Early childhood care

Children's groups (dětské skupiny) provide non-profit childcare service for children from 6 months of age until compulsory schooling (i.e. up to 6/7 years). However, children from 5 years of age or older do not usually attend them, as they are required to attend compulsory pre-school education. Children’s groups are regulated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs under the terms of Act on Children's Group. The authorisation to provide care services in a children’s group is awarded by the Labour Office, which also administers the allocation of the state subsidy and is responsible for monitoring the compliance with legal responsibilities. Authorisation to provide care services in a children’s group can be awarded to:

• employers (legal entities) – as service for their employees and additionally for other parents;
• non-business legal entities (municipalities, churches, non-profit organisations, higher education institutions);
• natural persons for their employees and their family members;
• natural persons providing services in a neighbourhood children’s group (home based provision);
• state institutions or organisations co-financed from the state budget.

No centralised education programme exists; the law stipulates only the focus on education and care. Nevertheless, children's groups are obliged to draw up their own individual programme of education and care, the quality of which is verified as part of the evaluation of compliance with the standards for quality of care.

The care for children from birth until 3 years of age can also be provided in childcare facilities for children under 3 years of age (zařízení pro péči o děti do 3 let), established according to the Trade Licensing Act.

Pre-primary education

Pre-primary education (ISCED 020) is provided in nursery schools (mateřské školy) designated for children from 2 to 6 years of age. The municipality is obliged, upon parental request, to ensure pre-primary education in a nursery school for children who have turned 3 before the start of the school year (1 September).

Some 6-year-old children with the “postponement of the compulsory school attendance” and also some 5-year-old children attend preparatory classes (přípravné třídy, ISCED 020), which may balance out their development. They are established in basic schools (základní školy, ISCED 1+2). However, most children with postponed compulsory schooling attend nursery schools.

Pre-primary education is obligatory for children in the last pre-primary year. It concerns children who reach at least 5 years of age before 31 August. This requirement can be fulfilled in nursery schools (mateřské školy) or in the preparatory classes (přípravné třídy). Under certain conditions, individual education (home schooling) is possible. The last pre-primary year of the nursery school as well as preparatory classes are free of charge in public and state schools.

Pre-primary education in all types of provision is administered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport at the central level, based on the Education Act. Nursery schools (as well as basic schools including the preparatory class) are mostly established by a municipality or a group of municipalities. Private and denominational organising bodies represent just a small percentage.

The Framework Education Programme for Pre-primary Education is a binding document for all types of nursery schools as well as for preparatory classes. Through this document, schools are able to create their own school education programme.