2026

Modernisation of preschool education

Reform of the education system for the green and digital transition

In 2026, the implementation of measures and projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, supported by the European Union through the Recovery and Resilience Facility – NextGenerationEU, will end. The Plan also included reforming the education system for the green and digital transition. See Section 13.2.

National report on the quality of the education system in Slovenia

In April 2026, the Ministry of Education published the national report on the quality of the education system Nacionalno poročilo o kakovosti sistema vzgoje in izobraževanja v Sloveniji.pdf, developed as part of the Analytical Centre project. See Section 13.2.

Merger of the areas of responsibility of two ministries

In May 2026, the Act amending the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Act (Zakon o spremembah Zakona o Vladi Republike Slovenije (ZVRS-K)) was published in the Official Gazette. The Act reorganises the ministries and their respective areas of responsibility. See Section 13.2.

Other policy developments

Quality assessment and assurance through self-evaluation

In August 2026, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth published the draft Rules on quality assessment and assurance through self-evaluation in education (predlog Pravilnika o ugotavljanju in zagotavljanju kakovosti s samoevalvacijo v vzgoji in izobraževanju). See Section 13.2.

Changes to the composition of kindergarten and school councils

In July 2026, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth published the draft Act amending the Organisation and Financing of Education Act (predlog spremembe Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja), which proposes changes to the composition of the councils of public kindergartens and schools. See Section 13.2.

Incentives for the professional development of education staff

In May 2026, the Ministry of Education published a call for applications for study grants to subsidise tuition fees for education staff undertaking further studies (Javni razpis študijskih pomoči za subvencioniranje šolnin za nadaljnje izobraževanje strokovnih delavcev v študijskem letu 2026/27).

The call provides subsidies for tuition fees for the further education of education staff employed in education institutions providing a public service, as well as in public institutions providing, as a public service, education under the adapted programme for preschool children with special educational needs or under the special education programme for children and young people with special educational needs. See Section 13.2.

In February 2026, the Ministry of Education published the public call for the selection and co-financing of professional training programmes (Javni razpis za izbor in sofinanciranje programov profesionalnega usposabljanja za šolsko leto 2026/27). See Section 13.2.

Measures to address shortages of education staff

In April 2026, the Ministry of Education published the public call for applications for scholarships in teacher education programmes (Javni razpis za dodelitev štipendij študentkam in študentom pedagoških študijskih programov v študijskem letu 2026/27) See Section 13.2.

Promoting participation in preschool education 

In February 2026, amendments to the Parental Protection and Family Benefits Act (spremembe Zakona o starševskem varstvu in družinskih prejemkih) were published in the Official Gazette. Among other changes, the provision granting a 20% increase in child benefit where a preschool child under the age of 4 does not attend kindergarten has been abolished. Under the previous arrangement, the individual child benefit amount was increased by 20% if a child under 4 was not enrolled in preschool education, in accordance with the relevant regulations. As sufficient places in kindergartens have been available in recent years – and the provision had originally been introduced at a time when access to places, particularly for younger children, was limited – the rationale for this supplement no longer applies.

Assessment of proficiency in the Slovenian language for education staff

In February 2026, the Ministry of Education published the draft Rules on the assessment of proficiency in standard Slovenian for education staff (predlog Pravilnika o preizkusu znanja slovenskega knjižnega jezika za strokovne delavce na področju vzgoje in izobraževanja). See Sectino 13. 2.

Measures to address the shortages of education staff

Since September 2025, trainees selected through a public call for traineeship placements in kindergartens (Javni razpis pripravniških mest v vrtcih za šolsko leto 2025/2026) have been undertaking their traineeships. In March 2026, a new call was published for traineeship placements (Javni razpis pripravniških mest v vrtcih za šolsko leto 2026/27).

The Ministry provides traineeship posts with employment contracts, comprising:

• Group A: 50 posts for preschool teachers 
• Group B: 30 posts for preschool teachers or counselling staff in kindergartens, as well as in schools and institutions providing education for children and young people with special needs. 

These posts relate to the implementation of publicly recognised pre-school programmes, adapted programmes for pre-school children with special needs, or programmes in private kindergartens that have obtained a positive opinion from the competent expert council and are entered in the official register of providers of publicly recognised education programmes, in accordance with the applicable legislation.

From September 2025 to March 2026, the Ministry of Education also actively promoted the teaching profession at five of the most widely attended education, careers and employment fairs in the country.

