Czech nurseries and kindergartens: scarce under threes, a free final year

There are two kinds of childcare in Czechia, and parents who confuse them lose a year. One is the kindergarten, a school-like institution for children from about three, run mostly by municipalities and covered by the School Act. The other is the care of children under three, which is a patchwork. A newcomer who plans on the second as if it were the first discovers the gap on the day the parental leave ends.

This explainer lays out both parts, the admission calendar, the rules on fees and vaccination and what to do about the under-threes. For the bigger picture on the school system that kindergarten leads into, see how Czech public schools work.

Kindergarten: the public system

A kindergarten (mateřská škola, MŠ) takes children typically from age three until they enter primary school. Most are run by municipalities or city districts, with some run by the region, the church or private founders. Public kindergartens are part of the school system, with a framework curriculum from the Ministry of Education.

The legal position on places has been changing, and it is worth checking the current wording with the Ministry of Education. In broad terms, the School Act gives children of a certain age whose home is in the school's catchment area a right to a place in a public kindergarten, with the age band widened over the years toward the youngest. Where the law gives an entitlement, the municipality has to ensure capacity. In practice, a family in a popular district may still find the nearest kindergarten full and be offered one further away. Ask your municipality which kindergartens serve your address.

The last year before primary school is compulsory. It starts in the September after the child turns five, and it is free of fees in public kindergartens. The obligation also covers foreign children who stay in Czechia for more than 90 days (School Act No. 561/2004 Coll.; as of 2026; check the Ministry of Education). A child who is registered for the compulsory year must attend, and a family that is about to leave the country should tell the school.

Admission

For public kindergartens, the headteacher sets admission criteria within the law, and parents apply in a fixed window. By law the enrolment (zápis) takes place in May, on dates the kindergarten announces (as of 2026; check the official source). You bring the child's identity document, your own, and a confirmation from the paediatrician that the child has had the vaccinations required by law. Some municipalities now run online pre-registration, and many publish the criteria used to rank applicants. Common criteria include the age of the child, the home address in the catchment, and the family situation.

The vaccination requirement has an exception. A child in the compulsory final year does not need the vaccinations to be admitted, though other rules on health may still apply. For other children, kindergartens are required to check. If your child's vaccination record comes from abroad, bring it, and ask the paediatrician to translate it into the Czech schedule. Our overview of how to register with a Czech GP is a useful first step for paediatric care.

The decision on admission is a written decision of the headteacher. If your child is refused, you can appeal to the regional authority within the deadline in the decision. Applying to more than one kindergarten is common and sensible.

What it costs

Fees are set by the kindergarten within a framework in the law, and the amounts reflect the running costs. A kindergarten may charge tuition (školné) for children outside the compulsory year, and the amount is published in the school rules. It is capped by law in relation to non-investment costs per child, which means it is usually modest compared with private options. Meals are paid separately, and some schools charge for extras such as trips or classes.

The compulsory final year has no tuition fee in a public kindergarten. Private kindergartens set their own prices and may charge for that year too, so a family choosing a private one should check what is covered.

Parents who pay kindergarten fees may be able to claim a tax credit for them, up to a limit set by law, if they meet the conditions (as of 2026; check the Financial Administration). Ask your employer's payroll department or a tax adviser how to claim it.

Under three: the patchwork

Parental allowance can be drawn until a child is three, and the formal nursery sector has been built around that. Public nurseries (jesle) exist but are few. Alongside them, other options fill the gap.

Children's groups (dětská skupina) are a regulated form of childcare for children from about one year to compulsory school age, set up by employers, municipalities or private operators under a dedicated act. They must meet defined standards for staff and premises, and they are on a state register.

Micro-nurseries (mikrojesle) are small, family-sized settings that operate under different rules from children's groups. Quality varies, so check whether the provider is registered, how many children each adult looks after and who inspects.

Private nurseries and kindergartens charge market fees. A private provider can be a good fit for a child who cannot get a public place, but fees can be high and the staff and approach differ.

Childminders and nannies offer flexible care at home. Some are registered as a trade; others work informally, which has tax and insurance implications.

Family. Many parents lean on relatives. Newcomers without family nearby face a real gap and tend to rely on paid options.

Parental allowance (rodičovský příspěvek) is a state benefit that parents can draw while caring for a young child. For children born from 1 January 2024 it can be drawn until the child turns three (as of 2026; check the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs). Many parents plan the return to work around that date and the kindergarten start. For the benefits side, see Czech maternity and parental benefits explained.

Foreign families

Foreign children who are legally resident have access to kindergartens on the same terms as Czech children (as of 2026; check the Ministry of Education). The compulsory final year applies to them too if they stay for more than 90 days. Language is the practical issue. Young children are often placed in a kindergarten partly for the Czech they pick up there. Ask the headteacher how they support children who speak no Czech, and what the daily routine looks like.

Kindergartens often ask for a medical certificate on health and give guidance on clothing, spare clothes and an afternoon nap. The school day is usually long, and opening hours are set by the school. Ask what time children must arrive and what time they must be collected, so that you can fit it with your work.

Frequently asked questions

When do I apply for a public kindergarten?

In May, in a window that each kindergarten announces. Check the school's website.

Is kindergarten free?

The final year before school is free of tuition in public kindergartens. For other years, a capped fee applies, and meals are paid separately.

Do children need vaccinations?

For admission to kindergarten, yes, with an exception for the compulsory final year.

What if I cannot get a nursery place for a toddler?

Look at children's groups, private nurseries, childminders and employer schemes, and apply early.

Contact your municipality now to find out which kindergartens serve your address, and diary the May window for the year your child turns three.

This is a general explainer, not legal or tax advice.