A preschool or an ante-preschool can be a great business that provides a sustainable incomewhile making a meaningful impact on the community.
While the idea is exciting, we understand that navigating the legal processes of the Romanian education system can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, at illumine, we’ve done the research for you and created this easy-to-follow guide to help you through every step of the process.
Understanding Preschool and Ante-Preschool in Romania
1. Ante-preschool education and care
This category is for the littlest learners—children aged 3 months to 3 years. Ante-preschool care is typically provided in crèches, daycare centers, and schools in Romania. For this guide, we’ll focus on crèches.
Crèches
Crèches are designed to nurture and educate children aged 3 months to 3 years. They focus on creating a safe, supportive environment where children can grow and develop holistically.
Children are grouped as follows:
- Junior Group: 3 months to 1 year
- Middle Group: 1 to 2 years
- Senior Group: 2 to 3 years
2. Preschool education and care
This category is for children aged 3 to 6 years and is delivered in kindergartens.
Kindergartens
Kindergartens in Bucharest and Romania provide early education and care for children aged 3 to 6 years, preparing them for the next stage of their learning journey.
Children are grouped as follows:
- Junior Group: 3 to 4 years
- Middle Group: 4 to 5 years
- Senior Group: 5 to 6 years
If these terms feel overwhelming, here’s a simple way to remember:
Crèches are for children aged 3 months to 3 years.
Kindergartens are for children aged 3 to 6 years.
The good news? The process of setting up and running both crèches and kindergartens is quite similar, so once you understand the general process, you’re well on your way!
The Process of Setting Up a Private Kindergarten or Crèche in Romania
Starting a private kindergarten or crèche in Romania is a rewarding journey, but it does come with specific legal and administrative steps.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Key points to know before you begin
Initially, your kindergarten or crèche cannot be registered as an independent business right away. Instead, it will need to be managed through a local council, an association, a foundation, or a commercial society. After a few years of operation, it can become an independent entity.
Additionally, you’ll need to work closely with ARACIP (Agenția Română de Asigurare a Calității în Învățământul Preuniversitar), the Romanian Agency for Ensuring Quality of Pre-university Education. ARACIP is responsible for providing the necessary permits and authorizations to operate an early education center.
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Establish the legal and administrative framework
Determine your business structure
Decide whether your crèche or kindergarten will be managed through a local council, an association, a foundation, or a commercial society. This structure will serve as the legal framework for your center in its initial years.
Register the entity
Establish your kindergarten or crèche in compliance with Romanian law and ensure all registration documents are properly filed and approved.
Step 2: Obtain provisional authorization
Apply for a permit with ARACIP
Submit an application to ARACIP for provisional authorization to operate your crèche or kindergarten.
Submit required documents
Prepare and provide all necessary documentation, including:
- Facility details (e.g., location, size, and layout).
- Staff qualifications and certifications.
- Educational plans and curricula.
ARACIP evaluation
ARACIP inspectors will visit your facility to assess:
- The suitability of the location.
- Compliance with safety and hygiene standards.
- The quality of your educational framework.
Receive provisional authorization
Once approved, you’ll receive provisional authorization to begin operations.
Step 3: Ensure compliance and operational readiness
Hire Qualified Staff
Ensure your team meets the legal child-to-staff ratio requirements. Verify that all employees have the necessary certifications and training.
Obtain licenses
Secure licenses from local authorities, including:
- Health and safety licenses.
- Fire safety permits.
- Labor and employment approvals.
Meet facility requirements
Ensure your facility complies with all hygiene, safety, and infrastructure standards. Create a welcoming, child-friendly environment that supports learning and development.
Step 4: Apply for full accreditation
Apply for full accreditation
After the provisional period of 3 years, apply for full accreditation from ARACIP.
Undergo evaluation and inspection
ARACIP will conduct another thorough evaluation of your facility, staff, and educational programs.
Receive official accreditation
If all conditions are met, you’ll receive full accreditation, allowing you to operate as a long-term educational provider.
Periodic external evaluation
After obtaining accreditation, your center will be subject to an external evaluation every 5 years to ensure ongoing compliance with quality standards.
Specific Regulations to Keep in Mind
Student to staff ratios
Romanian regulations specify two key ratios to ensure children receive adequate care and attention:
- Maximum Number of Children per Group
This refers to the total number of children allowed in a single group or classroom.
- Maximum Number of Children per Core Practitioner
This is the number of children that one main teacher (core practitioner) can be responsible for at any given time.
How it works in practice
Curriculum requirements of Early Childhood Education and Care
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Romania takes a holistic approach, focusing on five key areas of child development:
These areas ensure that children receive a well-rounded education that supports their overall growth and prepares them for future learning.
Teacher and volunteer qualifications
Volunteer qualifications
Volunteers play a valuable role in early education, but they must meet specific requirements:
Written Volunteer Contract
A formal contract must be established between the volunteer and the daycare center. This contract should outline the volunteer’s responsibilities, the duration of their activity, and other relevant terms.
Volunteer Profile
The contract must include details about the volunteer’s skills, health status (confirmed by a medical certificate), and any other qualifications.
How illumine helps you stay compliant
At illumine, we understand that managing compliance can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve designed our software to simplify the process and help you create a safe and nurturing environment for children.
Here’s how we can help:
What Does ARACIP Check?
ARACIP’s evaluations focus on three main areas, each with specific criteria to ensure your center is providing the best possible environment for children, staff, and families.
1. Institutional capacity
This area looks at how well your center is organized and equipped to support learning and development.
- Institutional, Administrative, and Managerial Structures: Are your systems and processes clear and effective?
- Material Base and Resource Optimization: Is your facility well-maintained and used efficiently?
- Human Resources: Do you have qualified staff, and are you able to attract and retain talented educators?
2. Educational effectiveness
This area focuses on how well your center is delivering on its educational goals.
- Study Programs: Are your programs well-designed and aligned with national standards?
- Learning Outcomes: Are children achieving the expected developmental milestones?
- Financial Activity: Is your center managing its resources responsibly and sustainably?
3. Quality management
This area ensures that your center is committed to continuous improvement and transparency.
- Quality Assurance Strategies: Do you have clear plans and procedures to maintain high standards?
- Program Monitoring and Review: Are you regularly evaluating and updating your programs?
- Staff Evaluation: Are you supporting your teachers with regular feedback and professional development?
- Transparency and Reporting: Are you keeping accurate records and sharing important information with families and authorities?
Summary
If these rules and regulations seem overwhelming, don’t worry! They’re actually pretty straightforward. For your ease, here’s a short summary:
At first, your kindergarten or crèche cannot be registered as an independent business, and it will have to be managed through a local council, an association, a foundation, or a commercial society. You can apply for full accreditation after operating for 3 years.
You’ll work closely with ARACIP—the organization responsible for providing the necessary permits and authorization for your kindergarten or crèche.
ARACIP’s evaluations focus on three main areas—institutional capacity, educational effectiveness, and quality management.
illumine can help you stay compliant to all the necessary regulations, making your journey of running an early education center easier.
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