31 August of the current year) to the age they start attending primary school, are eligible to enter the regular educational programmes in the five-day working week.

Children in the year before they start primary school (and children with disabilities two years before they start primary school), who do not participate in the regular programmes, are eligible to enter the preschool programme (250 hours per a year).

Children with particular disabilities, children belonging to national minorities, and children with special interests and needs are eligible to enter the following special programmes: alternative programmes – Montessori programme, Waldorf programme, and other special 10-hour and half-day programmes of early foreign language learning, healthcare, sports, dance, music, art, drama and stage, IT, environment, religion, etc.

Kindergartens offering verified programmes, also offer special shorter programmes of early foreign language learning, healthcare, sports, dance, music, art, drama and stage, IT, environment, religion and other developmentally and socially oriented programmes.

Criteria for the Number of Children in Educational Groups

The size of the kindergarten depending on the number of educational groups, the number of children in educational groups, the age of children in particular educational groups, the size of living room premises, the equipment norms and the norms of immediate activities for educators in the group are regulated by the Minister for Education, in accordance with the National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care (Official Gazette No. 63/2008 and 90/2010).

Educational group is a basic unit in which various programmes for preschool children are implemented. Educational groups are organized with respect to the age of children, type and duration of the programme, abilities, needs and interests of children and parents.

Kindergarten of optimal size has 17-20 educational groups in regular programmes or 340-400 children in total. Kindergarten with branches of optimal size has 30 educational groups or 600 children. Kindergarten may have at least one educational group with a maximum of 25 children.

The number of children in an educational group in the regular programme is established depending on the age of children and the number of children with disabilities included in the educational group. Educational group of children in the regular programme at the age from 6 to 12 months may include up to 5 children maximum. Educational group of children in the regular programme at the age from 13 to 18 months may include a maximum of 8 children, whereas educational group of children at the age from 19 to 24 months may include up to 12 children. In the third year of age, the group may include up to 14 children, in the fourth year up to18 children, in the fifth year up to 20 children, in the sixth year up to 23 children, and in the seventh year to primary school age up to 25 children.

Based on the opinion of the kindergarten professional associates, only one child with mild disabilities may be included in the educational group. In such case, the number of children in the group is reduced by two children.

An educational group may include only one child with greater or combined disabilities, if there is an insufficient number of children to organize an educational group with a special programme. In such case, the number of children in the group is reduced by four children.

A mixed educational group of children in the regular programme at the age from 1 to 2 years may include up to 10 children, at the age from 1 to 3 years up to 12 children, at the age from 3 years to school age up to 20 children, and at the age from 4 years until the start of primary school up to 22 children.

The number of children with disabilities in educational groups with special programmes in kindergartens and in special institutions is established depending on the age of children and the type of disabilities. An educational group of children with the same disability may include the following number of children: at the age from 1 to 2 years up to 3 children, at the age from 2 to 4 years up to 5 children, at the age from 3 to 7 years up to 5 children, and at the age from 4 to 7 up to 7 children maximum.

An educational group of children with autism, children of different age, and children with different types of disability may include the following number of children: at the age from 1 to 2 years up to 2 children, at the age from 2 to 5 years up to 3 children, at the age from 3 to 7 years up to 3 children, at the age from 6 to 7 years up to 4 children.

In exceptional cases, depending on the operating conditions, the needs of children and parents, the introduction of experimental programmes etc., kindergarten may include, with the consent of the establisher, a smaller number of children in an educational group than the number of children in educational groups stipulated by the National Educational Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care.

Kindergarten - Spatial and Technical Requirements

Kindergarten premises are built and equipped in accordance with the National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care (Official Gazette No. 63/2008 and 90/2010)., standards for the construction and furnishing of kindergartens, and laws, by-laws and technical regulations in construction and other areas of importance to work and stay in the premises of the kindergarten.

Kindergarten building has an optimum capacity of 200 children. Maximum capacity of kindergarten with branches is 600 children.

Kindergarten building capacity is derived from the number of preschool children in the projected catchment area, i.e. from the planned kindergarten coverage of children. Kindergarten distance from the place of residence in general is up to 1,000m maximum.

Kindergarten building should provide pedagogical and aesthetic environment stimulating for the education and care of preschool children at the age from 6 months to the school age (nursery and kindergarten age), and meet all sanitary and technical requirements, and the fundamental ecological and aesthetic criteria.

The size of the land necessary for the construction of kindergarten building and the formation of access roads, playgrounds, open areas, the court yard and parking lots should be at least 30 m2 per child, and if the kindergarten is located near the existing available green areas, at least 15 m2 per child.

Organization of Time

Every kindergarten develops its own education program according to its specificities (culture, tradition, geographical specificities, etc.).

