Preschool education takes place in kindergartens designed for children, as a rule, from 3 to 6 years. Education is compulsory for children in the pre-school year (children who reach at least 5 years of age on 31 August prior to the school year).
Early childhood education
Kindergartens provide pre-school education to children, as a rule, from three to six years of age, but at the earliest from two years of age. Children under the age of three are not legally entitled to be admitted.
Pre-school year
In the pre-school year, a child in public kindergartens is provided with education free of charge (with the exception of meals). Enrolment in pre-school education for the following school year shall take place between 15 March and 15 April. The decision on the admission of a child to pre-school education shall be taken exclusively by the headmaster of the nursery school. Children are admitted to the kindergarten on the basis of a written request from the legal representative, which is submitted to the headmaster of the school. The child is educated in a public kindergarten established in the school district in which the child has his or her place of permanent residence, in the case of a foreign national, his or her place of residence (the so-called catchment kindergarten). However, the legal representative may choose another kindergarten for the child. If a child is admitted to a kindergarten other than a catchment nursery school, the headmaster of that school shall notify the headmaster of the catchment nursery school without undue delay. Compulsory pre-school education can also be fulfilled in the preparatory class of a primary school or in the preparatory stage of a special primary school. The decision on the inclusion of the child is made by the school director at the request of the legal representative and on the basis of a written recommendation from the school counselling facility. Compulsory pre-school education does not apply to children with deep mental disabilities. The legal representative of a child for whom pre-school education is compulsory may, in justified cases, opt for individual education. This fact shall be notified in writing to the headmaster of the kindergarten.
Other years (from two years to the pre-school year)
In other years, as a rule, the child's legal representatives pay a fee for education and meals. In the case of public kindergartens, the amount of the fee is limited by a decree, in some cases it can be reduced or waived. For private and church kindergartens, the amount of tuition is not limited. Enrolment in pre-school education from the following school year shall take place between 15 March and 15 April. The decision on the admission of a child to pre-school education shall be taken exclusively by the headmaster of the nursery school. Children are admitted to kindergarten on the basis of a written request from the legal representative, which is submitted to the director together with a certificate of proper vaccination from the general doctor for children and adolescents. The Director shall give priority to children over 3 years of age. For other children, it may set certain criteria, which shall not be contrary to generally binding regulations, shall not be discriminatory and shall not restrict the rights of the child. Choosing a kindergarten is a matter for the legal representative. Admission during the school year is possible if the kindergarten has a vacancy. No separate minutes shall be published for vacant posts during the year.