# Preschool education developments in Croatia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/preschool-education-developments-in-croatia
> Updated: 2026-09-02T09:20:40.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3.

Preschool education in Croatia is seeing developments in both staffing and infrastructure. In Zadar and Pazin, kindergartens are preparing for the upcoming pedagogical year through recruitment of educators and support staff. In the Pazin region, local authorities have ensured that every eligible child has a guaranteed place in public kindergarten, supplemented by city co-financing for private childcare and nannies.

Simultaneously, new preschool facilities have been inaugurated in Dekanovec and Križ. The Dekanovec facility, funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and various ministries, can accommodate 32 children. In Križ, a new center valued at over 3.2 million euros has opened to accommodate 80 children, featuring advanced digital equipment and an interactive sensor-based playground.

Further expansion continues with the opening of new facilities in Rukavac and Đurmanec. In Rukavac, a new branch of the Matulji Kindergarten has opened following a 6.5 million euro investment. This energy-efficient, two-story building provides 96 new places and includes a rooftop solar power plant, a multipurpose hall, and a 3,500 square meter outdoor area with an orchard and sports field.

In Đurmanec, a new branch of the Đurmanec Kindergarten has opened to accommodate approximately 80 children across five educational groups, bringing the total enrollment to about 160. The facility features a specialized light and shadow room for sensory integration and a multipurpose space. This expansion has necessitated the hiring of 10 new educators and four technical staff members.

Recent developments include the opening of the ‘Cvrčak’ kindergarten in Virovitica, which provides 205 new places following a 5 million euro investment.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Regional expansion of childcare and healthcare infrastructure in Southeast Europe

Municipalities across Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro are investing in new kindergartens and pediatric facilities to expand childcare and healthcare capacity.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-preschool-facilities-open-in-rukavac-and-urmanec

### 2026-08-28: New kindergartens open in Dekanovec and Križ

New modern kindergartens have opened in Dekanovec and Križ, Croatia, featuring significant investments in digital equipment and infrastructure to support local preschool education.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-kindergartens-open-in-dekanovec-and-kri

### 2026-08-28: Kindergartens in Zadar and Pazin prepare for new school year

Kindergartens in Zadar and Pazin are preparing for the new school year, with Zadar's Radost filling staff roles and Pazin guaranteeing preschool spots for all eligible children through subsidies.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kindergartens-in-zadar-and-pazin-prepare-for-new-school-year

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Cite as: Preschool education developments in Croatia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/preschool-education-developments-in-croatia