Kindergartens implementing specific pedagogical approaches

In the 2025/26 school year, preschool education was delivered by 413 kindergartens, of which 108 were independent institutions, 210 operated within basic schools, and 95 were private providers. Most of the children (94%) attended public kindergartens.

Private providers may also offer programmes based on specific pedagogical approaches:

• Private kindergartens may also implement programmes based on specific pedagogical principles:
• Programme of the Waldorf Kindergarten Program Waldorfskega vrtca (SI, pdf)
• Programme of the Waldorf Kindergarten Maribor Program Waldorfskega zasebnega vrtca Ljubljana (SI, pdf)
• Programme of the Waldorf kindergarten Ljubljana Program zasebnega vrtca Pingvin (SI, pdf)
• Programme of a private kindergarten Pingvin Program Waldorfskega vrtca Maribor (SI, pdf)
• Angelin vrtec – programme of the Montessori Kindergarten Program Vrtca Lavra (SI, doc)
• Vrtec Lavra – Lavra Karmen Vicuña private kindergarten Sončni žarek, katoliški program (SI, pdf)
• Sončni žarek – catholic programme Angelin vrtec Program Montessori vrtca (SI, pdf)
• Programme Hiša otrok Montessori Program Hiša otrok Montessori (SI, pdf)
• Programme Hiša otrok Mali princ – educational project Montessori Program Hiša otrok mali princ, vzgojni projekt Montessori (SI, pdf)
• Programme of the Montessori Kindergarten Program vrtca Montessori (SI, pdf)
• Programme of the Nazaret Kindergarten Program Vrtca Nazaret (SI, pdf).

Source: Ministry of Education

Kindergartens in ethnically mixed areas

In ethnically mixed areas inhabited by the Slovenian population and the Italian national community, preschool education is organised either in Slovenian, with children being introduced to Italian, or in Italian, with children being introduced to Slovenian.

In areas inhabited by the Slovenian population and the Hungarian national community, preschool education in bilingual kindergartens is delivered simultaneously in both languages (Slovenian and Hungarian).

In accordance with the applicable norms and standards, the state budget covers the additional costs of provision where Italian is used as the language of instruction or where provision is bilingual. It also co-finances investment in the premises and equipment of kindergartens in ethnically mixed areas.

Preschool education in hospitals

In larger towns, preschool education is also provided for children in hospital. In the 2020/21 school year, ten hospital-based kindergarten units were in operation.

In line with prescribed norms and standards, the state budget funds kindergarten classes in hospitals serving the national territory. It also covers half of the expenditure on salaries, allowances, taxes and social security contributions for preschool teachers in other hospital-based classes, subject to approval by the ministry responsible for education.