In Latvia children are prepared for school at pre-school educational establishments and pre-school education groups at schools registered in the Register of Educational Establishments and operating in compliance to licensed pre-school education programs. Pre-school education program for children with special needs is implemented in special pre-school educational establishments and groups.
Pre-school education program is intended for children up to seven years of age. Depending upon a child’s health condition and the level of psychological maturity a child may continue studies in a pre-school education program for another year. This decision is taken considering the parents’ wished and doctors’ commission conclusion. A stipulation of the Law on Education providing for mandatory pre-school education of five and six years old children has entered into force as from September 1, 2002.
A child’s preparation for school studies is started at the moment when a child starts to go to pre-school educational establishment, i.e. at the age of two, three, four, five or six years. The pre-school education program ensures a child’s preparation for studies at school comprising the formation of an individual personality, mental, physical and social development, development of initiative, inquisitiveness, independence and creative activities, improvement of health, psychological preparation for school, as well as mastering of the basic skills of the official language. The main type of activity for a pre-school age child is a play, therefore the teaching process is arranged in such a way that children learn by playing. Preparation for school does not mean that the program of Grade One is partially mastered. No entry exams are permitted at pre-school educational establishments.
Teachers working with children of different pre-school ages must have higher pedagogic education and corresponding qualifications.
In Latvia pre-school education programs are implemented mainly in pre-school educational establishments [kindergartens]. If there is no pre-school educational establishment in a municipality, the pre-school education program is implemented in a special pre-school education group at school. A special material base encouraging development via playing has to be developed for the purpose of implementing the pre-school education program at schools implementing this program. Children with special needs go to special pre-school educational establishments or special educational groups in regular pre-school educational establishments.
In compliance to the Law on Municipalities it shall be a duty of every municipality to ensure a possibility to undergo the pre-school education program for the children residing within the territory of the municipality. A municipality shall establish, maintain and provide funding for pre-school educational establishments after obtaining an approval from the Ministry of Education and Science and ensure admission of children to the educational establishments implementing the pre-school education programs upon parents’ request.
