In Ukraine, it is now officially possible to create kindergartens for children from the age of three months. This provision is stipulated by the new law ‘On Preschool Education’, which came into force on 1 January 2025, Espresso reports. This does not mean that every community is now obliged to open such groups — the decision remains at the local government level and depends on the needs of families and the resources of the region.
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The rule on enrolment of infants in kindergartens has been the subject of active discussion. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine explains that it is only an option, not an obligation. If parents are unable to leave their child at home for some reason (including the war or the need to return to work), they can choose a nursery, but only if they meet all safety, quality of care and licensing standards.
According to the new rules, a separate group for children under one year of age can be created in a state or municipal kindergarten if there are at least three children. The group may not have more than five children under the age of one per educator. For other age groups, there are also clear limits on the number of children in a group.
The law also provides for the possibility of creating new formats of IPE: mini-gardens, family kindergartens or centres of pedagogical partnership. This is especially relevant for villages, small towns or regions where kindergartens have been damaged due to hostilities.
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