FREE CHILDCARE

CRECHES GRATUITAS

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WHAT IS IT?

As of 2021, Portugal has implemented a new free childcare/nursery system aimed at providing accessible early childhood education and care for families across the country. This new system offers universal access to free childcare and nursery services for children within a certain age range.

The system fully is funded by the government, ensuring that families do not have to bear the financial burden of childcare expenses during the early years of their children's lives. The system upholds rigorous quality standards to ensure that children receive high-quality care and education in a safe and nurturing environment. This includes requirements for qualified staff, appropriate facilities and curriculum.

Social Security will take over the entire cost-sharing for families, including the following expenses:

Activities and services usually provided by nurseries (nutrition, pedagogical, play and motor skills activities, among others);
Food, including special diets on medical prescription;
Registration process, renewal and insurance;
Extended hours and weekly extensions.

Not included are the costs of activities outside the educational project, which are optional such as:

Purchase of diapers
Uniforms and school uniforms
Transportation services

The family's social and economic assessment will be considered. However, there is a prioritization criteria:

Children who have attended nursery school in the previous year;
Children with disabilities;
Children of mothers and fathers who are underage students, or beneficiaries of personal assistance within the scope of Support for Independent Living or recognized as the main informal caregiver, or children in foster care or in shelters;
Children with siblings, who demonstrably belong to the same household, attending a service provided by the same organization;

Children benefiting from the social benefit Garantia para a Infância and/or the family allowance for children and young people (1st and 2nd brackets), whose guardians can be proven to live in the area of influence of the social service;
Children who are beneficiaries of the social benefit Garantia para a Infância and/or with family allowances for children and young people (1st and 2nd levels), whose guardians demonstrably work in the area of influence of the social response
Children in single-parent households or large families, whose guardians can be proven to live in the area of influence of the social response;
Children whose guardians can be proven to live in the area of influence of the social response;
Children in single-parent households or large families whose guardians have a proven professional activity in the area of influence of the social response;
Children whose guardians have a proven professional activity in the area of influence of the social response.

WHY WOULD I NEED IT?

For many families, the cost of childcare can be a significant financial burden. Access to free childcare alleviates this strain, allowing parents to work or pursue education without worrying about the high cost of childcare. Free childcare also enables parents to remain in the workforce, contributing to their family's income and economic stability. This support is especially crucial for single parents or families with limited financial resources.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The measure applies to children born before September 1, 2021, covered by the 1st and 2nd income brackets of the family contribution, in daycare centers in the social and solidarity network.

The measure also applies to all children born on or after September 1, 2021, who attend daycare centers, family daycare centers in the solidarity network, as well as social security nannies and daycare centers in the lucrative network or in the public network that are part of the network of participating daycare centers.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Download the Creche Feliz app to easily find free childcare centers in your area. Get information on available spots, contact details, and locations. If none are available, use the Interest Signaling form on the app. Available on IOS and Android.

Conduct a search for free childcare places in the areas of residence or work
Visit or consult the nurseries with free places that best suit the family's needs
If the chosen nursery is an active member, ask for a registration code
Register the applicant and select the chosen nursery in the app
Click on "request free of charge" and enter child information and the code
Submit the request
Receive an email with request information
The nursery will be notified of the request
Social Security will contact the applicant with the decision on the application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

You don’t need a resident card, neither do your children. You only need your NIF, NISS and SNS number. It’s recommended that you go to the nursery that you plan to enroll your children in and ask what are the specific documents that they require for enrollment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I choose the nursery my child attends?	Families can choose the nursery where they want to place their child or children, as long as there are vacancies in the solidarity network (Private Social Solidarity Institutions with a cooperation agreement). If there is no vacancy in the solidarity network, families can choose a daycare center in the private sector, as long as it is a member of the Daycare Centers Exchange under the free of charge measure.
Are private nurseries covered by the gratuity measure?	Yes, some are.
I have already paid for registration and insurance (children born after 2021). Will the amounts paid be refunded?	Any fees paid by parents or legal representatives at the time of registration will be refunded. The amount paid to reserve a place, in the form of a deposit, must be returned when the contract for the services is signed, and cannot exceed 25 euros.
How can I find out my family contribution rate?	You should check with the nursery you are attending, as this depends on its internal regulations. It should be noted that income brackets are only considered for children born before 01/09/2021 who are in the 1st and 2nd brackets in nurseries belonging to the solidarity network (IPSS).

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