Objectives and accessibility 

A child under the age of compulsory education receives early childhood education in an ECEC institution or at home. 

Early Childhood Education Act, adopted in 2024, regulates the provision of ECEC in municipal and private childcare facilities and kindergartens. With the adoption of the, the childcare service previously regarded as home-based provision and regulated by the Social Welfare Act became part of the early childhood education system. This led to raising the qualification requirements for childminders and introducing uniform requirements with regard to qualifications, group sizes, health and safety, etc. for all ECEC providers, irrespective of their ownership.

Childcare as a social service only remains available for children with special needs requiring extra care and assistance.

Requirements for childminders and child ratios 

The qualifications required from a childminder are at least secondary education and a level 4 professional qualification as a childminder, as well as proficiency Estonian.  

There can be up to 15 children in a childcare group. A childcare group of up to 3 years with at least one full-time teacher can have up to 16 children. A group of 3 to 7 year olds with at least one full-time teacher may have up to 20 children.

A childcare provider may form a composite group of children aged one and a half to seven years. A composite group may include up to 15 children. A composite group of at least one full-time teacher may include up to 18 children.