Early childhood education in Greece is offered in Pre-primary schools (Nipiagogeia) under the competence of the Child (Paidikoi Stathmoi) and Infant/Child Centers (Vrefonipiakoi Stathmoi) under the auspices of Municipalities as well as in respective private pre-school education centers.

Pre-school education and care offered in pre-primary schools is part of Primary Education. Pre-primary schools (Nipiagogeia) accept children at the age of four and five years; attendance, however, is compulsory only for children at the age of five years. An All-day Pre-primary school operates in parallel to the ordinary Pre-primary school with a broadened daily schedule. The aim is to fully prepare the child for Primary School, support working parents and reinforce the role of state care in order to eliminate any educational-social discrimination (Law 2525/1997).

Special emphasis is placed on the smooth transition of children from pre-primary school to primary school, constituting a landmark in their development having decisive effects on their personality and overall school progress. This transition does not only concern the child but also all persons and bodies related to it. In particular, pre-primary school purpose, as stipulated in the framework Law 1566/1985, is to help children develop physically, emotionally, mentally and socially and in particular:

• Develop their senses and organize their actions, motor and mental ones
• Enrich and organize their experiences from the physical and social environment and acquire the skill to differentiate the relations and their interactions therein
• Develop the ability to comprehend and express themselves with symbols and particularly in the fields of language, mathematics and aesthetics
• Forge interpersonal relations boosting their gradual and harmonious social inclusion
• Develop initiatives freely and effortlessly in an organized environment and to adjust in the two-way relation between an individual and a group

Child (Paidikoi Stathmoi) and Infant/Child Centers (Vrefonipiakoi Stathmoi) constitute premises of education and safe accommodation for children at the preschool age of 2,5 up to 5 years and at the age of 6 months up to 5 years respectively, aiming at:

• Offering comprehensive preschool care, following the most up-to-date scientific developments.
• Supporting children in developing physically, mentally, emotionally and socially in a holistic manner.
• Eliminating to the extent possible any discrepancies arising from their families’ cultural, economic and educational level.
• Raising parents’ awareness in modern pedagogy and psychology issues.
• Helping preschool children in their smooth transition from family to school environment.
• Offering daily nutrition and care to children adhering to health and safety rules.

Pre-primary school (Nipiagogeio) attendance is free of charge whereas Child (Paidikoi Stathmoi) and Infant/Child Centers (Vrefonipiakoi Stathmoi) may require board fees on a monthly basis for the families of hosted children, depending on their economic capabilities. The Child and Infant Center Board of Directors establish the circumstances for a family to be exempted from this contribution or pay a lower one.