Sofia nursery groups face closure due to nurse shortage

The Sofia Municipality has issued an urgent appeal to the Ministries of Education and Health, as well as the National Assembly, regarding a critical shortage of nurses in nursery groups. Currently, 78 nursery groups in Sofia are at risk of closure, which could leave 1,716 children without childcare services.

Out of the 520 nurses required for Sofia's 260 nursery groups, only 364 are currently employed. The shortage is exacerbated by an aging workforce; over 52% of nurses in kindergartens are over the age of 62, while only 35 are under the age of 35. Deputy Mayor Desislava Zhelyazkova noted that the shortage is a systemic issue affecting the broader educational system.

The municipality is proposing a legislative change to the childcare model. The suggested model would involve a multidisciplinary team of specialists to care for children under age three, allowing nurses to focus specifically on medical care and observation. This proposal is supported by the Bulgarian Medical Union, the Sofia Medical College, and the Bulgarian Paediatric Association.