The issue of normative group sizes in pre-school education institutions arises regularly. During martial law, attention to this issue increases due to security risks, internal displacement of families and the need to adapt kindergarten operating modes. The legislative framework defines basic age limits for group sizes, provides mechanisms for temporary deviations, and sets out separate rules for inclusive and mixed-age groups. Below is a detailed analysis of current approaches and changes affecting the work of preschool institutions in special circumstances.
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Capacity standards by age group
The Law on Preschool Education and accompanying regulations set the maximum number of children in groups depending on their age. The following limits are set for groups of the same age: low occupancy for children under one year of age, a gradual increase in the limit for early childhood, and the highest limit for children aged three years and older. These numerical limits are used as a guideline for forming groups and calculating the number of teaching staff required.
Mixed-age and special groups
The rules for mixed-age groups differ from those for single-age groups. Separate limits are set for mixed-age groups, depending on the age structure of the children in the group. There are separate regulations for the capacity of short-term and round-the-clock groups, special units and inclusive groups; for inclusive groups, the law imposes restrictions on the number of children with special educational needs, and the procedure for their enrolment is set out in detail in the relevant acts.
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Minimum thresholds and possibility of temporary increase
In addition to the maximum limits, the standards also specify the minimum number of children in a group in state and municipal institutions, which influences decisions on opening or maintaining a group. The law and accompanying explanations allow for temporary overcrowding under certain conditions, but set an upper limit for such deviations and require staffing levels to be aligned with actual workloads. These mechanisms are designed to combine access to pre-school education with guarantees of safety and quality of care.
Special features under martial law
Under martial law, regulations and guidelines allow for adapting approaches to the capacity and organisation of kindergartens. For inclusive groups, some of the previously formulated restrictions may be temporarily suspended. Local authorities and institution management receive recommendations on strengthening staffing, adjusting working hours, reducing the number of children in vulnerable age groups, and ensuring algorithms for behaviour during air raid alerts and stays in shelters. These decisions should combine the child’s right to education with the priority of their safety.
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Practical implications for preschool administrators and parents
The administration of the institution forms groups based on current standards, the size of the premises, the ratio of children to teachers, and local needs. During periods of instability, priority is given to safety and accessibility: adjusting working hours, creating short-stay or mixed-format groups, maintaining electronic queues, coordinating with local authorities on shelters and resource provision. Parents should pay attention to the documentation of a place in the group. Information from the management of the preschool educational institution about the procedure for action in emergency situations, and the availability of teaching and support staff as required by staffing standards.
Legal sources and appeal procedure
Legal norms regarding the formation of groups are set out in the law and subordinate legislation. If there are questions about compliance with standards in a particular institution, there are professional and administrative procedures for clarifying the situation: appeals to the founder of the institution, the local education authority or the relevant supervisory bodies. Explanations regarding temporary changes during martial law are available in the methodological recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Science and the relevant resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers.
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