The organisation of the academic year in higher education – 2025/2026

There is no publicly regulated ECEC provision that is delivered in a providers’ home.

Admission requirements and choice of ECEC setting

Ante-preschool education and care services (children aged under 3 years)

In accordance with the provisions of School Education Law 198/2023, as subsequently complemented and amended, ante-preschool education and care is for children aged between 3 months and 3 years. 

Place guarantee to ECEC

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), although part of the education system in legislative terms, was not compulsory until recently. According to the provisions of Law 56/2019, since September 2020, the final year of ECEC has been compulsory. From September 2023, the starting age of compulsory education will be lowered to 4 years; from September 2030, it will be lowered further to 3 years.  

In accordance with School Education Law 198/2023, as subsequently complemented and amended, it is possible to initiate and organise educational alternatives in the school education system, including in ECEC, with the approval of the Ministry of Education and based on regulations approved by an order of the education minister.

Alternative settings have organisational and functional autonomy in accordance with the specificity of the alternative method.

Steering documents

By minister's order (3800/2015) were approved the Procedures for registering of education providers organizing and carrying out, in Romania, educational activities specific to other educational systems from other countries in the Special Register of education providers who organize and perform, in Romania, educational activities specific to educational system in other countries and the recognition of studies of students enrolled in these schools. The procedures are based on a Analysis Form and Survey of documentation submitted to ARACIP by interested organisations.