Nursery and after-school fees in Czechia may rise from September 2026 — here's who will be affected

Starting from the 2026/2027 school year, parents in Czechia may see higher fees for nursery schools, after-school clubs and childcare groups. According to the EDUin education centre, this concerns the so-called "education fee" — a charge covering non-investment costs that are not funded by the state.

"The state pays for the work of teachers and other staff, while founders are responsible for investment costs. Money from parents goes, for example, towards toys, teaching aids and materials for children," explained EDUin analyst Nikola Šramková.

Why do parents have to pay for compulsory education?

In fact, only attendance at primary school is compulsory. After-school care is an additional service that helps parents balance work with childcare. The situation with nursery schools is different: attendance is compulsory during the final year before starting school, but that particular year is fee-free. Children aged five and older, up to the start of compulsory schooling — including those granted a deferral — are exempt from payment.

How much will the new fee be?

The fee amount is regulated by law, while the exact sum is set by decision of the founding municipality. According to Ilona Masopustová, a representative of the Ministry of Education's school and founder support department, the monthly fee for nursery schools cannot exceed 8% of the minimum monthly wage, and for after-school clubs and childcare groups, 4%. For the 2026/2027 school year, this means a maximum of CZK 1,792 per month for nursery school and CZK 896 for after-school care or clubs.

However, an increase is not automatic — each founder decides individually whether to raise fees, and by how much.

How to find out about a fee increase — and whether you can be exempt

Under the rules, parents were supposed to be notified of any fee increase by 30 June this year, with the information published on the official notice boards of both the municipality and the school itself. For instance, a nursery school in Prague's Nebušice district announced a fee increase to CZK 1,100 per month starting 1 September 2026, based on a decision by the district mayor dated 19 May 2026. If neither the founder nor the institution itself has published any such notice, no changes will apply.

In certain cases, a director may fully exempt a family from paying for preschool education. According to Marcela Zajícová of the "Předškolní poradí" consulting service, exemptions apply, among others, to families receiving child benefit, a top-up to the subsistence minimum, an increased childcare allowance, or a benefit for children in foster care — provided they can confirm their entitlement to these payments.

Source: denik.cz