Private Pre-Primary schools function according to the 2019 Law and Amendments concerning Private and Tutorial Schools. No private school can function without the approval of the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth following the agreed consent of the Advisory Committee for Private Education.
Children attending private Pre-Primary schools
Children who have completed the age of 3 years old before the 1st September of the enrolment year are allowed to enroll in a private kindergarten licensed by the MOESY. Pupils of obligatory educational age have to attend a public, a community or an approved by the MOESY private Pre-Primary school. Decisions of the Council of Ministers and relevant law apply. More specifically:
School year 2024-2025: pupils who have completed the age of 4 6/12 before the 1st of September 2024.
School year 2025-2026:pupils who have completed the age of 4 5/12 before the 1st of September 2025.
School year 2026-2027: pupils who have completed the age of 4 4/12 before the 1st of September 2026.
School year 2027-2028: pupils who have completed the age of 4 4/12 before the 1st of September 2027.
School year 2028-2029: pupils who have completed the age 4 3/12 before the 1st of September 2028.
School year 2029-2030: pupils who have completed the age 4 2/12 before the 1st of September 2029.
School year 2030-2031: pupils who have completed the age 4 1/12 before the 1st of September 2030.
School year 2031-2032: pupils who have completed the age of 4 years old before the 1st of September 2031.
Types of private Pre-Primary schools
There are three types of private Pre-Primary schools
Schools of the same type: Private Pre-Primary schools of the same type are those which strictly follow the curriculum of public Pre-Primary schools.
Schools of a similar type: Private Pre-Primary schools of a similar type are those which apart from other activities/subjects, at least 2/3 of the activities/subjects offered in public Pre-Primary schools are taught in relation to time, curriculum and subject matter.
Schools of a different type: Private Pre-Primary schools of a different type are considered those which do not belong to the two above categories. These schools apply different curricula which are approved by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
Qualifications of the teaching staff
According to the existing law, both the head and the teaching staff of a private Pre-Primary school of the same or similar type with the public school, should possess the same qualifications required for both the head and teaching staff respectively of a public Pre-Primary school.
As for the qualifications of the teaching staff of a private different of a private different type Pre-Primary school, the unanimous decision of the Advisory Committee for Private Education is required, whilst the Director must have at least two-year previous experience in a public school or an approved by the MOESY private Pre-Primary school in Cyprus or abroad.
Internal Regulations for the Operation of a Private Pre-Primary
Every private school, regardless of type, must have approved by the MOESY operating internal regulations, similar in structure and content with the internal regulations of public schools.
Tuition fees
The fees paid for children of pre-primary age attending a private Pre-Primary school are not covered by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
The MOESY subsidizes the fees of Latin and Maronite pupils with Cypriot citizenship attending their “national” school "Terra Santa" in Lefkosia.
The fees (registration, tuition, books) of Turkish Cypriot pupils attending private schools in the non-occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus are fully subsidized by the state.
Private Pre-Primary Schools
Private Education Announcements - Circulars
Private Education Contact Information
Private Education Forms
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