ECEC in Greece uses the split system instead of a unitary setting.  This means that it structures ECEC services according to the age of children.  Hence, the responsibility for ECEC governance, regulation and funding is divided in-between two authorities: a) the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs assumes responsibility for children aged 4 through 6 years and b) the Ministry of Interior, which caters for children up to 4 years old.

2020

Covid 19 measures in early childhood education and care

In early childhood education and care settings, organizational and safety measures include sanitary and hygienic standards, physical distancing, personal protective equipment and working in small groups.

The most important measures include the following:

• the mandatory use of masks in closed, common areas, along with the hand hygiene and regular ventilation of classrooms,
• extensive information of teachers and parents,
• the guidance of young children on how to protect themselves on using masks, washing hands etc.
• the free distribution of masks and antiseptics by local authorities to all teachers and pupils, as well as thorough cleaning of schools, according to the relevant instructions of EODY (National Organisation for Public Health),
• regular visits of schools by EODY, in order to conduct health checks,
• care for differentiated school breaks to limit the co-occurance of large student groups,
• respectively adjusted operation of school canteens,
• school celebrations will take place separately inside classrooms,
• outdoor sport activities will be allowed in small fixed groups.

2019

Implementation of the two-year compulsory pre-primary school

Ministerial Decision 127860/Δ1/13-08-2019 foresees the integration of the remaining municipalities in the two - year compulsory pre-primary school for the forthcoming school year 2020-2021.

The provisions for the expansion of the two-year compulsory pre-primary school for school year 2019-2020 are stipulated  in the Joint Ministerial Decision Φ15/27268/Δ1/29-2-2019  which implements Law 4521/2018.

School guide of public pre-primary and primary schools

The Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs has published a School Guide, targeted at parents and guardians of public pre-primary and primary school pupils.

The aim of the guide is to provide simple and useful information and hence, become an important tool in the hands of parents and guardians.  In particular, parents and guardians have the opportunity to acquaint themselves, through the Guide, with:

• The registration of their children at school
• The supporting documents for registration
• The start and end dates of lessons
• The communication with the school
• The services and the support structures of the Ministry of Education.

The Computer Technology Institute (CTI) Diophantus has the responsibility for the production and distribution of the School Guide.  To access the e-form of the Guide, please use the link below: https://www.minedu.gov.gr/publications/docs2018/25_02_19sch_odigos.pdf

Reduction of the number of preschoolers in pre-primary schools

The provisions of Law 4589/2019 shall be applied from school year 2019-2020.  The maximum number of preschoolers is reducedfrom 25 to 22 in Nipiagogeio classes.  The aim is to improve the pedagogical and teaching support of children.

2018

Two-year compulsory pre-school education (law 4521/2018)

Law 4521/2018 establishes the two-year compulsory Pre-primary School.  School year 2018-2019 foresees the compulsory attendance of all pre-schoolers.  In particular, it refers to:

• 184 municipalities of the country (Ministerial Decision 66981/Δ1/27-4-2018)
• Children, who have reached the minimum age of 4 years on 31 December 2018.

Over the span of 3 years, the two-year education will become compulsory in all municipalities of the country.  In addition, it shall be integrated in the framework of the 10-year compulsory schooling in Greece.  Therefore, compulsory education in Greece will last 11 years and extend from the ages of 4 to 15.