Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In Slovenia, the official entrance age to pre-primary education is three-years-old; pre-primary education is not compulsory. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary for both sexes was 93.11% in 2023.
Children are legally entitled to a place in a kindergarten from the age of 11 months until the start of compulsory schooling, though it is optional.
According to national data (SURS), 85.6% of all children were enrolled in kindergartens in 2025 for children 0-6 years of age.
Governance
Public kindergartens are founded by the municipality. The kindergarten system, which starts from 6 years old, is overseen by the Preschool and Basic Education Directorate within the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education participates in the drafting of the financial plan for pre-school education, which is adopted and implemented by the Ministry of Finance.
The central Ministry of Education and municipalities together provide funding for preschool institutions with additional support from parent payments and other sources.
Tuition-free status
Pre-primary is not guaranteed to be tuition-free under national frameworks.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Article 142 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia states that municipalities are financed from their own resources. In the case of an economically less developed municipality that cannot fully perform its functions, the State will provide it with additional financial resources. This financing mechanism is described in the Municipal Financing Act.
Equalization Financing is determined based on calculations of “adequate spending,” estimated with an equation that takes into account the population demographic, geographic location, and development criteria. If the share of municipal income is not enough to cover the amount determine necessary to cover the costs in the municipality, the central government will give the necessary funds as an equalization transfer.
2. Education resources to institutions
Based on the Organization and Financing of Education Act, Kindergartens prepare the programme financial structure and send it to the Municipality Council for approval. The municipality that established the kindergarten enters into a funding agreement with the kindergarten. The municipality is responsible for covering the outstanding programme costs, investments, equipment, and maintenance. Each month, the kindergarten sends a financing request to the municipality for the reimbursement of expenses.
Private kindergartens in Slovenia are financed in a combined way: from municipal budgets (co-financing) and from payments by parents. If they have a concession, meaning that the municipality recognizes that they are performing a public service. they are entitled to public funds for the implementation of the program, similar to public kindergartens. A special contract defines the scope of funds from the municipal budget. Kindergartens without a concession can obtain funds only if they meet the legal conditions, such as implementing at least a half-day program and having adequate staff. Otherwise they are financed on the market.
3. Education resources to students and families
The municipality subsidizes full programme fees for families who live there. The programme fees cover the cost of education, care and meals. The subsidies are determined based on the family’s income and wealth. Additionally, families who are already paying for one child in kindergarten are exempt from paying the tuition fees for the second. The third child and additional children afterwards are also exempt. The funds are paid for by the national budget. Parents pay between 0% to 77% of the full programme price. This applies to both public and private kindergartens with a concession. Only parents who are not obliged to pay income tax in the Republic of Slovenia pay the full fee for the programme in which their child is enrolled.
Additionally, children who are from socially vulnerable families have priority in admission to kindergartens.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The Child Benefit, managed by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities, provides financial support to parents or legal guardians of children up to 18 years living in Slovenia. Established in 2012 under the Public Finance Balance Act, the benefit helps with a child’s maintenance, upbringing, and education. Applications are submitted at the local Social Work Centre. Eligibility is based on family income and assets, measured against the average national wage from the previous year. The benefit amount varies by family member's income and is granted for up to 1 year, requiring renewal if conditions persist; it stops once eligibility ends.
The government also provides income-based meal subsidies to ensure that children have access to free or reduced-price meals.
This profile has been reviewed by Mag. Brigita Mark, Undersecretary, Ministry of Education and Dr. Jernej Širok, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation with the support of the UNESCO Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovenian National Commission to UNESCO.
