Materská škola (kindergarten) is an educational institution for children from about 3 to 6 years old. It is similar to a Ukrainian 'detskiy sad' (in everyday speech, Slovaks say 'škôlka').
You register a child by submitting an application (žiadosť) directly to the kindergarten. The registration (zápis) for the new school year usually happens in spring. So, you should look for a place in advance. The number of places can be limited, and older children or those living nearby often get priority.
What you should know
- The last year before school is usually mandatory (povinné predprimárne vzdelávanie) for children who have reached 5 years of age.
- There is usually a fee (školné) for kindergarten, but it is typically not charged for the mandatory last year.
- Children with temporary protection have the right to attend kindergarten on an equal basis with local children.
The exact conditions and dates vary from town to town, so check with the specific kindergarten.
