Greece Provides Free Nursery Care for 1,394 Children

A total of 1,394 babies and young children are attending 27 nurseries operated by Greece’s Public Employment Service (DYPA) free of charge during the 2026-27 school year.

The 27 nurseries began operating on September 1, 2026, across Greece. The 28th facility, in Giannouli, Larissa, is expected to reopen during the second half of September after suffering serious damage from Storm Daniel in September 2023. It will initially accommodate 22 children.

DYPA continues to assess applications from children on the waiting list.

The nurseries provide free childcare, meals and early childhood education, supporting working and unemployed families and, in particular, parents who combine employment or job searches with caring for their children.

The network, the largest of its kind in Greece, covers areas of Attica and major regional cities including Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kavala, Komotini and Trikala.

1,394 children enrolled for the new school year

For the 2026-27 school year, DYPA selected 1,394 children based on the social and financial criteria set out in its relevant call for applications.

During the process, parents cancelled 385 applications.

Authorities are now reviewing applications from children on the waiting list to fill available places, with the number of active enrolments expected to increase by the end of September.

The nurseries accommodate babies and young children aged from six months to four years.

They operate from September 1 until July 31 each year.

Fire safety certification process

According to DYPA, all of its nurseries have fully implemented the recommendations of the Fire Service and completed the required fire safety measures.

DYPA continues to monitor the relevant administrative procedures in cooperation with the competent authorities and carries out regular inspections across its entire network.

New nursery planned for Salamina

DYPA has also approved the construction of a new nursery on Salamina, with the process of obtaining the required permit currently underway.

The new building will cover approximately 820 square metres and will have capacity for between 50 and 60 children.

Under the current timetable, DYPA aims to have the facility operating by 2028.

DYPA governor stresses child safety

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), DYPA governor Gianna Chormova said the organisation’s nurseries provide daily support to workers, unemployed people and their families.

She said 27 of the network’s 28 nurseries began operating on September 1, while the Giannouli facility is scheduled to reopen during the month.

Chormova stressed that child safety remains a responsibility that allows no compromises.

She said DYPA had carried out the measures recommended by the relevant authorities and submitted the necessary files to complete fire safety certification at nurseries where the process remains ongoing.

DYPA, she added, is monitoring the process daily until all certificates are issued.

“Our goal is for every child to be in a safe and supportive environment and for every family to have access to free early childhood education services,” Chormova said.

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