One of the main principles in the Bulgarian education system is innovation and effectiveness in pedagogical practices and in organisation of the educational process on the basis of scientific grounds and achieving results using innovations. The state, municipal and private kindergartens may follow innovative and specific educational programmes in compliance with the state educational standard for preschool education. Through these programmes, additional competencies are acquired, including outside the compulsory educational areas. Additional competencies are specified in the programme system by educational area and age group. In kindergartens and schools that implement innovative and specific educational programmes, the maximum total weekly number of pedagogical situations for each age group may be increased by up to two.

The women’s prison in Sliven has a nursery that provides imprisoned women with the opportunity to parent and care for their children under conditions similar to the conditions for those living in freedom. The children can stay with their mothers in the nursery at the prison until they reach the age of 1 year.