Public Institutions

In accordance with the Ministry of National Education Regulation on Pre-primary Education and Primary Education Institutions, education in official pre-primary education institutions (kindergartens, nursery classes, and practice classes) is free of charge. However, a contribution fee may be collected to support the fulfillment of children’s basic needs, self-care processes, and the implementation of the education program during school hours. These fees are determined by the provincial or district directorates of national education under MoNE. The socio-economic conditions of the surrounding area is taken into account when setting the contribution fee. The ceiling for this fee cannot be set high, in order to promote the expansion of pre-primary education and avoid placing a financial burden on families. In addition, children of martyrs, war veterans, and families experiencing financial hardship are exempt from the contribution fee, up to one-tenth of the total student quota, provided that the relevant documents are submitted. Priority is also given to children with special educational needs.

Private Institutions

In addition to public schools, private pre-primary education institutions affiliated with MoNE operate on a fee-based model. Alongside these, there are also private nurseries and day care centers established, operated, and supervised by MoFSS, municipal childcare centers, institutions established under the Civil Servants Law, 4–6-year-old courses affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs, and institutions established under the Labor Law. According to the Regulation on the Principles of Establishment and Operation of Private Nurseries, Day Care Centers, and Private Children’s Clubs, the income of such institutions consists of contributions from the founders and fees collected from parents for the care, feeding, and education of the children. These fees are determined based on the services provided, the needs of the children, the socio-economic conditions of the surrounding area, and the operational costs and depreciation of the institution. Institutions may admit children at a lower fee than the officially announced rate but may not charge above the announced fee under any circumstance. To ensure equal opportunity for disadvantaged children, 3% of the capacity of private nurseries and day care centers is allocated for free use by children identified by the Provincial Directorate of MoFSS. Eligible children for this free quota include:

• Children of martyrs and veterans, regardless of economic status; children under institutional protection affiliated with MoFSS; and children staying with their mothers who are incarcerated or detained.
• Children from economically disadvantaged families; orphans; children living with a single parent; children with parents who have disabilities; and children of women currently residing in or who have left women’s shelters.

Enrollment-Admission Requirements, and Institution Selection

According to the MoNE Regulation on Pre-primary Education and Primary Education Institutions, enrollment in public pre-primary education institutions begins on the first working day of July each year. Enrollment is conducted through the e-Okul system, based on residential address information in the national address database. Children aged 57–68 months as of the end of September in the year of enrollment are eligible for kindergarten, nursery classes, and practice classes. After enrolling children within the designated school registration area who will start primary school in the following academic year, children aged 36–56 months may also be enrolled in kindergartens and practice classes, and children aged 45–56 months in nursery classes with sufficient physical capacity. In schools where there are not enough children to form separate age groups, children aged 36–68 months can be enrolled in the same kindergarten class. Children aged 69–71 months whose primary school enrollment has been deferred for one year and who have not previously attended preprimary education are prioritized for enrollment 

Children aged 36–68 months can enroll in private kindergarten, while children aged 45–68 months can enroll in private kindergartens and nursery classes. There is no specific enrollment period for these institutions. For admission to private nurseries and day care centers under the supervision of MoFSS, parents must submit a petition along with the required documentation. Withdrawal from the institution also requires a petition from the parent. Only children with mild mental, visual, hearing, speech, and physical disabilities may be admitted, provided their condition is stated in a report from a relevant institution. All necessary precautions are taken to prevent discrimination against children.

Number of Students and Staff

Number of Students

In order to open a kindergarten affiliated to MoNE, there must be at least 20 students. In practice classes and kindergartens, the number of children should not be less than 10 and not more than 20. However, the number of children can be increased if there is demand and the school’s facilities are sufficient. If the number of children is too high, a second group can be formed. No new group can be formed before the maximum number of children in each group is reached. Groups whose number of children falls below 10 during the academic year are first merged with other groups. If this is not possible, these groups continue their education until the end of the academic year. In addition, according to the MoNE Regulation on Opening, Closing and Naming Institutions, in order to increase access to pre-primary education, kindergarten classes can be opened in villages and similar settlements with small and scattered populations if there are at least 5 children.

There is no minimum number of students required to open private pre-primary education institutions affiliated to MoNE. Class size in private pre-primary education institutions cannot be more than 20. In private nurseries and day care centers affiliated to the MoFSS, a group is formed with a maximum of 10 children in the 0–24-month group. For each group, a group supervisor and at least one babysitter are assigned. In the group of children aged 25-66 months, a group is formed with a maximum of 20 children.

Qualifications of Personnel

In MoNE-affiliated pre-primary education institutions, one pre-primary teacher is assigned per group and is responsible for the educational activities of that group. These teachers must hold a degree from the pre-primary education departments of higher education institutions. Additionally, in pre-primary education institutions, within the scope of available resources to support children who do not have sufficient self-care skills, one “support education staff member” may be assigned per two groups, with at least one such staff member employed at each pre-primary education institution, In private nurseries and day care centers under the MoFSS, each group must have at least one group supervisor and one childminder. Group supervisors must be graduates of child development and education programs at vocational and technical secondary education institutions, with preference given to those holding a bachelor’s or associate degree in pre-primary education, kindergarten teaching, child development, or related fields. For childminder, priority is given to high schools graduates, they must complete at least compulsory education of their time and hold a certificate in childcare issued by MoNE. Graduates of vocational and technical secondary education institutions in relevant fields are exempt from the certification requirement.