💡 In Czech kindergartens children are brought by nine: in the šatna (cloakroom) they change, you hand them to the teacher (paní učitelka) and briefly say how the night was.
💡 The teacher tells you about food (jedl), sleep (spal), play (hrál si) and mood; the question Jaký byl den? is standard at pick-up.
💡 At kindergarten you bring náhradní oblečení (spare clothes), bačkory (slippers), pyžamo (pyjamas) and sometimes a hrneček (mug); everything is labelled with the child's name.
💡 Alergie na potraviny is a food allergy, dieta a diet, potvrzení od lékaře a doctor's certificate; allergies are reported to the teacher and the kitchen in writing.
💡 The child is picked up only by persons named by the parents (pověřená osoba); a new person is entered on a list or a pověření k vyzvedávání (written permission) is written.
💡 If you are late phone the kindergarten: that way educators know whether to wait for the child; a late arrival can disrupt the day's routine.
💡 In the morning the teacher may ask how the child is; with a temperature, cough or runny nose it is better to keep the child at home: an honest answer helps the other children too.
💡 The morning goodbye should be short: say you will come back, hug and leave; children usually calm down within a few minutes; ask how the child spent the day.
💡 In a Czech kindergarten children wear přezůvky (indoor slippers), have pyžamo (pyjamas) for the rest and a change of clothes; label everything with the child's name.
💡 Another person collects the child only with a written pověření (authorisation): name, ID number and signature; without it the teacher will not hand the child over.
💡 A sick child is not brought in: illness is reported in the morning by phone, email or the school's app; for a contagious disease (infekční nemoc) you must say what it is.
💡 After illness the child returns when healthy and no longer contagious; for contagious diseases the doctor often issues a potvrzení o bezinfekčnosti (certificate of non-infectiousness).
💡 Contagious diseases (plané neštovice chickenpox, vši lice, spála scarlet fever) are reported to the kindergarten at once: this is needed to protect other children.
💡 After vomiting or diarrhoea a child should stay at home at least a day without symptoms; ask the kindergarten what its rule is and do not bring the child until she has recovered.
💡 Vši (lice) are common in kindergartens; the teacher informs the parents, you check the hair and buy a product proti vším at the pharmacy; the child may return after the treatment.
💡 If something happens to a child in kindergarten the teacher phones and writes a záznam o úrazu (injury record); ask for a copy and whether you need to see a doctor.
💡 Teachers usually do not give medicine; the exception is with the written consent of the parents and the doctor stating the dose and time; ask the kindergarten what its rules are.
💡 Enrolment (zápis) in state kindergartens takes place in spring (usually in May): you submit the application with documents and wait for the decision; the last year before school attendance is compulsory.
💡 In state kindergartens there is školné (a fee, lower or zero for the last year) and stravné (meal fee); the amount is stated on the kindergarten's website.
💡 For enrolment you usually need: the application, the birth certificate or rodný list, potvrzení o očkování (vaccination certificate from the doctor), a parent's ID.
💡 The zápis do mateřské školy (kindergarten enrolment) takes place in spring, usually in May; you need the birth certificate, the vaccination card and a residence document; children from the catchment area and children for whom preschool is compulsory have priority.
💡 Ask whether there is an asistent pedagoga (teaching assistant) or an adaptační skupina (adaptation group) for children who do not speak Czech yet; children usually pick up the language quickly.
💡 You usually pay an úplata za předškolní vzdělávání (monthly fee) for kindergarten and meals separately; in the last year before school the fee is often waived; ask which documents are needed for a reduction.
💡 Adaptace is gradual settling-in: in the first days the child stays an hour or two, a parent may be nearby; it usually takes several weeks.
💡 You get the list of things for kindergarten at the school: slippers, spare clothes, pyjamas, mug, sometimes tissues; everything is labelled.
💡 The třídní schůzka (or schůzka rodičů) is a parents' meeting, usually in the evening; the schedule, festivities and fundraising for a need are discussed.
💡 A konzultace is a personal talk with the teacher about development; it covers speech (řeč), movement (motorika) and relations with other children.
💡 In kindergarten there is usually an odpolední odpočinek (afternoon rest) after lunch: children lie on cots; those who do not sleep do quiet activities; ask how it is done.
💡 The kindergarten may photograph children but publication needs the parents' souhlas (consent); you can allow internal use only or refuse publication.
💡 The kindergarten sends news by the nástěnka (notice board), e-mail or a parents' app; ask which channel is the main one and whether messages can be received in a convenient language.
💡 In kindergarten on a birthday people often bring a treat for the group (fruit, a small cake); ask the teacher what is allowed, especially regarding allergies.
💡 Mikuláš (5 December) is a holiday when children meet St Nicholas with an angel and a devil; they give small gifts and ask whether the children were good; the devil scares in jest.
💡 For excursions and trips a souhlas rodičů (written consent) is requested; read where and when the group goes, what to bring and what it costs; ask if anything is unclear.
💡 A karneval is a ball with costumes, a kostým a costume; children usually come dressed as fairy-tale characters or animals; it is often held in February.
💡 Relatives come to the vánoční besídka (Christmas show); children sing and act a scene; entry is free but arrive on time and silence your phone; bringing refreshments is optional.
💡 For an outing the parents' consent is needed; the child takes a svačina (snack), a bottle of water and suitable clothes; the teachers take lists and contacts.
💡 At a den otevřených dveří (open day) you can see the kindergarten and classrooms and meet the teachers; ask about the routine, food, groups and fees.