Provision of ICT equipment for educational institutions

In January 2026, the Ministry of Education published a second call for data from public educational institutions regarding their needs for information and communication technology (ICT) equipment (drugi poziv za pridobitev podatkov javnih vzgojno-izobraževalnih zavodov o potrebah glede opreme informacijsko-komunikacijske tehnologije), including two types of laptop computers. See Section 13.2.

2025

Modernization of preschool education

In November, the Act Amending the Kindergarten Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrtcih, SI pdf) was published in the Official Gazette. The amendments pursue two main objectives: to eliminate shortcomings in the current regulation that have emerged in practice, and to ensure conditions for the high-quality provision of preschool education. Among other things, the amendments relate to the financing of private kindergartens, the compulsory enrolment of children from Roma settlements in kindergartens, shorter programmes for preschool children, changes to the organisation of groups and units during school holidays, and the working obligations of preschool teachers regarding early intervention. 

Funding of private kindergartens

The Act Amending the Kindergarten Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrtcih) introduces important changes to the co-financing arrangements for private kindergartens that have not been granted a municipal concession. In Slovenia, municipalities are the founders of public kindergartens and play a central role in their financing. Under the previous legal framework, private kindergartens could operate either with a municipal concession – entitling them to full (100%) public funding – or without one, in which case they were eligible for co-financing amounting to 85% of the value of a comparable programme in a public kindergarten.

The amended legislation establishes a clearer distinction between these two models. Newly established private kindergartens that intend to implement an officially recognised programme (i.e. the national Kindergarten Curriculum) are now required to obtain a municipal concession, which ensures full public funding of the programme. By contrast, private kindergartens implementing alternative educational approaches (such as Steiner or Montessori pedagogy), as well as those delivering programmes adopted by their founders and having obtained a positive opinion from the Council of Experts of the Republic of Slovenia for General Education, remain eligible for co-financing at 85%. In these cases, the Council issues a positive opinion only if the programme, in addition to meeting statutory requirements, demonstrates a substantial difference in both content and implementation compared to the officially recognised curriculum.

In addition, the amendment introduces stricter conditions for granting concessions. Municipalities may no longer award concessions to newly established private kindergartens if there are sufficient places available in public kindergartens to accommodate all children, or if demographic trends in the municipality lead to a reduction in the number of groups in public provision. The duration of concessions is also standardised, with a minimum period of 7 years and a maximum of 15 years, reflecting the inherent uncertainty of long-term demand. Previously, concessions could be granted for periods ranging from 5 to 20 years.

Finally, transitional provisions ensure continuity of funding for existing providers. Private kindergartens that, at the time of the Act’s entry into force, have already acquired the right to receive funding from municipal budgets pursuant to Article 34(5) of the Kindergarten Act (Zakon o vrtcih) will continue to receive funding from both municipal and state budgets, in accordance with Articles 34 and 36 of the Act, until 31 August 2030.

Standards regarding the number of children per group (increase of +2)

The Act Amending and Supplementing the Kindergarten Act (Zakonom o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrtcih ) abolishes, inter alia, the provision on the flexible standard (Article 17(2)), which previously allowed municipalities to increase the number of children in kindergarten groups by up to two. This mechanism enabled municipalities to regulate group sizes independently, depending on local circumstances and needs. The amendment, which removes this possibility, will enter into force on 1 September 2030. 

New Kindergarten Curriculum in the Kindergarten Curriculum in the adapted programme

In February 2025, the Council of Experts of the Republic of Slovenia for General Education adopted the Kindergarten Curriculum and the Curriculum for Kindergartens in the Adapted Programme for preschool children with special educational needs (Strokovni svet sprejel nova programska dokumenta za vrtce). These documents represent the first officially approved papers within the framework of the curricular reform of the Slovenian education system.

In April 2025, the Official Gazette published the decisions confirming the adoption of both documents by the council of experts: the Decision on the Programme for Preschool Children – Kindergarten Curriculum and the Decision on the Adapted Programme for Preschool Children with Special Educational Needs – Curriculum for Kindergartens in the Adapted Programme (Sklep o programu za predšolske otroke Kurikulum za vrtce Sklep o prilagojenem programu za predšolske otroke s posebnimi potrebami Kurikulum za vrtce v prilagojenem programu).

The Kindergarten Curriculum will enter into force at the beginning of the new 2025/26 school year, while the Curriculum for Kindergartens in the Adapted Programme will be implemented in the following school year, i.e. 2026/27.

