The goal of the “Toddler+” programme is to increase the availability of care places in nurseries, children’s clubs and at day carers for all children, including children with disabilities and those requiring special care, as well as to raise the standards of care.

– Thanks to the programme, parents have the opportunity to combine a career with the responsibility of raising a child. “Toddler +” is also support for the development of infrastructure, which is so important for residents, but also for local governments. We give communes a chance for development aimed at becoming a more attractive place for young parents who plan to have children in the future, says Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Marlena Maląg.

Support for parents and local governments

In Poland, there are currently 6,400 nurseries and children’s clubs that offer nearly 192,000 places for little ones. It is almost 100,000 more than in 2015. Currently, on average, every fourth child benefits from nursery care.

– This increase was possible thanks to the increase of funds allocated to the development of the network of nurseries and children’s clubs. In 2018, we increased the programme budget to 450 million zlotys annually. This increased support is a chance that even more nurseries and children’s clubs will be created in Poland, says Minister Maląg.

Professional childcare in better conditions

In this year’s edition of the programme, almost 20,500 places of care will be created, and nearly 90,000 existing places will receive funding for further operation.

The biggest share of the funds from the programme will be allocated to institutions from the Mazowieckie Voivodeship – the amount of 64 million zlotys is planned to be granted for the creation of 3,700 thousand new places in facilities for children up to 3 years of age and for the co-financing of further operation of nearly 11,000 places. Large support was also provided for facilities from the Małopolskie Voivodeship (50.5 million zlotys for the creation of 2,300 new places and co-financing of further operation of 13,500 places) and the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship (nearly 48.8 million zlotys for the creation of almost 2,300 places and co-financing of further operation of 8,800 already existing ones).

– In the “Toddler +” programme, we place great emphasis on providing children with the most professional care in the best possible conditions. Therefore, we strongly encourage local governments to submit their offers. We should all strive to have as many institutions as possible to look after our children in Poland, but also to give young families a chance to choose whether they will look after their children at home, or use the services of nurseries or clubs that are created thanks to the “Toddler+” programme, emphasises Minister Marlena Maląg.