How is the education system in Cyprus organized for children?

Issues related to the education and leisure of young children are of particular importance for families intending to move to Cyprus. In this article we will try to consider in detail how the educational system of this island country is organized, as well as what options are available for the employment of children in different educational institutions.

Cypriot educational system

The educational system of Cyprus offers children living on the island the opportunity to acquire knowledge in public and private schools. Free public education is compulsory, as in Russia. From the 2020-2021 school year, preschool education became compulsory for children who are five years old on September 1, 2020. At this age, children are sent to a preparatory class, called thereception. Those who have reached the age of six before that date will need to attend the first grade of elementary school.

Registration process and levels of education

The registration process in public schools for the new school year starts in January. Primary education lasts six years, after which students continue to secondary school, which also lasts six years. However, only the first three years are compulsory, after which students have the opportunity to transfer to a lyceum, where education continues from the age of 15 to 18. The final stage is higher education.

Choosing a preschool

When your child is 2 or 3 years old, it is time to think about choosing a school. You can find out which school is right for your child by visiting the Cyprus Ministry of Education website.

Types of kindergartens in Cyprus

There are three main types of pre-schools in Cyprus:

• Public daycare centers:They accept children from the age of three, depending on availability. A birth certificate translated into English or the child's passport is required for enrollment. The monthly fee for public kindergartens averages 42 euros for children from three to five years of age; this amount can be increased when meals are added.
• Private kindergartens:There are approximately 170 such institutions operating in Cyprus. A full list can be found in public sources. The curricula in these gardens are usually taught in Greek, but there are also gardens where classes are taught in other languages.
• Children's centers without a license:These centers, known aschildren's day care centersThey often use the same programs as in public kindergartens. Education can be conducted in English, Greek, and in some Russian-speaking centers. Children can be accepted into these centers starting from 1.5 years old, and the duration of stay can be chosen at any convenient time throughout the day.

Nanny and babysitter services

Finally, for parents looking to hire helpers for childcare and supervision, services of nannies and babysitters are available in Cyprus.

Documents for registering children in educational institutions

Registration requirements for children in educational institutions can vary depending on the type and specifics of the establishment itself. It should be emphasized that for young preschoolers and newly minted first graders, it is necessary to complete a preparatory course, which can be offered in both kindergartens and primary schools. Educational institutions can be either public or private, but they must have a license from the Ministry of Education to operate. Regardless of where the child will study, they will definitely learn the Greek language as part of the educational process.

Admission to a public school

If the parents have decided for their child to attend a public school, the child will need to go to the one closest to their place of residence. There should be no more than 25 students in each class, and classes are held from 7:45 AM to 1:05 PM.

To register for the preparatory class, the following documents will be required:

• Filled out questionnaire
• Birth certificate or foreign passport
• Rental housing agreement
• The latest electricity bill confirming the place of residence.

To enroll in the first grade, it is also necessary to present a certificate of completion of preparatory training and a vaccination card.

Structure of primary schools

Most primary schools have preparatory classes, which are divided into different levels: reception, pre-reception, nursery, and kindergarten. Private educational institutions in Cyprus are quite diverse: there are 30 primary schools, 13 of which are located in Limassol.

In Paphos, there are two Russian schools — "Erudit" and Russian School Paphos, as well as three English schools — International School of Pafos, TLC Private School, and British School Aspire. Additionally, there are a large number of public Greek educational institutions.

Education at the "Erudit" School

The educational process at the "Erudit" school is based on principles approved by the Ministry of Education of Russia and covers grades from first to eleventh. The curriculum places special emphasis on exam preparation, such as the State Final Attestation (GIA), the Unified State Exam (USE) in Russian, mathematics, and English, as well as the IGCSE in Russian.

At Aspire School, following the British educational system, all lessons are conducted in English, along with a variety of additional activities and clubs related to culture and sports.

Documents for school admission

To enroll a child in school, parents need the following documents:

• Completed and signed questionnaire
• Birth certificate (translation not required)
• Parents' and child's passports
• PIN codes for parents and child
• Two photographs of the child
• Certificate from the pediatrician regarding health
• Vaccination card
• Certificate of previous education (if available)

Children have the opportunity to choose friendships based on the language of communication, but this does not prevent them from mastering English at a fluent level in a very short time — just two months.

The educational process and children's safety

Parents can drop off their children at school starting at 7:30, with classes beginning at 7:50 and ending at 13:45. If the child stays for extended learning from 14:15 to 15:15, teachers will supervise them until the program starts.

This means that there will be no need to worry about the child's safety after the main school day is over.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to note that the education system in Cyprus offers a variety of opportunities for the learning and upbringing of children. As the author of this article, I recognize that choosing a kindergarten or school can be a challenging task, especially for parents who have just moved to this beautiful island. For new parents, it is particularly helpful to know that their child can find a place in both public and private institutions, receiving a quality education tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

Preschool education is becoming an integral part of the educational journey, laying the foundation for future success in elementary school.Compulsory and free educationIn public educational institutions, opportunities are made accessible to everyone, while private kindergartens and schools offer various educational programs that can meet the needs of the child.

Documentation and registration

I also want to emphasize the importance of having proper documentation when enrolling — from the birth certificate to the health certificate — as it helps avoid many potential difficulties. Additionally, the registration for schools and kindergartens takes place within convenient timeframes, allowing parents to plan in advance when and which educational institution their child can attend.

Multicultural opportunities

Cyprus also has many multicultural educational institutions where instruction can take place not only in Greek but also in other languages.in Englishor evenin the Russian languagesThis creates favorable conditions for children who speak different languages and helps them integrate into the local community.

The importance of choice

Ultimately, the choices that parents make impact their child's development. Whether they choose a public or private institution, the most important thing is to provide the child with support and love. I hope this article has helped you better understand the educational system in Cyprus and made the selection process more informed and confident. I wish all parents good luck in this important stage of life!