A kindergarten performs its activities based on the national and school curriculum, as well as the annual activities plan and program adopted for a school year lasting from 1 September of the current year until 31 August of the following year. The annual curriculum for the school year is adopted by the Governing Council of a kindergarten by 30 September. The annual activities plan and program includes programs of educational activities, programs of child healthcare, hygiene and nutrition, social welfare programs, and other programs that the kindergarten implements in consultation with parents.

Work with preschool children is organized in nursery and kindergarten educational groups. Early childhood education programs can be implemented in primary schools, as playrooms in libraries and in healthcare institutions, social institutions, cultural institutions, sports institutions and associations.

Early childhood education program and activities of an organizational unit within a legal entity are managed by an educator in accordance with law, the founding act and the Statute of the legal person. Special conditions and criteria for the program implementation are regulated by the Minister responsible for education. Meeting the conditions for the commencement of work and the implementation of programs is established by a county office in its decision, i.e. by the office of the City of Zagreb competent for educational activities.

Working hours of preschool institutions are from 7 am till 17 pm, but, in general, they are adjusted to the identified needs of parents.

Work on Saturdays, in general, is organized on the basis of prior notification of at least five children at locations with the minimum expenses for children, following the joint agreement of preschool institutions in each city area. According to the needs of the family, the programs can be organized as afternoon programs, several-day programs and weekend programs. In accordance with the educational standards, during the summer and on other occasions when the number of present children is reduced, preschool institutions organize work on a smaller number of locations.

Organization of the Day and Week

Working hours of preschool institutions are from 7 am till 17 pm, but, in general, they are adjusted to the identified needs of parents.

Early childhood education is divided into three educational cycles, based on the age of children: (1) from 6 months to one year of age, (2) from 1 to 3 years, (3) from 3 years of age to the start of primary education.

The following table shows an example of work of a kindergarten during a working week.

References

• The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, Official Gazette No. 56/1990, 135/1997, 8/1998 – consolidated text, 113/2000, 124/2000 – consolidated text, 28/2001, 41/2001 - consolidated text, 55/2001 – amend., 76/2010, 85/2010 – consolidated text
• Act on Preschool Education and Care, Official Gazette No. 10/1997, 107/2007 and 94/2013
• Family Act, Official Gazette No. 103/2015
• Strategy for Education, Science and Technology, Official Gazette No. 124/2014
• National Framework Curriculum for Preschool Education, General Compulsory and Secondary Education, MSES 2011
• Convention on Children’s Rights, National Bureau for the Protection of Family, Motherhood and Youth, 2001
• National Strategy for Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, 2007-2015, Official Gazette No. 63/2007
• Ordinance on the Content and Duration of Preschool Programme, Official Gazette No. 107/2014
• Ordinance on the Special Conditions and Criteria for Realisation of Preschool Education Programme, Official Gazette No. 133/1997
• Ordinance on the Type of Qualification for Expert Employees and Type and Level of Qualification for Other Kindergarten Employees, Official Gazette No. 133/997
• Ordinance on the Manner and Conditions relating to Expert Examinations for Educators and Expert Associates in Kindergartens, Official Gazette No. 133/1997, 4/1998
• Ordinance on the Manner and Conditions for Professional Advancement and Promotion into Professional Titles of Educators and Expert Associates in Kindergartens, Official Gazette No. 133/1997, 20/2005
• Ordinance on Training Kindergartens, Experimental Programmes in Kindergartens and on Kindergartens as Expert and Development Centres, *Official Gazette No. 46/2004, 49/2004
• Ordinance on the Forms and Content of Pedagogical Documentation and the Records of Children in Kindergarten, Official Gazette No. 83/2001
• Ordinance on the Methods of Disposition with the State Budget Funds and the Criteria for the Co-financing of Preschool Educational Programmes, Official Gazette No. 134/1997
• Ordinance on the Forms of Health Records of Preschool Children and Kindergarten Records, Official Gazette No. 114/2002
• Ordinance on Toys Safety, Official Gazette No. 83/2014
• Ordinance on Croatian Qualifications Framework Records, Official Gazette No. 62/2014
• Ordinance on Prerequisites for Children Transportation Vehicles, Official Gazette No. 8/2006
• National Pedagogical Standards for Preschool Education and Care, Official Gazette No. 63/2008. and 90/2010
• National Curriculum for Early Childhood Education and Care, Official Gazette No. 5/2015
• Programme Orientation of Education and Care for Preschool Children, Official Gazette of the Ministry of Culture, No. 7-8/91
• Preschool Education with Programme Orientation for Care, Education, protection and Rehabilitation of Preschool Age Children with Disabilities, Ministry of Culture and Education, Croatian Bureau of Education, 1993
• Programme of Children's Healthcare, Hygiene and Proper Nutrition in Kindergartens, Official Gazette, No. 105/2002, 55/2006, 121/2007
• Decision on the Programme of Expert Examination for Trainees in Preschool Education and Care, Education Gazette, Year 2, No. 2, Zagreb, 17th April 2000