Early childhood and preschool education system in Croatia

Children of migrants in Croatia have the right to education and care, including access to educational institutions such as kindergartens.

Early childhood and preschool education represents the initial level of the Croatian education system. With the exception of the preschool programme—which is mandatory for children in the year before starting primary school—participation is not compulsory for all preschool-aged children.
Even though it is not obligatory, enrolling a child in one of the preschool programmes offers many benefits: faster acquisition of the Croatian language, improved socialisation and peer interaction, and easier adjustment to the new local environment.

 

Early childhood and preschool education in Croatia is divided into two stages:

(1) from six months to the age of three (nursery),
(2) from the age of three until the start of primary school (kindergarten).

Children can be enrolled in half-day, full-day, or shorter programmes. Some kindergartens also offer specialised pedagogical approaches such as Montessori, Reggio, or Waldorf, as well as sports and drama groups, among others.

 

Early childhood and preschool education encompasses educational, care, health, nutrition, and social welfare programmes.

Kindergartens operate under the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Education, but are established by local municipalities or private providers. Consequently, enrolment procedures, admission criteria, and programme fees may vary between kindergartens.

Kindergarten attendance is not compulsory, except for children in the year before starting school.

Kindergartens also implement the preschool programme, which is mandatory for all children in the year before entering primary school (if they are not already attending kindergarten). The programme typically includes 250 to 550 hours per year and runs from October to June. 

 

In exceptional cases, the programme may be organised with fewer hours.
The preschool programme is free of charge for all parents whose children are enrolled in the year prior to starting primary education.

 

Sources:

https://mzo.gov.hr/istaknute-teme/odgoj-i-obrazovanje/rani-i-predskolski-odgoj-i-obrazovanje/128

https://radnickaprava.org/tekstovi/intervjui/ivana-dobrotic-vrtici-za-sve

https://www.bilten.org/?p=7959