The main innovations in the Kindergarten Curriculum are grounded in contemporary conceptual frameworks that emphasise early learning, play as a key means of development, and greater parental involvement. The child is regarded as a competent individual who actively participates in the process, with independence, curiosity, and cognitive flexibility encouraged.

Emphasis is placed on ensuring emotional security, on the teacher's role as a model of communication, and on high-quality interactions with children. The updated field of movement includes promoting physical development, outdoor play, and risk-taking play that strengthens self-confidence. The revised Curriculum considers sensitive developmental periods and development as a continuous process, which allows for greater individualisation and differentiation.

The innovations also include an adapted approach to group activities in the first age period, support for the inclusion of children from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, and the promotion of sustainable development. Cross-curricular skills and competences are clearly defined and linked to the six areas of activity: Society, Movement, Language, Mathematics, Nature, and Art.

The Curriculum for Kindergartens in the Adapted Programme for Preschool Children with Special Educational Needs has been revised, building on and strengthening the 2006 edition. Designed to be used alongside the Kindergarten Curriculum (2025), it introduces targeted adaptations to better support children with special educational needs.

Key features include tailored pedagogical guidance for working with children experiencing developmental delays, physical or cognitive impairments, communication difficulties, or long-term health conditions. The curriculum also places strong emphasis on individualised approaches that respond to each child’s specific needs. Focus is placed on developing communication skills, social interaction, and emotional expression, while providing additional professional support to staff working in groups following the adapted programme.

In August 2025, the project Curricular Renewal – New Pathways to Knowledge (Kurikularna prenova - nove poti do znanja) was launched. Its objective is to equip teaching and leadership staff in education with the competences required for the effective implementation of updated curricular documents in educational practice. The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and by the Republic of Slovenia under the 2021–2027 European Cohesion Policy Programme. See Section 13. 2.

Registration of private Kindergartens in the register of officially recognized programmes

In June 2025, the Act Amending the Organization and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja) was published in the Official Gazette. The amendments introduce, among other measures, institutional self-evaluation in kindergartens and schools, the registration of private kindergartens offering programmes based on specific pedagogical principles, revised procedures for the appointment and dismissal of kindergarten and school head-teachers, and a refined role of the councils of public kindergartens and schools. See Section 13. 2.

Reform of the School Inspection

In July 2025, the new School Inspection Act Zakon o šolski inšpekciji was published in the Official Gazette. The Act introduces several significant changes to the Education Inspectorate's work. The two key innovations are the introduction of systemic reviews and the provision of professional support. See Section 13. 2.

Other policy developments

Registration of private kindergartens and schools in the register of officially recognised programmes

In June 2025, the Act amending the Organisation and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja) was published in the Official Gazette. The amendments introduce, among other measures, institutional self-evaluation in kindergartens and schools, the registration of private providers delivering programmes based on specific pedagogical principles, revised procedures for the appointment and dismissal of headteachers, and adjustments to the powers of the councils of public kindergartens and schools.

The amendments stipulate that private kindergartens or schools implementing programmes based on special pedagogical principles must employ teaching staff in accordance with a programme granted official recognition under the Act. Previously, institutions had to provide a certificate from the relevant international association of schools or kindergartens confirming compliance with such principles. If a programme specifies particular equipment requirements, the institution must provide the required equipment; if not, it must comply with the equipment standards applicable to public kindergartens and schools.

In addition, if the competent council of experts modifies a programme for which a provider is already registered, the provider is automatically considered registered for the amended programme unless the revised programme introduces different implementation conditions.

Inclusion of the Slovenian sign language and the language of the deafblind

The Act Amending the Organisation and Financing of Education Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja) also formally recognises Slovenian Sign Language and the language of the deafblind as languages of instruction within the education system. See Section 13.2.

Promoting participation in preschool education

The Act Amending the Kindergarten Act (Zakonom o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrtcih) also seeks to ensure the inclusion of children from Roma settlements in kindergarten who, one year before compulsory entry into basic education, have not previously attended preschool education. The amendment imposes an obligation on both kindergartens and municipalities to promote the enrolment of children from the Roma community who live in officially registered Roma settlements.

Based on data on the number of preschool children living in such settlements, municipalities are required, for each school year, to designate a kindergarten to organise a short programme of 240 hours. This programme is intended for children who will turn 5 by the end of the calendar year and who are not enrolled in kindergarten as of 30 April of the current year. Where parents do not enrol their child in any kindergarten programme, the competent municipal authority must notify the relevant social work centre. This measure follows the policy guidelines for legislative proposals concerning Roma issues (Izhodiščem za pripravo predlogov zakonov glede romske tematike) adopted by the Government in December 2024. 

