More and more free nurseries in Poland. Revolution in the care of the youngest

Due to the benefit “actively in the nursery” and thanks to the support of free local governments in Poland there is 75 percent. places in nurseries – informed on Saturday in the Sejm during a conference on the day of the Little Child Guardian's Day, the director of the Family Policy Department at MRPiPS Tomasz Pacta.

On Saturday in the Sejm a conference was held on the occasion of the Little Child Guardian's Day organized by the Sejm Deputy Marshal Monika Wielichowska and Deputy Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy Aleksandra Gajewska.

“Your work is not only care. It is upbringing, it is shaping the first experiences, it is to convey values, but above all supporting the child in his development at this most important moment of his life, which affects how later this child will function,” she said to the gathered Gajewska in Hall.

The director of the Family Policy Department at MRPiPS Tomasz Pacta announced that over the past several months there have been over a thousand new children's care institutions up to three years. The number of children in nurseries, in turn, increased to 250 thousand. As he said, the resort's goal is that within two years the number of available places will increase to 320 thousand.

“Last week, for the first time, the number of white spots, i.e. municipalities, where there is no nursery care, fell below 900,” he said. He added that at the end of 2023 there were 1105 such municipalities. He also emphasized that statistically in areas from the so -called Fewer children are born with a low level of complaint.

According to the data at March, after the introduction of the benefit “actively in the nursery” and the support of parents from local governments – “75 percent of all places (in nurseries – PAP) in Poland is for PLN 0”. In 5 percent Parents had to pay for a place below PLN 100. Pantia also informed that the “active parent” benefit has so far benefited from over 90 percent. kids.

Pantia also announced that from Monday there will be three weeks of preparation of prepared changes in the Act on the care of children under the age of 3.

In addition – as he said – on Monday a competition will be announced in which the missing local leaders in voivodships are to be selected, as part of the “Academy of Support” program. Its purpose is to prepare for the introduction of children under 3 years of age adopted in 2024, which are to come into force from January 2026. Plans are training and consulting for nurseries and municipalities employees, supervision, organization of workshops for parents, as well as the preparation of guidelines for municipalities in the field of nursery control.

Pantia also announced that the “Active Playgrounds” program will continue in 2026.

During the discussion panel, teacher Agnieszka Sierosławska, training specialist, emphasized that the introduction of standards in nurseries would not be a challenge in nursery care, but a chance to improve standards. “Thanks to this, we have a ready compendium of knowledge of the nursery director,” she noted. “This is finally a moment to standardize, harmonize care, educational and educational activities for children under 3 years old”-she added.

According to social Dr. in the field of pedagogy of Krystyna Heland-Kurzak, the greatest challenge in nursery care is currently the cooperation of carers with parents and building trust consisting in the parent's belief that the actions taken in nursery are beneficial to the child.

“Only in a nursery and only with children up to 3 years old – every experience is an educational experience,” she emphasized. She also added that in terms of training caregivers – only those oriented to one person are fully effective.

The Active Parent program started on October 1, 2024 and includes three benefits for parents of children from 12 to 35 months of age: “Actively at home”, “Active parents at work”, “Actively in a nursery”. The benefit “actively in the nursery” is addressed to parents of children who use a nursery, a children's club or a daily guardian. The support is up to PLN 1,500 per month per child or up to PLN 1,900 per month for a child with disabilities, if he has an appropriate disability certificate. The benefit does not cover the cost of food. (PAP)

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