Maricá reports 8,000+ enrollments in early childhood education

Maricá reports that over 8,000 children are enrolled in early childhood education across 60 municipal units, ranging from nurseries to preschools. However, recent data highlights ongoing challenges regarding access to daycare services.

In March 2026, official documents indicated a waiting list of 1,015 children for daycare spots. The demand was most concentrated in the Berçário II category, which accounted for more than half of the total waiting list. There are concerns regarding whether the municipality will meet its goal of eliminating the daycare waiting list by the end of 2026, as current reports do not provide updated figures on how many children remain on the list.

To support working families, the municipality also operates the 'Corujinhas' program. This initiative provides nighttime care for children aged 1 to 10, specifically for families whose guardians work or study during the evening. The program currently operates at the Centro Educacional Infantil Municipal (CEIM) Professora Ondina de Oliveira Coelho from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.