The Act further introduces the possibility of enrolling a child in kindergarten based on an opinion issued by a social work centre. Where, while working with a family, the centre assesses that it is in the best interests of a child, who will turn six in the following school year, to be enrolled in kindergarten as soon as possible, it may issue such an opinion. Failure to act upon this opinion, or irregular attendance, is considered to jeopardise the child’s right to education, as it affects equal learning opportunities in comparison with peers. Accordingly, kindergartens are required to inform the social work centre if a child is not enrolled or does not attend regularly. The centre then acts in accordance with the Family Code (Article 180). The aim of this provision is to ensure the timely inclusion of children from vulnerable groups or those with special educational needs, with enrolment in a short programme (240 hours annually) envisaged as a last-resort measure in the year prior to entry into basic education.

Enrolment or withdrawal in cases of domestic violence

The amended Act (Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o vrtcih) also stipulates that, in cases of domestic violence where one parent leaves the household with the child, that parent may enrol or withdraw the child from kindergarten without the consent of the other parent, if the latter is the perpetrator of violence. In such cases, the kindergarten enrols or withdraws the child based on an official assessment confirming that the child is at risk due to domestic violence, as recorded in the registers maintained by social work centres.

This provision addresses situations in which, due to domestic violence, one parent relocates with the child (e.g. to a safe house or a mother-and-child home in another area), but the child cannot be enrolled in a new kindergarten because the other parent does not consent. Such circumstances are not in the child’s best interests, particularly given the vulnerability associated with family violence. The amendment, therefore, establishes a legal basis allowing one parent to decide on enrolment or withdrawal without the consent of the abusive parent.

Annual work plan of the kindergarten

The amendment also extends the scope of the kindergarten’s annual work plan. In addition to existing elements, it must now define the organisation of groups and units during school holidays, including the possible temporary closure of individual units and the designation of duty units. It must also cover the provision of enrichment and educational activities, activities for children not enrolled in kindergarten, measures to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment, and staff training in this context.

In practice, kindergartens already adapt their organisation during school holidays, for example, by merging groups or temporarily closing units due to lower attendance. The amendment formalises these practices within the annual work plan.

Charging of costs in cases of unreported absence

The Act introduces a legal basis that allows kindergartens to charge parents certain costs for days when a child’s absence has not been reported in accordance with the rules, resulting in unnecessary expenditure (e.g., staffing and food provision). The founding municipality adopts a regulation specifying the amount of such eligible costs.

Kindergartens have observed that some parents, particularly those whose childcare is fully subsidised, do not inform them in advance of planned absences (e.g. holidays). This leads to avoidable waste, including surplus food and unnecessary staff presence. The amendment, therefore, enables kindergartens, in cooperation with municipalities, to adopt measures allowing them to charge these costs even to parents who do not otherwise pay fees.

Workload of preschool teachers for early intervention

The amendment also defines the workload of early childhood educators in early intervention, both in terms of content and the extent of direct work with children. This includes providing additional professional support and preventive activities for children at risk. 

Financing of short programme groups in kindergartens

The Act further specifies a particular type of short programme for preschool children, consisting of 240 hours annually. These programmes are intended for children who will turn 5 by the end of the calendar year and are not enrolled in kindergarten. They are financed from the state budget and are free of charge for parents. This type of programme was first introduced by the amendment to the Kindergarten Act, which took effect in October 2017.

Measures to address the shortages of education staff

In September 2025, the Ministry of Education amended the existing public call for scholarships for students enrolled in initial teacher education programmes for the 2025/26 academic year, and scholarships were awarded in November 2025. See Section 13.2.

In June 2025, the Ministry also issued a public call to encourage retired education staff to re-engage in educational work. The aim is to enable experienced education staff to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the quality of education provision. See Section 13.2.

Incentives for the professional development of education staff

In August 2025, the project Curricular Renewal – New Pathways to Knowledge (Kurikularna prenova - nove poti do znanja) was launched. Its objective is to equip education staff and leaders with the competences needed for the effective implementation of updated curricular documents in educational practice. The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and by the Republic of Slovenia under the 2021–2027 European Cohesion Policy Programme. See Section 13.2.

