Preschool education

Preschool education is a level of primary education aimed at the comprehensive development of the personality of a child of early age (from two months to three years) and preschool age (from three to seven years), in accordance with their age and individual capabilities, abilities, and needs, the formation of moral norms in them, and the acquisition of social experience. Preschool education institutions create conditions for the full development of children and the strengthening of their health.

For reference:

The amount charged from parents (legal representatives) for the nutrition of children is usually 100 percent of the current monetary norms of expenses for nutrition per day per pupil, depending on the age of the children, the type, and mode of operation of the preschool institution (the norms are approved by the government).

To register a child in need of admission to an educational institution for preschool education and to obtain a referral to a state educational institution, it is necessary to contact the local executive and administrative body at the location of the state educational institution.

To register a child, it is necessary to provide the following documents:

• a passport or other document proving the identity of the child's legal representative;
• the child's birth certificate (if available – for children who are minor foreign citizens and stateless persons who have been granted refugee status or additional protection in the Republic of Belarus or who are applying for refugee status or additional protection in the Republic of Belarus).

To issue a referral, it is necessary to provide the following documents:

• a passport or other document proving the identity of the child's legal representative;
• the child's birth certificate (if available – for children who are minor foreign citizens and stateless persons who have been granted refugee status or additional protection in the Republic of Belarus or who are applying for refugee status or additional protection in the Republic of Belarus);
• a conclusion of the medical advisory commission – in case of sending a child to a state sanatorium nursery school, state sanatorium kindergarten, or a sanatorium group of a state educational institution;
• a conclusion of the state center for correctional and developmental education and rehabilitation – in case of sending a child to an integrated education and upbringing group of a state educational institution, a special group of a state educational institution, or a state special preschool institution.

Admission of an individual to a preschool education institution is carried out throughout the calendar year if there are vacant places available and based on:

• an application from the legal representative of the pupil;
• directions to a state educational institution for mastering the content of the preschool education program, the special education program at the preschool level, the special education program at the preschool level for persons with intellectual disabilities, issued by the local executive and administrative body at the location of the state preschool education institution;
• medical certificate of health;
• conclusion of the medical advisory board (for sanatorium nursery schools, sanatorium kindergartens, sanatorium groups);
• conclusion of the state center for correctional and developmental education and rehabilitation (for special groups, integrated education and upbringing groups).

In the Republic of Belarus, citizens who belong to a national minority have the right to study their native language. To exercise this right, upon the decision of local executive and administrative bodies, согласованному with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, and in accordance with the wishes of legal representatives, preschool education institutions or groups in which the language of the national minority is studied may be established.

The legal status of national minorities in the Republic of Belarus, including the opportunity for their representatives to choose the language of upbringing and education, is regulated by normative legal acts, including in the field of preschool education.