A new type of children’s group - “neighbourhood children’s group” – has been introduced into law on 1 May 2025. It is a type of service in which a care person provides care for up to 4 children in their own household. As of 1 January 2026 there were 29 active neighbourhood children’s groups with the combined capacity of 116 children.

Home-based provision can theoretically be provided under the trade “Daily care of children under 3 years of age” (see Chapter 3.6). Such type of provision is considered as the “trade provided in a premise” and thus the same rules apply as for other childcare facilities for children under 3 years of age, including the sanitary requirements.

Aims and accessibility

The aims of care provision in a neighbourhood children’s group are the same as in a mainstream children's group. The conditions for care provision are set out in the Act on Children's Groups. The service can be provided in the person’s own household or on other suitable premises. The Decree on Implementing Certain Provisions of the Act on Providing Childcare in a Children´s Group defines the spatial and operational requirements for neighbourhood children’s groups (sousedská dětská skupina). Special emphasis is placed on providing a safe environment. The provider’s family members who are part of the household, in which the service is provided, must be reliable and without a criminal record and their health status cannot compromise the service provision. 

There is no central education programme, but the childcare worker as a provider should create an education and care plan the same as providers of regular children’s groups, as well as set out internal regulations and make a contract with the parents. They must also comply with the standards for quality of care. For details, see the sections on childcare on the Educational guidelines page in this chapter.

The provider can apply for subsidies to be paid from the state budget in the same manner as regular children’s groups. The maximum parental fee for children in groups which collect the subsidy cannot exceed the legally defined amount (roughly one third of the minimum wage for children under 3 years old).

Organisation of childcare

In a neighbourhood children’s group the service is provided directly by a qualified, healthy, competent care person without a criminal record (same requirements as for regular children’s groups). The qualification requirements are equal to those for care persons in mainstream children’s groups, including at least 8 hours per year of mandatory further education and the requirement to complete a first aid course.

The capacity of a neighbourhood children’s groups is 4 children maximum (this can include the provider’s own children).