In the 2025/26 school year, implementation of the project Strengthening the competences of teaching and leadership staff in managing innovative educational institutions (2024–2028) (Krepitev kompetenc strokovnih in vodstvenih delavcev na področju vodenja inovativnega vzgojno-izobraževalnega zavoda v obdobju od 2024 do 2028) also continues. The project aims to develop competences related to inclusion, responding to social and environmental change, quality assurance through data use, support for self-evaluation processes, and the improvement of teaching, learning, lifelong learning and innovative approaches. It is likewise co-financed by the ESF+ and the Republic of Slovenia. See Section 13.2.

Pay system reform

In May 2025, the Rules Amending the Rules on Standards for the Provision of Preschool Education Activities (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o normativih za opravljanje dejavnosti predšolske vzgoje) was published in the Official Gazette. The amendments are, among other things, related to the selection of the new accounting-administrative job posts compliant to the Annexe to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in the Republic of Slovenia (https://www.uradni-list.si/glasilo-uradni-list-rs/vsebina/2024-01-3093/aneks-h-kolektivni-pogodbi-za-dejavnost-vzgoje-in-izobrazevanja-v-republiki-sloveniji), provision of additional professional support in kindergartens, the funding of more favourable staffing ratios, and the introduction of a mentoring allowance for the supervision of secondary school students and students during compulsory practical training. 

The Annexe to the Collective Agreement for Education in Slovenia establishes graded posts for administrative and accounting staff and sets out the criteria for filling new positions. Consequently, the provision contained in the regulation constitutes a binding obligation arising from the Annexe. The regulation further stipulates that, in kindergartens operating within basic schools, administrative and accounting posts must be classified in a manner that reflects both the kindergarten and school departments.

The new Public Sector Pay System Foundations Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 95/24) extends the entitlement to a mentoring allowance to the supervision of secondary school students and higher education students undertaking compulsory practical training. In line with this, the regulation has been amended to specify the standards governing the payment of mentoring allowances for secondary students and higher education students completing mandatory practice.

Provision of additional professional support in kindergartens

From 1 September 2024, kindergartens introduced a new post — early intervention preschool teacher — responsible for delivering additional professional support. This amendment also brings the Rules Amending the Rules on Standards for the Provision of Preschool Education Activities (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o normativih za opravljanje dejavnosti predšolske vzgoje into line with the provision on such support in kindergartens. The Rules define the basic standard of support, while early intervention centres provide more complex services. Specialist pedagogical services in areas such as typhlopedagogy, surdopedagogy, social pedagogy and speech therapy may be delivered by institutions for children and young people with special needs and by basic schools offering adapted and special programmes.

The amendment further allows a kindergarten’s professional team to decide, where necessary, that more children with special needs may remain in a group until the end of the school year than would generally be permitted under the first paragraph of Article 29 of the Rules.

Financing of more favourable staffing ratios in kindergartens

The Rules Amending the Rules on Standards for the Provision of the Preschool Education Activities (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o normativih za opravljanje dejavnosti predšolske vzgoj), adopted in May, stipulate, inter alia, that where a municipality grants a kindergarten a more favourable staffing ratio, the municipality must ensure financing from other sources and not from the kindergarten programme price.

Measures to strengthen digital and sustainability competences

In April and May 2025, a Public Call "Enhanced Provision of Quality and Accessible Learning and the Introduction of Circular Content in Educational Institutions in the SAŠA region" and a Public Call "Enhanced Provision of Quality and Accessible Learning and the Introduction of Circular Content in Educational Institutions in the Zasavje Region" were published in the Official Gazette. (Javni razpis  Obogateno izvajanje kakovostnega in dostopnega učenja ter uvajanja krožnih vsebin v VIZ SAŠA regije in Javni razpis za obogateno izvajanje kakovostnega in dopustnega učenja ter uvajanja krožnih vsebin v VIZ zasavske regije). These initiatives aim to improve the quality, inclusiveness and efficiency of education, while reducing the gap between the knowledge and skills acquired by young people in education and the needs of the labour market. They focus on developing, enriching and strengthening digital, entrepreneurial and sustainability (green) competences. See Section 13.2.

Measures to reduce the shortage of education staff

In June 2025, the Public Call for Study Support for the Subsidization of Tuition Fees for the Further Education of Education Staff in the 2025/26 Academic Year (Razpis študijskih pomoči za subvencioniranje šolnin za nadaljnje izobraževanje strokovnih delavcev v študijskem letu 2025/26) was published in the Official Gazette. See Section 13.2.

In April, the Rules Amending the Rules on Traineeships for Education Staff in Education (Pravilnik o spremembah Pravilnika o pripravništvu strokovnih delavcev na področju vzgoje in izobraževanja) were published in the Official Gazette. Section 13.2.

