Nursery (Żłobek) in Poland — How to Enrol Your Child, Costs, and Subsidies for Foreign Workers

A żłobek is a childcare facility for children up to 3 years of age. If you are legally employed and insured in Poland, you are entitled to a nursery subsidy regardless of your nationality. What matters is that you work and pay social insurance contributions here.

Who Can Use a Żłobek?

• Children from 20 weeks old up to the age of 3 (exceptionally 4 if there is no preschool place available)
• Children of parents or legal guardians who live and work in the relevant municipality (gmina)

Subsidy — The "Aktywny Rodzic" Programme

Since 2024, Poland has had the "Aktywny Rodzic" (Active Parent) programme, which offers three benefits:

• Aktywni rodzice w pracy (Active parents at work) — PLN 1,500 per month (PLN 3,000 for a child with a disability) towards nursery or nanny costs, provided both parents work or study
• Aktywnie w żłobku (Active in the nursery) — a subsidy paid directly to the nursery by ZUS on behalf of eligible families
• Aktywnie w domu (Active at home) — PLN 500 per month when the child does not attend a nursery

To qualify for the work-linked benefits, both parents (or a single parent) must be working, studying, or in an internship.

How to Enrol Your Child

1. Check availability at public and private nurseries on the municipality's website or the national nursery registry (rejestr.zlobki.mrpips.gov.pl)
2. Submit an enrolment application — usually online through the municipal system or in person at the nursery
3. Wait for the results — public nurseries typically run their annual recruitment in spring (March–April) for the school year starting in September
4. Sign a contract with the nursery and apply for the subsidy via ZUS on the PUE ZUS portal or the mZUS app

How Much Does a Żłobek Cost?

• Public nursery: PLN 200–600 per month + meals (approx. PLN 10–15 per day)
• Private nursery: PLN 800–2,000 per month

The PLN 1,500 "Aktywni rodzice w pracy" subsidy significantly reduces the cost of a private nursery.

Nurseries for Children of Foreign Workers

Children of foreign nationals have the same right to a nursery place as Polish children, provided the parents are in Poland legally. For enrolment you may need:

• The child's birth certificate (with a certified translation if required)
• A document confirming the parent's legal stay (residence permit card, visa)
• The child's PESEL number (or an application for one)

Nexflow Supports Your Family

Nexflow provides legal employment and helps its workers access the social benefits they are entitled to. If you have questions about nurseries or the Aktywny Rodzic subsidy — contact us.