In Kaunas, since July, there is no more compensation for private kindergartens

After 30 members of the council voted “for”, seven abstained and two did not vote, the procedure established by Kaunas politicians in 2014, according to which monthly compensation of up to 100 euros was given to parents of kindergarteners attending non-state educational institutions, was abolished.

According to Ona Gucevičienė, head of the municipality’s Education Department, it was decided to refuse the support because “the number of vacant places in the budgetary institutions of the Kaunas City Municipality is increasing, where it is possible to ensure (education – BNS) for those children who attend non-state institutions”.

“Secondly, the number of children who need compensation for preschool education in private institutions is decreasing,” said O. Gucevičienė.

According to the data of January 14, 2024 presented in the Council’s decision, there are 832 vacant places in Kaunas kindergartens. Compensation was provided to 104 children in the third quarter of last year, and to 28 children in the last quarter.

Last year, parents or guardians were paid 97 thousand for attending non-state kindergartens. compensations, this amount has been consistently decreasing since 2019, when it reached 428 thousand. euros.

Following the procedure established in November 2014, compensation of up to 100 euros was awarded to one of the child’s parents or guardians, when the place of residence of the child and parents was declared in Kaunas for at least one year when applying for support. Also – when the child did not attend two kindergartens established by the city for at least half a year and attended a non-state educational institution in Kaunas.