From September 2025, kindergartens in Ukraine will operate under new rules — the updated Law ‘On Preschool Education’, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in 2024, will come into force. The document establishes new approaches to the organisation of the educational process, guarantees equal access to preschool education, expands the rights of parents and establishes new forms of education. The law also provides for changes in working conditions for educators and updates the system of management of institutions.
For the first time at the legislative level, preschool education is defined as a mandatory component of lifelong education. According to the law, all older preschool children (aged five and above) must have access to free education in state or municipal institutions. Flexible age limits are provided for children with special educational needs — up to eight years of age inclusive.
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The educational process is based on the principles of child-centredness, academic freedom and pedagogical partnership between parents and educators. The law guarantees the autonomy of institutions in personnel, organisational and financial policy, as well as the accessibility and secular nature of education. Particular attention is paid to creating an inclusive environment.
The language of instruction in state and municipal kindergartens is Ukrainian, but children from national minorities are allowed to study in their own language alongside the state language. The state also encourages the study of English and other languages of international communication.
The updated law introduces a clear periodisation of preschool age: from infants to older preschoolers. Kindergartens will form groups of various formats: age-based, mixed, short-term, inclusive, on-call (in the evenings and on holidays), as well as language-based.
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An important innovation is the expansion of forms of education. Preschool education can now be obtained not only in traditional kindergartens, but also in mini-kindergartens, family forms, mobile kindergartens (which can operate in rural or remote areas), special institutions, or even through registered private entrepreneurs. The main form remains full-time, but it can be combined with others.
The rules regarding group sizes have also been updated: in nursery groups — up to 5–10 children, in middle groups — up to 15, in senior groups — up to 20. In inclusive groups, up to three children with special educational needs are allowed. New working hours have been established for teachers depending on their position: from 18 to 35 hours per week, with a guaranteed annual leave of 56 days for teachers and 28 days for teaching assistants.
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New approaches to system management are also important: digitisation of processes, planning of the kindergarten network in accordance with the demographic situation, territorial accessibility, the possibility of creating mobile kindergartens and defining clear service areas. The law also defines the order of priority for enrolling children — in particular, children of military personnel, internally displaced persons, orphans, children with special needs, and relatives of those who already attend the institution.
The law lays the foundation for the development of new types of educational institutions: children’s centres, studios, child development centres, and educational partnership institutions. This allows for a wider choice for parents and better consideration of the individual needs of children.
Preparations for the launch of the updated system are underway in all regions: from April to September, new groups are being formed, staff are being updated, and programmes are being adapted to the requirements of the new standard. The updated approach aims not only to provide children with quality pre-school education, but also to prepare them for further school education, development in changing conditions, and active life in the community.
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