Reception (0 grade) – an obligation or a choice? What do the regulations say?

Each year, many parents ask themselves: is preschool prep year mandatory or just an option? The answer is clear – the one-year preschool preparation (reception), commonly known as “zerówka,” is mandatory in Poland for all six-year-old children. This requirement comes directly from the Education System Act.

When must a child start Reception “zerówka”? Preschool obligation in Poland

The mandatory preschool year applies to children who turn 6 in a given calendar year. This means, for example, that children born in 2019 must complete the preschool prep year (zerówka) in the 2025/2026 school year.

Interestingly, the term “zerówka” does not appear in official regulations – it’s a colloquial expression that has become widely used. Legislators refer to it as “one-year compulsory preschool preparation.”

Where can the preschool obligation be fulfilled?

Parents have several options when it comes to where their child completes Reception:

• public or private preschool,
• preschool class at a primary school (the traditional “zerówka”),
• other forms of preschool education, such as preschool points,
• home education – with prior approval from the education superintendent.

This means that while Reception itself is mandatory, parents have full freedom in choosing the form of their child’s education.

At KIDS&Co. preschools, the curriculum for “zerówka” is developed by an experienced team of educators, tailored to meet children’s needs. It provides comprehensive preparation for first grade, based on the 6 Steps to School Readiness approach (KIDS & English, KIDS & STEAM, KIDS & Social Skills, KIDS & Reading, KIDS & Spanish, KIDS & Wellbeing). At KIDS&Co., we focus on the harmonious development of children in cognitive, emotional, social, and physical areas – using, among other methods, the Dalton Plan, educational projects, brainstorming, games, memory techniques, and mind maps. We nurture both fine and gross motor skills, and support multisensory learning.

You can read more about our preschool prep program here.

Reception in preschool or primary school – which one to choose?

Every parent has likely wondered: what’s better for my child – zerówka in preschool or zerówka at primary school? It’s worth making this decision consciously, considering all the environmental factors of each setting and remembering one very important, yet often overlooked point: both preschool and primary school zerówka follow the same core curriculum. This means your child will cover the same material and complete the same stage of education, regardless of the setting. What sets them apart are certain conditions that will have different significance for each child and family. We’ve discussed this topic in depth in this article: “Reception in preschool or school? How to make the best decision for your child?”

The benefits of attending preschool and your child’s school readiness – read more in our article: “How does a reception class in kindergarten prepare a child for starting school?”

Who ensures that a child attends reception?

The principal of the local primary school in the child’s residential district is responsible for monitoring preschool obligation. If a child attends a preschool outside the district or is homeschooled, parents must inform the appropriate institution.

What if the child is homeschooled during “zerówka”?

Parents who choose home education (even at the zerówka stage) still fulfill the one-year preschool obligation – just outside of a formal institution. To do so legally, several requirements must be met.

First, parents must obtain approval for homeschooling from the education superintendent. To get this approval, parents must:

• indicate the institution (a preschool or primary school) the child will be officially enrolled in,
• submit a request for home education approval,
• provide a recommendation from a psychological and pedagogical counseling center.

The child then becomes a formal student of that institution but fulfills their education requirement at home under parental supervision. The selected institution (e.g., a preschool) is responsible for administrative oversight and progress verification, including annual exams or other assessments.

Parents do not need to notify the municipality separately – the obligation to report and document home education lies with the chosen institution.

Can a child start reception earlier?

Yes! While the obligation applies to six-year-olds, five-year-olds can also begin zerówka – provided they have a positive readiness assessment from a psychological and pedagogical counseling center.

Summary

• Reception is mandatory for six-year-old children.
• Parents choose where the child fulfills the one-year preschool obligation – it doesn’t have to be a school.
• The principal of the local school oversees the obligation.
• Children can start “zerówka” earlier if they are ready.

Reception is more than a formality – it’s a key stage in preparing a child for school. It’s worth viewing it as an opportunity for a smooth transition into formal education.

If you’re wondering which preschool education format is best for your child – talk to our team. We’ll be happy to help!

Learn more about the KIDS&Co. kindergarten and nursery program. Our facilities are located in the following cities:

• private preschools and nurseries in Warsaw
• private preschools and nurseries in Wrocław
• private preschools and nurseries in Gdańsk
• private preschools and nurseries in Łódź
• private preschools and nurseries in Kraków
• private preschools and nurseries in Katowice
• private preschools and nurseries in Poznań
• private preschools and nurseries in Suwałki
• private preschools and nurseries in Ostrów Mazowiecka
• And from September, also private preschool and nursery in Gdynia