In March, the Public Call for Trainee Posts in Kindergartens for the 2025/26 School Year (Javni razpis pripravniških mest v vrtcih za šolsko leto 2025/2026) was published in the Official Gazette. See Section 13.2.

Amendment of educational requirements for teachers

In January 2025, the Rules on the Education of Preschool Teachers and Other Education Staff in Programmes for Preschool Children and in Adapted Programmes for Preschool Children with Special Educational Needs (Pravilnik o izobrazbi vzgojiteljev predšolskih otrok in drugih strokovnih delavcev v programih za predšolske otroke in v prilagojenih programih za predšolske otroke s posebnimi potrebami) were published in the Official Gazette. Section 13.2.

Provision of ICT equipment for educational institutions

In January 2025, the Ministry of Education published a second call for data from public educational institutions regarding their needs for information and communication technology (ICT) equipment (drugi poziv za pridobitev podatkov javnih vzgojno-izobraževalnih zavodov o potrebah glede opreme informacijsko-komunikacijske tehnologije), including two types of laptop computers. See Section 13.2.

2024

Modernisation of preschool education

Inclusion of Roma children in education

In September 2024, the National Assembly adopted a Recommendation to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on the effectiveness of the treatment of Roma issues (Priporočilo Vladi Republike Slovenije v zvezi z učinkovitostjo obravnave romske problematike)  in which it recommends that the Government develop systemic solutions and measures, including amending the legislation so that subsidies for children not attending kindergartens are only available to beneficiaries who are unable to enrol their child in the preschool education process due to a lack of places or the non-existence of places in public kindergartens.

In December 2024, the Slovenian government adopted the Baselines for the preparation of draft laws on Roma issues (Izhodišča za pripravo predlogov zakonov glede romske tematike). The draft laws address key challenges facing the Roma community and include measures in the areas of education, employment, housing and strengthening cooperation between key stakeholders. The measures envisaged in the field of education include the inclusion of Roma children in the preschool education system in the year before they enter compulsory basic education, additional support for their inclusion into the basic education system through the teaching of the Slovenian language and more consistent measures to ensure attendance at classes.

Planned amendments to the Kindergarten Act: 

• Inclusion of Roma children into the preschool education system who were not yet enrolled in the year before compulsory entry into basic school;
• collection of data on the basis of ethnicity to enable the exercise of the right to education; and
• the implementation of responsible parenthood in terms of ensuring equal opportunities and guaranteed rights for members of the Roma community.

Furthermore, with the Parental Care and Family Benefits Act the deletion of a provision increasing child benefit by 20% is also envisaged if a preschool child under the age of four does not attend kindergarten. Currently, for a preschool child under the age of four who is not enrolled in preschool education in accordance with the regulations governing kindergartens, the individual amount of the child allowance is increased by 20 per cent. Since there is enough space in kindergartens in recent years and the provision was introduced for the reason that a few years ago it was very difficult to get a place in a kindergarten, especially for younger children, the reason for such increase has been removed.

Reform of the wage system

In November 2024, representatives of the government and public sector trade unions signed collective agreements or annexes to contracts and agreements, which form the basis for a reform of the wage system. See National reforms in school education.

Strengthening the mental health of children and adolescents

In December 2024, the Ministry of Health launched the Call for Proposals "Development of a programme to overcome anxiety in children and adolescents" (Javni razpis »Razvoj programa za premagovanje anksioznosti otrok in mladostnikov«), which aims to create supportive environments to promote mental health in the family, kindergartens, schools and programmes to prevent the development of mental disorders. See National reforms in school education.

Final draft National Education Programme for the period 2023–2033

In July 2024, the relevant working group developed the final draft National Education Programme for 2023–2033. It makes provision, among other things, for children not attending kindergarten, the possibility of attending a shorter kindergarten programme of 240 to 480 hours from March to the end of the given school year or August 31. This differs from the initial draft programme, which put forward a compulsory day programme free of charge for children not attending kindergarten one year before starting school. Furthermore, the final draft programme makes provision for limiting the size of an independent kindergarten, downward or upward, subject to the number of classes, i.e. from 10 to 45 classes. It proposed the phasing in of the requirements relevant to higher educational qualifications for kindergarten headteachers, i.e. they would now need to complete at least the second-cycle study programme. To learn more about the final draft National Education Programme, see the National reforms in school education.

