Access to a free private kindergarten in the absence of places in the parish territory comes into force tomorrow

According to a decree published today, from Friday families can have access to free kindergarten in the private sector if there are no vacancies in the social network in the area where they live or work.

A document published today in Diário da República indicates that the measures announced two days ago by the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS) come into force on Friday and aim to increase choice for families in the existing offer. child support for children up to three years of age.

Until now, access to free kindergartens in the private sector was dependent on the lack of vacancies in the social and solidarity network in the area of ​​residence or work, and this change, according to MTSSS, will “reduce travel between work, kindergarten and home, improving the quality of family life “

In addition, private kindergartens are also beginning to “benefit from additional government funding” when their opening hours exceed 11 hours per day or require a weekly extension to operate on Saturdays, under the same conditions that social and social sector kindergartens already enjoy solidarity. “.

The measures coming into force are aimed at “increasing the birth rate, encouraging families to have more children, ensuring a balance between work, personal and family life,” said a decree signed by the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security of Rosario. Palma Ramalho added that this is a “strategic issue for the future of Portugal.”

The initiative to provide free kindergarten to all children under three years of age was announced in 2022 by the government of António Costa and initially covered only the public, social and solidarity sectors.

In January 2023, the program was extended to private institutions.