In Latvia, all children from the age of 18 months until the start of primary education are legally entitled to have a place in a pre-school institution. Local governments (municipalities) are responsible for ensuring places for children in pre-school education institutions.
According to the Education Law:
If a local government does not ensure a place in a pre-school education programme implemented by the local government educational institution and the child is acquiring the pre-school education programme in a private educational institution, the local government shall cover the costs for such private service provider.
5 and 6 years old children are obliged to attend pre-school education programme.
The legislation does not define number of hours guaranteed in pre-school education. According to the Regulations on National Guidelines for Pre-primary Education and Templates of Pre-primary Education Programmes (Guidelines), the main form of teaching and learning in a pre-school education programme is learning through a play or a play lesson. This form of learning happens throughout the entire day, in indoors and outdoors.
Pre-school education institutions in Latvia usually are open from 7am until 6pm.
Public budget covers fee for education and care activities of pre-school education in public institutions. It means that no payment is expected for regular educational and care activities. However, a fee may still be payable for meals taken during the day, and/or extra activities (e.g. English tuition, etc.). Private educational institutions may determine their fees freely.
If a local government cannot provide sufficient number of places in public institutions and the child is attending the education programme in a private education institution or receives the service of a childcare service provider - a certified babysitter, then according to the Education Law, the local government shall cover the costs for such private service provider:
Costs shall be covered in the amount that corresponds to the average costs necessary for one child in the pre-school education programme in educational institutions of the respective local government. If the child acquires a pre-school education programme implemented in educational institutions selected by the local government in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Public Procurement Law, the costs shall be covered in the amount which is determined as a result of the public procurement.
Responsibility of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development is to develop the methodology so that a local government can determine the average costs necessary per one child in the pre-school education programme (from the age of 18 months until start of primary education) at local government educational institutions. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development also defines procedures (available in Latvian language) by which a local government covers the costs determined by the local government (see previous paragraph) of a pre-school education programme for a private educational institution.