In Hungary, the system of early childhood education and care is divided system.
The first stage covers the period from birth to the age of 3 and consists of non-compulsory institutional or service-based provision, which may be used for a fee or with financial support (nursery care; ISCED 010).

The second stage lasts from the age of 3 until the start of compulsory schooling and is mandatory for all children—separately regulated with the possibility of exemption—and is provided free of charge (kindergarten education, ISCED 2).

The institutional systems of the two stages fall under the supervision of two different ministries: nurseries are overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, while kindergartens— as part of public education—fall under the Ministry of the Interior.

Nursery care (care for children under the age of 3 years)

Within the framework of nursery care, daytime care must be provided for children under the age of 3.

Since 1 January 2017, nursery care may be organised in two institutional forms (nursery, mini-nursery) and two service-based forms (family nursery, workplace nursery).

Providers of nursery care may include:

• state providers (typically local municipal governments),

• church providers,

• non-state providers (sole proprietors, foundations, non-profit organisations, individuals, companies).

In accordance with laws and governmental decrees, all forms of nursery care are guided by the National Core Programme for Nursery Education and Care (hereinafter: the Core Programme), which provides the framework for nursery education. Nurseries must organise daily life and activities in line with the educational principles set out in the Core Programme. The Core Programme identifies the main educational situations and tasks.

The aim of nursery education is to enable young children to acquire the skills and abilities that help them behave effectively and in a balanced way within their own cultural environment and to adapt successfully to its changes. Nursery education applies approaches and methods that respect the primary role of family upbringing.

A further aim of nursery education, in line with a broad interpretation of the early childhood intervention approach, is to carry out preventive activities covering all young children and their families. Institutions and service providers offering nursery care, as family-friendly institutions and services, contribute to improving the quality of life of the families and increasing opportunities for parents, in terms of employment.

Within the framework of nursery care, the education and care of children with special educational needs, as well as children entitled to early development and care, may also be provided in accordance with the provisions of the Core Programme.

Nursery (Day Nursery)

Within the system of nursery care services, the nursery represents the traditional and most widespread institutional form of care for children under the age of 3.

In addition to basic care, a nursery may support families—by way of additional services—through specialized counselling, temporary childcare, the operation of playgroups, children’s hotels, or other services that assist childcare.

In a nursery group, nursery professionals (early childhood educators and nursery care assistants) provide the education and care of up to 12 young children. In smaller settlements, it is common for one or two nursery groups to be established in the same building as a kindergarten. In such cases, the institution operates organisationally as a single entity, either as a multi-purpose kindergarten–nursery or as an independent organisational and professional unit within a multi-purpose institution.

Mini-nurseries

A mini-nursery is a type of nursery care institution that provides professional care and education in smaller groups and under simpler staffing, material, and operational conditions in comparison to a conventional nursery. This new type of institution allows local municipal governments to establish a simpler and smaller nursery than a conventional one when there is demand for the care of no more than 7 children in the given settlement—or up to 8 children if all children have reached the age of 2.

Workplace nurseries

A workplace nursery is a nursery care service maintained by an employer, primarily for the children of employees engaged in paid work at that organisation. In other words, it is a service provided by the employer at or near the workplace for the children of employees.

A workplace nursery group may admit a maximum of 7 children; if all children have reached the age of 2, the group size may be increased to 8. An employer may establish and maintain more than one workplace nursery group.

Family nursery

Due to its service-based nature, a family nursery can be established more easily than institutional forms of care—either in the home of the person providing the nursery service or in another space specifically designed for this purpose.

In a family nursery, a maximum of 5 children may be educated and cared for, unless the service provider employs an assistant. In that case, care may be provided for an additional 3 children beyond the specified number.

Kindergarten care

A kindergarten is an institution that cares for a child from the age of 3 years until the beginning of compulsory school education. Kindergarten gradually prepare the child for school education, especially in the final kindergarten year. As specified by the national core programme of kindergarten education (Óvodai nevelés országos alapprogramja), the aim of kindergarten education is to promote the multifaceted, harmonious development of children, to promote the development of children’s personalities and to mitigate disadvantages, considering the ages, individual characteristics and different developmental stages of children (including children with special educational needs).

Participation in kindergarten care is obligatory for children aged 3 years for at least 4 hours per weekday. According to the Public Education Act (2011. évi CXC. törvény) children must attend kindergarten from 1 September of the year in which they reach the age of 3 years until 31 August of the following year. At the request of the child’s parent, the body designated by Government Decree may exempt the child from compulsory participation until the age of 4 years, or, in cases of special consideration, upon a further request until 31 August of the year in which the child reaches the age of 5 years, if the family circumstances or the special situation of the child justify it.