Crete allocates €24.6 million for inclusive early childhood education

The Regional Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, signed a decree to fund a €24.6 million programme for the 2026‑2027 school year that will provide free preschool and creative‑activity places for children with disabilities. The action is part of the “Child Guarantee” policy and will be financed through the Crete 2021‑2027 programme, the European Social Fund (EKT+) and the regular state budget.

The scheme will issue vouchers to 9,651 eligible families, covering around 10,630 children. It creates two sub‑projects: one delivering slots in infant‑, toddler‑ and preschool‑centres and integrated care facilities, and another offering places in creative‑activity centres for children, adolescents and persons with disabilities. The aim is to ensure equal, barrier‑free access to quality early‑childhood services across Crete.