🧸

Mateřská škola

kindergarten

What does “Mateřská škola” mean in Czechia?

Mateřská škola (MŠ) — Czech kindergarten.

Mandatory last year

The last year before základní školou (elementary school, from age 5) is povinné předškolní vzdělávání (mandatory preschool education). It also applies to Ukrainian children with dočasnou ochranou (temporary protection) or ZDP (long-term residence permit) (§ 1 Lex Ukrajina). For the 2026/2027 school year, this includes children born between 01.09.2020 and 31.08.2021.

Money

povinné předškolní vzdělávání is free
for other years, the director can reduce or fully waive the fee — including for humanitarian reasons and considering the family's situation

Enrollment

Enrollment dates differ by region — find out at the specific kindergarten or on your city's website. For a school attendance deferral, apply in writing to the director from April 1 to April 30.

Important. The right to ask the director to reduce or waive the fee for humanitarian reasons and considering the family's situation is a direct legal basis specifically for Ukrainian families. Almost no one knows about it and they pay the full amount.