Nursery school in Czechia: enrolment, the compulsory pre-school year and what foreign families need
When nursery enrolment takes place, from what age attendance is compulsory, what it costs, which documents you need and what children of foreigners are entitled to. Based on the current Education Act.
Moving to Czechia with young children, or already living here? Nursery school (mateřská škola) helps a child learn Czech and make friends. Moreover, the year before primary school is compulsory by law. Here is an overview of deadlines, conditions and documents under the current Education Act.
From what age, and when attendance is compulsory
Pre-school education is intended for children from 2 to usually 6 years of age. A child under 3, however, has no legal entitlement to a nursery place. From the start of the school year following the child's fifth birthday until starting primary school, pre-school education is compulsory (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34(1)).
When enrolment takes place, and who has priority
Enrolment for the following school year runs from 15 March to 15 April. The head teacher sets the exact date and place and announces them in the usual way, for example on the school's or the municipality's website (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34(2)). Municipal nurseries give priority to children who will be at least 3 at the start of the school year and whose permanent residence, or for foreigners place of residence, is in the school's catchment area (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34(3)). A child can also be admitted during the school year if there is a free place (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34(7)).
In the year in which compulsory pre-school education begins for your child, you must enrol them. The child then attends the catchment nursery for your place of residence unless you choose another school or another form of education (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34a(2)).
Children of foreigners
Children from other EU countries have access to nursery school on the same terms as Czechs. Children from non-EU countries have access if they hold a right of residence for more than 90 days, as do children with temporary protection, refugees and applicants for international protection (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 20(2), point (d)). You prove lawful residence to the head teacher by the start of attendance at the latest (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 20(3)). The compulsory pre-school year also applies to foreigners permitted to stay for more than 90 days (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34a(1)).
Vaccinations
A nursery may only admit a child who has had the prescribed routine vaccinations, is immune to the infection or cannot be vaccinated because of a contraindication. The certificate is issued by the paediatrician. The law makes an exception for facilities where attendance is compulsory (Act No. 258/2000 Coll., Section 50). If your child is starting the compulsory year, ask the head teacher which document they will require.
What it costs and how long the child attends
- In a state, regional or municipal nursery, education is free from the school year after the fifth birthday (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 123(2)). For younger children the school charges a fee.
- Compulsory pre-school education lasts 4 uninterrupted hours a day on working days. The head teacher sets the start between 7 and 9 a.m. (Decree No. 14/2005 Coll., Section 1c).
- There is no attendance duty during school holidays (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34a(3)).
- You must explain your child's absence within 3 days of the head teacher's request (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34a(4)).
The compulsory year can also be completed in other ways: individually at home, in a preparatory class of a primary school or at a foreign school authorised by the ministry to provide compulsory schooling. For a preparatory class or a foreign school, you must notify the head of the catchment nursery at least 3 months before the school year begins (Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34a(5) and Act No. 561/2004 Coll., Section 34a(6)).
What to prepare for enrolment
- an application form (the school provides it, often on its website),
- your child's birth certificate,
- the paediatrician's vaccination certificate,
- proof of your child's residence (for foreigners),
- your own ID document.