PRIVATE KINDERGARTENS SUFFOCATING - RESEARCH RECORDS THE FLIGHT OF CHILDREN TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TEACHER LOSSESS AND SUSTAINABILITY DIFFICULTIES - Filenews 24/10 by Evangelia Sizopoulou
Serious shortages in teaching staff, the flight of children aged four and over to attend public schools, forced decisions even to close classes and unfair competition between public and private education, is reflected in research on private preschool education.
The survey was conducted by the Cyprus Association of Private Preschool Education (SIPEK), which, in the context of presenting its findings, pointed out that the above are the result of policies implemented by the Ministry of Education, and which are a serious blow to private kindergartens, nurseries and child care centers.
The biggest challenges, according to the president of SIPEK, Theodosia Masoura, are the extension of the lower age limit for attendance and the expansion of the public all-day school.
One of the most interesting data that emerged from the survey in which 106 private nurseries participated is the oxymoron that while there is a very great need and demand for infant care, it is the departments that have a large reduction. This is because these departments are not economically viable.
The requirements for their operation are particularly high as up to six infants can be placed in each class, so the needs for staff are different. In cases where a private school operates a nursery, a kindergarten and a kindergarten, the viability of the nursery school is based on the income received from the older age groups.
However, in these classes there is a great tendency for children to flee to public schools due to the extension of the attendance limit downwards, with the result that the nursery departments are entering the vice.
The SIPEK survey, which was presented by the senior official of OEB, Polyvios Polyviou, also shows the fluctuation in the amount of tuition fees in private kindergartens, which is influenced not only by the services they offer to parents and the age of the children but also by the province in which they operate. And in this case, Limassol holds the reins in terms of the amount of tuition fees as both rents and the purchase of land there are at very high cost levels.
The reform that has affected the staff that is leaving
Regarding the decision to extend free compulsory education downwards, 91.53% of private kindergartens answered that it has affected them negatively, creating a host of issues for them.
These are:
1. The flight of children from the private sector to the public sector.
2. Kindergartens lost a significant number of children. In order to be able to accept children from four years old and above, they need to approve a department at the Ministry of Education, but it is practically impossible due to urban planning requirements, lack of square meters, etc.
3. Kindergartens have large losses of children between the ages of four and over and have closed or merged classes, while some have completely abolished the Pre-Primary class.
4. The departure of older children and the retention of only younger children has made the nurseries unviable.
5. The installation of prefabricated classrooms in public schools to increase the ability of more children to attend and the expansion of the all-day school (with additional staff) has created greater needs for staff.
In addition, SIPEK has raised another serious issue, which arises from the untimely and correct, as it notes, planning of the Ministry of Education. This is the information of the teaching staff of private kindergartens about their recruitment in the public sector (usually in all-day schools), several weeks after the start of the school year and they are asked to start work within a few days. Therefore, several of his teachers accept the position and leave kindergarten.
As mentioned by the representatives of SIPEK, this creates chain problems in the operation of their schools, as many times classes with several children are left without a teacher and finding new staff is a difficult task. In addition, the connection of children with their teacher is an issue that arises from this situation and that must be addressed.
Subsidy plans are positive – The main problems
The policy of subsidizing tuition fees and meals has a positive impact on families and schools, with SIPEK suggesting the expansion of state plans to cover the age group of children 4-6 years old.
The survey data shows that the number of children falling under the subsidy plans increased, as in the school year 2025 – 2026 it amounted to 2,330, compared to 2024 – 2025 when it was 2,141.
Regarding some of the suggestions submitted by the private kindergartens that participated in the survey, regarding the subsidy plans are recorded below:
– 87.86% enlargement by the age of six
– 64.29% additional grant based on quality criteria
– 55.36% revision of income criteria
– 53.57% simplification and digitization of procedures and requirements
Regarding the main problems faced by private nurseries, the following are mentioned:
– Lack of staff (93.55%)
– Unfair competition from public kindergartens (70.97%)
– High operating costs (67.74%)
– Anachronistic legislative framework of operation (62.90%)
– Excessive bureaucracy (59.68%)
– Lack of coordination of competent authorities (54.84%)
Regarding the support they would like from the State, they answered, in addition to the financial one, their equal treatment with the public ones as well as their inclusion in the development actions of the Ministry of Education (educations, trainings, updates).
