Early childhood education

In Serbia, only half of children aged 3-5 attend kindergarten.

The first years of life are great learning opportunity for children. Participating in quality early childhood education strengthens this early learning and lays a strong foundation for later success.

Early childhood education will help children develop into a positive, confident and capable individuals, and form a strong foundation for later learning.

Through pre-school programs, children learn how to form friendships, play and explore, be courageous and try new things, think and solve problems and how to relate well to their peers.

UNICEF, together with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, public institutions and academic community, works to raise awareness on the importance of preschool education, build a strong system and to provide equal access for all children, focusing especially on the inclusion of children from vulnerable groups.

Only 9% of the poorest children and 6% of children from Roma settlements aged 3-5 attend kindergarten, compared to 82% of children from the richest households.

We work to improve overall quality of preschool education, including the curriculum framework, knowledge and professional skills of preschool teachers, parents and other stakeholders, the data collection and management system and quality standards of the preschool institutions for the benefit of children and families.