Kindergarten Curriculum

In May 2024, the National Education Institute appointed 917 members to the various curricular committees (different areas of work, common objectives, areas, subjects, 1^st three-year period – 63 in total) for the modernization of education programmes (prenova izobraževalnih programov), of which almost a fifth (166) were the Institute’s advisers, others were members external to the Institute, 224 of whom were from the higher education institutions. In July 2024, the report on the progress of modernizing the education system for green and digital transitions (poročilo o napredku) was published. At the headteachers’ conference (konferenca ravnateljev in ravnateljic) in August 2024, the National Education Institute introduced the updates to the draft Kindergarten Curriculum.

Kindergarten size limitations to support quality

In May 2024, the Ministry of Education published a draft Act amending the Organisation and Financing of Education Act (predlog Zakona o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o organizaciji in financiranju vzgoje in izobraževanja). The proposed amendments concern, among other things, the introduction of institutional self-evaluation in kindergartens and schools, the establishment of a maximum number of classes in public kindergartens, updates to the procedure for appointing and dismissing headteachers of kindergartens and schools, a change in the powers of the council of a public kindergarten or school.

The draft law stipulates, among others, that public kindergartens can now operate with a maximum of 45 classes. As shown in practice, the setting of a kindergarten is a factor in pursuing quality programme activities. The reasoning behind the proposed change points to the capacity of the headteacher in their role as both the management body and the pedagogical leader. It has been shown that in full settings, the first minimises the second role of pedagogical leadership. To learn more about the final draft national programme see National reforms in school education.

Other policy developments

As of 1 September 2024, by the Rules amending the Rules on norms to provide preschool education in kindergartens (Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o normativih za opravljanje dejavnosti predšolske vzgoje) a new position of preschool teacher for early treatment shall be classified. There is also a more favourable norm for the counsellor (1 position in a kindergarten with 20 classes instead of 1 position in a kindergarten with 30 classes) to harmonise the improved norm across all levels.

In August 2024 the relevant Rules on the procedure and requirements for education staff and education staff in social-care institutions if employed in education (Pravilnik o postopku in pogojih za pridobitev naziva strokovnih sodelavcev in strokovnih delavcev socialnovarstvenih zavodov ob zaposlitvi na področju vzgoje in izobraževanja) was published in the official gazette. For further information see National reforms in school education.

In June 2024, the Ministry of Education invited to apply for co-funding the project on developing computer thinking by integrating STEM kits in kindergartens and schools for classes 1 to 5 (Javni razpis »Razvoj računalniškega mišljenja z vključevanjem STEM kompletov v vrtcih in osnovnih šolah od 1. do 5. razreda«). For more information see National reforms in school education.

In June 2024, the Ministry of Education opened an invitation to apply for study aid to subsidise fees for continuous education of education staff in the 2024/25 academic year (Javni razpis študijskih pomoči za subvencioniranje šolnin za nadaljnje izobraževanje strokovnih delavcev v študijskem letu 2024/25). For further information see National reforms in school education.

In April 2024, the Ministry of Education advertised 50 traineeship posts for assistant preschool teachers (lot A) and 30 positions for preschool teachers or counsellors (lot B) in kindergartens for the 2024/2025 year (Javni razpis pripravniških mest v vrtcih za leto 2024/25), namely in kindergartens registered to provide preschool education in kindergartens, schools and educational institutions for SEN children and adolescents. The estimated value of funding the traineeship in the employment relationship is €1,166,950.00.

In February 2024, the Ministry of Education opened an invitation to apply for selection and co-finding of continuous professional development programmes for the 2024/2025 school year (Javni razpis za izbor in sofinanciranje programov profesionalnega usposabljanja za šolsko leto 2024/25). For further information see National reforms in school education.

In February 2024, the decision determining the job positions in kindergartens, schools and educational institution for SEN children and adolescents at which public employees are entitled to a bonus as specified under item 8 Article 39 of the Collective Agreement for Public Sector (Sklep o določitvi delovnih mest v vrtcih, šolah in zavodih za vzgojo in izobraževanje otrok in mladostnikov s posebnimi potrebami) was published in the official gazette. For further information see National reforms in school education.

2023

Modernisation of preschool education

For the "Modernisation of education programmes by modernising key programme documents” project (Kindergarten Curriculum, subject-curricula and knowledge catalogues), most of the relevant curricula committees were appointed, and the curricular committee for modernisation of the Kindergarten Curriculum, too.

