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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Early childhood education and care
Türkiye

Türkiye

4.Early childhood education and care

Last update: 14 May 2025

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

Institution Age Key Features
Kindergarten 36-68 months It is a type of official institution with an independent building affiliated to the Ministry of National Education.
Nursery class 45-68 months These are classes opened in official primary; lower secondary and high schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education.
Practice class 36-68 months It is the application unit where children are trained in the field/program of child development and education in upper secondary education institutions
Private kindergarten 36-68 months It is a type of private institution with an independent building affiliated to the Ministry of National Education
Private nursery class 45-68 months These are classes opened in private primary, loer secondary and high schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education.
Special education kindergarten 36-66 months It is a type of official institution with an independent building affiliated to the Ministry of National Education.
Special education nursery class 36-66 months Special education schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education are independent kindergartens and primary school classes.
Private special education kindergarten 0-36 months Early childhood education services for children with special education needs are provided in special education schools, pre-primary education institutions, educational institutions with nursery classes and in homes in line with the needs of the child and family.
Game room 37-72 months Courses for children whose parents are enrolled in any of the non-formal education course programs.
Private kindergarten 0-24 months A type of organization that provides care-oriented services affiliated to MoFSS.
Private day care center 25-66 months A type of organization that provides care and education-oriented services affiliated to MoFSS.
Institutions opened according to the Civil Servants Law 0-68 months Childcare centers opened for civil servants in places where they are needed.
Nurseries opened in enterprises according to the Labor Law 0-68 months According to the Labor Law, daycare centers are opened in enterprises and provide care-oriented services.
4–6-year-old courses organized under the Presidency of Religious Affairs 48-72 months The Presidency of Religious Affairs covers courses for Qur'anic education and training and student dormitories and hostels.