2026

Action Plan for 2026–2030 for the National Strategy for the Development of Coordinated Early Intervention and Early Childhood Care Services 2022–2030.

The Government of the Slovak Republic has approved the Action Plan for 2026–2030 for the National Strategy for the Development of Coordinated Early Intervention and Early Childhood Care Services 2022–2030 (Akčný plán na roky 2026 – 2030 k Národnej stratégii rozvoja koordinovaných služieb včasnej intervencie a ranej starostlivosti 2022 – 2030). This is the second action plan for the national strategy and represents interministerial cooperation between the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family; the Ministry of Health; and the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Youth. The Action Plan for 2026–2030 defines 19 measures that emphasize the creation of appropriate conditions to support the comprehensive development and social inclusion of young children.

In the area of education, the document addresses the integration of health care, social services, and the education system in supporting children aged 0–7, particularly those with developmental difficulties, disabilities, or from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and also includes the training of professionals and the coordination of a child’s transition between the various systems.

Introduction of compulsory pre-primary education from the age of 3 

In October 2025, the Slovak government approved an amendment to the Education Act (Act No. 323/2025 Coll. amending and supplementing Act No. 245/2008 Coll. on Education and Training), which will introduce earlier entry into compulsory pre-primary education. From September 2027, pre-primary education will be compulsory for all 4-year-olds and from September 2028 for all 3-year-olds. This change aims to ensure equal opportunities for quality education and success in life for all children in Slovakia.  

Three- and four-year-old children will be able to complete compulsory preschool education either in kindergarten, in another facility, or through home schooling. The condition for home schooling will be that the parent has completed secondary education. The content of education for the purposes of home schooling will be published by the Ministry of Education on its website. After the child reaches the age of 4, the level of education achieved will be assessed. This assessment will be carried out by the kindergarten chosen by the child's parent. If, even after repeated testing, the child does not demonstrate the level of competence, knowledge, and skills specified in the content of education for home schooling, the parent is obliged to place the child in kindergarten.  

The child will complete the last year of compulsory pre-primary education in kindergarten, as before. 

Increase in minimum qualification requirements for kindergarten teachers 

In October 2025, the Slovak government approved an amendment (Act No. 323/2025 Coll. amending and supplementing Act No. 245/2008 Coll. on Education and Training), which updated the Act on Pedagogical Employees and increased the minimum qualification requirements for teachers working in pre-primary education.    

While until now all teachers in pre-primary education were required to have at least upper secondary vocational education, from September 2029 kindergarten teachers educating children aged 5 must have at least a bachelor's degree. This change should ensure higher quality education for children before they start primary school and bring salary increase for teaching staff. 

2025

Normative Funding of Kindergartens

In January 2025, an amendment to the Act on the Financing of Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, and School Facilities (Act No. 290/2024 Coll.) came into effect, introducing changes to the kindergarten funding. The previous system, in which kindergartens were funded from the self-government's revenues, will be replaced by funding from the state budget—specifically from the budget of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Youth of the Slovak Republic.

The funding will be implemented through a normative system, similar to that of primary and secondary schools. Financial resources will be provided to school founders through regional school administration offices based on the seat of the founder’s headquarters.

Additionally, the existing education and training allowance will be abolished. It will be replaced by a new allowance designated for financing activities such as schools in nature, trips, excursions, sauna visits, sports training, and other activities in accordance with the school’s educational programme. This allowance is primarily intended for children for whom pre-primary education is mandatory or for children from households in material need. The funding of school meals will continue to be covered by personal income tax revenues.

2024

No reforms were implemented in this area.