The situation with preschool education in Ukraine has changed: today, the key factor for parents is not finding a spot, but the safety of the institution. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, only 55% of children aged 0 to 6 attend kindergarten. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the sociological group "Rating".

Safety as the top priority

The problem of a shortage of spots, which for a long time was considered one of the most acute, is gradually becoming a thing of the past. The study showed that 74% of parents were able to enroll their child in a preschool institution in less than a month. Moreover, 82% of those who used the electronic queue rated this service as effective.

However, against the backdrop of declining birth rates and the current geopolitical situation, questions of child protection are coming to the fore. Among parents of children aged 3 to 6, 33% named safety as the main reason why they do not send their child to kindergarten. Another 13% pointed to the lack of a shelter in a specific facility.

When choosing an institution, more than half of the respondents (52%) pay attention specifically to the presence of a shelter. At the same time, for 76% of parents, the decisive factor remains the geographical proximity of the kindergarten to home or the workplace.

Development instead of childcare

Ukrainians are increasingly changing their attitude towards preschool education, perceiving kindergarten not just as a place for care, but as a space for development. Over the last two years, the share of parents who call early development one of the main reasons for attending kindergarten has grown from 39% to 49%.

The understanding of the importance of this process has also increased significantly: the number of parents who are well aware of the value of early development has almost tripled — from 20% to 57%.

The main motives for which parents send children to preschool institutions are as follows:

  • Communication with peers — 77%.
  • Personal development — 49%.
  • Preparation for school — 29%.

The effectiveness of such efforts is confirmed in practice: 76% of parents noted positive changes in children's development after starting to attend kindergarten. Most often, this refers to the formation of communication skills, independence, and the ability to interact with others.

Attendance statistics

Data analysis showed uneven attendance depending on the age of the children. The highest level of coverage was recorded among the older group (5–6 years) — 73%. Among children aged 3–4 years, 69% of toddlers attend kindergarten. At the same time, among children under three years old, attendance remains low — only 15%.

Digitalization and accessibility

To simplify the registration process, the Preschool Education Portal was updated in Kyiv. The service received a new design, improved navigation, and modern authentication methods, while all previously submitted applications and places in the electronic queue were preserved. Protection of users' personal data has been strengthened.

In the capital, enrollment of children in municipal kindergartens for the 2026–2027 academic year continues. Parents can register a child online, and at the moment, almost 11,000 free spots are available in Kyiv kindergartens.