In 2020, 134.2 thousand children attended preschool institutions, which is 10.4% less than in the previous year.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of kindergarten children decreased both in villages (-11.6%) and in cities (-9%). At the same time, the number of children studying in private institutions increased by 4.7% and amounted to 1.1 thousand people. The majority of children were enrolled in preschool education (92.2%) with different indicators by region, with the highest proportion being in Chisinau - 93.7%, and the lowest - in the south - 89.6%. On average, last year there were 76 children per 100 places in preschool education institutions: 91 - in cities, 65 - in villages. Most children per 100 places were registered in Balti (111 children), and the least - in kindergartens in Leova (42 children). According to statistics, in 2020, preschool education was organized in 1,485 institutions: 808 - nursery-kindergarten, 568 - kindergartens, 90 - schools- kindergartens, 17 cultural centers and 2 nurseries. Of these, 4 kindergartens had the status of sanatorium institutions, and 7 - special ones. Compared to 2019, the number of kindergartens increased (+25 units) and the number of nursery-kindergarten decreased (-21 units). About 99% of kindergartens are in the public sector, and 1% (15 institutions) are in the private sector. In total, more than 6.4 thousand preschool education groups were recruited in the country, including 50 special ones (for 742 children). The total number of kindergarten staff was 31.3 thousand people, of which 40.6% were management and teaching staff. Almost 98% of kindergarten staff are women, and more than 62% have higher education. More than 61.5% of teachers in kindergartens are over 50 years old, about 25% are at the age of 30-39 years old, 21.2% are 40-49 years old, 14.3% are under 30 years old. About 90% of them have a teacher's education. // 19.04.2021 — InfoMarket