In November 2023, the minister responsible for education appointed the working group to draft the new Kindergarten Act. Members of the group are representatives of the ministry, trade unions, municipalities, and representatives of public and private kindergartens. The appointment aims to draw up harmonised draft changes to norms, funding of private kindergartens and certain other duties and activities at a system level. Numerous contextual issues that require discussion and recommending legal solutions, include the question of proper systemic funding of private kindergartens without concession but entitled to municipal funding of 85 percent for each child enrolled equal to the municipal funding allocated if the child would be enrolled in a public kindergarten. The working group should complete its activities by the end of 2024. The new proposed solutions must include estimates of financial consequences to municipal and state budgets, and a timeline to comply with them. 

Other policy developments

In November 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the amended rules on professional examination for education staff. See chapter 14.2.

In September 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the rules on criteria and methods of allocating funding for material costs in education institutions for children and youth with special needs. See Chapter 14.2.

In September 2023, the Act Determining Intervention Measures for Recovery from the Floods and Landslides of August 2023 was published in the official gazette. Among others, it provided the exclusion of payment by parents for the time a child had not attended kindergarten since August 4 2023 because of floods or recovery after the floods. Based on it, the minister responsible for education adopted in October the relevant guidelines on issuing claims for the shortfall of payment by parents and compensation to kindergartens.

In August 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the Promotion of education staff to titles Rules. See chapter 14.2.

In July 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on norms of pursuing the activity of preschool education. The rules provide a lower requirement for a counsellor in a kindergarten, and education staff who provide early treatment by additional professional help, communicating in the Slovenian sign language, or pursuing activities with deaf-blind children. The rules also determine in detail the requirements of professional educational qualifications for a diet cook, as well as a lower norm of a class in a modified education programme including children with autistic spectrum disorder (max. four children).

In June 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the Rules amending the Rules on norms and minimal technical requirements for kindergarten rooms and equipment. The Rules provide, among others, a time extension until 1 September 2028 for deviating from the required norm of play area size of min 3 m² per child. The minimum norm of the inner play area size during the transitional period is 2 m² per child and applies to all age groups. The Rules also provide for a building of a kindergarten to have rooms on several floors (before it provided only for one floor about the ground floor), whereby the rooms for children can be on the ground floor or first floor up at most, and the other rooms can be on higher floors. The Rules also provide for the denomination of the central space to multipurpose space, whereby the multipurpose space can be located anywhere within the building of a kindergarten and the kindergarten setting in a building not built exclusively for a kindergarten.

In June 2023, the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption invited to submit proposals for developing an educational aid for teaching children integrity in kindergartens. The tool should be developed in particular for children of the second age group, to instill children the integrity and behaving with integrity, helping children identify with such behaviours, and make them aware of the importance such behaviours have for an individual and the whole community.

In June 2023, the Act amending the Organisation and Financing of Education Act was published in the official gazette Uradni list Republike Slovenije. See chapter 14.3.

In April 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Child Guarantee Action Plan of the Republic of Slovenia. See chapter 14.2.

In March 2023, the ministry responsible for education advertised traineeship posts in kindergartens for the 2023/2024 year. The advertisement was for 50 traineeship posts for pursuing the educational activities of a preschool teacher assistant, and 30 traineeship posts for pursuing the educational activities of a preschool teacher or counsellor in a kindergarten, school, or institute for the education of SEN children and youth. It involved an employment relationship agreement for a traineeship job.

In March 2023, the ministry responsible for education developed draft rules on early treatment in educational institutes and other providers of education programmes for SEN preschool children. The rules determined in depth the implementation of provisions under the third chapter of the relevant Act. Among others, it provided for the option of helping children with different factors and children with special needs, the paths of cooperation between educational institutions and other providers of the education programmes for SEN preschool children with the early treatment centre, criteria for granting separate types of help, and relevant forms.

In March 2023, the ministry responsible for education made a call for applications for co-funding professional training for the 2023/2024 school year. See chapter 14.2.

In February 2023, the minister responsible for education adopted the:

• Rules amending the Rules on the teaching certification examination
• Rules amending the Rules on the selection and co-funding of continuing education and training programmes for education staff, and

another three rules in the field of education in ethnically mixed areas. For all see Chapter 14.2.

In January 2023, the Annex to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in the Republic of Slovenia was published in the official gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. It introduced an increase in salary for teachers of preschool children – assistants by four salary grades. It also determined the classification of the Senior Councillor and Assistant posts and higher categories of classification for the Assistant VII/”2 in Young Researcher VII/2 posts, as it has been undertaken previously.