The aim of pre-primary education is to ensure the development of children’s bodies, minds, and emotions, and to help them acquire correct habits in alignment with the general objectives and basic principles of national education. It aims to prepare children for primary school, create a common upbringing environment for children from disadvantaged environments and families, support their adaptation to social life, and ensure they speak Turkish accurately and fluently.

In Türkiye, pre-primary education and care are provided by the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) and Ministry of Family and Social Services (MoFSS). In the current system, MoNE is generally responsible for the education of children aged 36 months and above, while different institutions play a role in the care and education of younger children. Specifically, the care and education of children aged 0-36 months is overseen by MoFSS while MoNE and MoFSS jointly manage the education of children aged 36-68 months.

According to the Basic Law on National Education, pre-primary education in Türkiye is voluntary. However, the Law on Special Education makes pre-primary education compulsory for children with special educational needs. Public institutions provide pre-primary education services free of charge, while private educational institutions, private nurseries, and daycare centers charge fees. However, three percent of the capacity of nurseries and daycare centers operated by private legal entities under the supervision of MoFSS is allocated to ensure that all children in the early childhood period can benefit equally from nursery services, ensuring equality of opportunity regardless of social or economic background. These spaces are made available for children to benefit free of charge.

Children of martyrs and veterans, children under protection and care in institutions affiliated with the Ministry, children staying with their mothers who are convicted or detained in prisons, and families in economic difficulty are prioritized to receive free care services, regardless of their economic status. Eligible children include those whose parents have passed away, children living with a single parent, children with a disabled parent, and children of women in or who have left women’s shelters.

The functioning of nurseries, daycare centers, and children’s clubs operated by private legal entities under the supervision of MoFSS is regulated by the “Regulation on the Principles of Establishment and Operation of Private Nurseries, Day Care Centers, and Private Children’s Clubs.” The Provincial Directorates of MoFSS carry out the opening, closing, and inspection procedures for these institutions.

Pre-primary education and care services are mainly provided in public and private pre-primary education institutions (kindergartens, nursery classes, practice classes) affiliated with MoNE, as well as in private nurseries and daycare centers affiliated with MoFSS. In addition, pre-primary education and care services are also offered in municipal childcare centers, institutions under the Civil Servants Law, 4–6-year-old courses under the Presidency of Religious Affairs, and institutions under the Labor Law. 

Institutions Providing Pre-Primary Education Services in Türkiye