A new type of children’s group - “neighbourhood children’s group” – has been introduced into law on 1 May 2025.  In a neighbourhood children’s group the service is provided directly by a qualified, healthy, competent care person without a criminal record (same requirements as for regular children’s groups). The service can be provided in the care person’s own home or in another suitable space. The capacity of a neighbourhood children’s group is up to 4 children (this includes the provider’s own children). 

The Decree on Implementing Certain Provisions of the Act on Providing Childcare in a Children´s Group defines the spatial and operational requirements for neighbourhood children’s groups. Special emphasis is placed on providing a safe environment. The provider’s family members who are part of the household, in which the service is provided, must be reliable and without a criminal record and their health status cannot compromise the service provision. The provider can apply for contributions to be paid from the state budget in the same manner as regular children’s groups. The maximum parental fee cannot exceed the legally defined amount. There is no central education programme, but the childcare worker as a provider should create an education and care plan the same as providers of regular children’s groups, as well as set out internal regulations and make a contract with the parents. They must also comply with the standards for quality of care. For details, see the sections on childcare in the other pages of Chapter 3.

Home-based provision can theoretically be provided under the trade “Daily care of children under 3 years of age”. Such type of provision is considered as the “trade provided in a premise” and thus the same rules apply as for other childcare facilities for children under 3 years of age, including the sanitary requirements.