Pre-primary education

Pre-primary education is part of education system as a separate level. Pre-primary provision includes unitary centre-based child care and education which is mainly public. Pre-school institutions are set up by municipalities. Attendance is optional. Children can attend pre-school institutions from the age of 11 months until they enter compulsory basic education at the age of 6 (that is from 5 years and 8 months to 6 years and 8 months).

Parents pay 0 to 80 % of costs of preschool education, depending on the level of their income. From September 2008, parents with only one child enrolled in preschool education pay a fee; fees for subsequent children are fully subsidised by the State.