Childcare and babysitters in Prague: nurseries, kindergartens and sitters

You have a job, a toddler and a flat that is new to you. In Prague, the first question is how childcare is organised, because it is organised differently from the UK or the US. There is a clear public system for older children, a thinner one for babies and a thriving informal market of sitters in between.

The ladder by age

For the youngest children there are two main forms of care outside the home. A jesle is a nursery for children under three, and a dětská skupina (children's group) is a registered small-scale group that often serves employers or neighbourhoods. Places are limited, so apply early and ask about the waiting list when you first call.

From the age of about three, children can attend a mateřská škola (kindergarten). Public kindergartens are run by the district or the city and are allocated by an annual enrolment in May (as of 2026; check the date with your local office). The final pre-school year, which starts in the September after a child turns five, is compulsory (and free of fees in public kindergartens), so the system is built around that milestone. Then comes primary school (základní škola). Our guide to choosing an international school covers that route.

Public or private

Public kindergartens charge low fees, but they allocate places by criteria that favour local residents and older children, so mid-year arrivals can find the local one full. Private kindergartens and international schools often take children at any time of year, at a cost that varies a lot. Ask each for its fee, its hours and its language of instruction, and visit before you commit.

For babies and toddlers, a children's group or a private nursery may be your only structured option. Ask about the staff-to-child ratio, the daily routine, how they handle illness and what happens when the staff are away.

Babysitters

For an evening or a school-holiday morning, most families use a sitter. There are three routes.

Agencies vet their sitters and arrange bookings, which costs more. Online platforms and community groups let you find individuals directly. Personal recommendations from other parents are the most reliable way to find someone you will trust.

Whichever route you use, meet the sitter first with your child present. Ask for references and call them. Check practical points: first-aid knowledge, how they travel home, whether they speak the language your child does and what they would do in an emergency. Leave a written note with emergency numbers and the address.

What it costs, and what you owe

We are not quoting hourly rates, because they depend on the sitter, the district, the hours and the agency, and any figure here would date quickly. Ask for the rate up front and agree whether travel, late finishes and holidays cost extra.

If you pay a sitter regularly, ask whether it counts as an employment relationship (a dohoda with contributions and reporting) rather than an informal favour. Rules on insurance and tax differ depending on the arrangement and the person's status. This is an area for an accountant or payroll adviser, not guesswork. Our guide to finding a tax adviser or accountant in Prague can help.

Au pairs and live-in help

Some families host an au pair or hire a live-in nanny. Whether a non-EU citizen may do this, and under what visa or work permission, depends on their nationality and the arrangement. Ask the Ministry of the Interior's information service before you commit, and read our overview of working in Prague as a foreigner. If the person lives with you, put the terms in a written agreement.

Questions to ask on a visit

Go in the morning when the group is running, not at a quiet time arranged for you. Watch how staff speak to the children and how the children respond. Ask how many children each adult looks after, how the day is divided between play, meals, rest and time outside, and how parents are told about the day. Ask what happens when your child is ill, who is called, and when the child may return. Ask how the group handles a child who speaks little Czech, and whether the staff use English with parents or only with children. A good place answers plainly and lets you see the rooms, including the toilets and the outdoor space.

Health, safety and settling in

Vaccination is required for kindergarten, and enrolment asks for proof of it, usually with a medical certificate from your paediatrician. The required vaccines are set by the health authorities, so ask the kindergarten and your paediatrician which documents they need. Our guide to finding an English-speaking doctor will help you find a paediatrician.

Expect separation to take time. Kindergartens often offer a gradual start. Tell the staff about allergies, medications, naps and what comforts your child.

Where to look for English-speaking care

If you need English, search for "bilingual" or "international" nursery, children's group or kindergarten, and ask each for its language policy, its staff and its curriculum. Parents' groups for expats are useful for recommendations, and so are neighbourhood groups on social media, though anyone can post there, so check claims yourself.

For help with the wider move, our guide to moving to Czechia with a family sets out the first steps.

Frequently asked questions

When is enrolment for public kindergartens?

In May each year (as of 2026; check with your district), for places from the following September.

Is the last year of kindergarten compulsory?

Yes. It starts in the September after the child turns five, and it is free of fees in public kindergartens.

Do I need a contract for a regular babysitter?

A regular paid arrangement can count as employment. Ask an accountant or payroll adviser about the paperwork.

Can I find childcare in English?

Yes. Search for bilingual or international nurseries and kindergartens, and ask each about its staff and language policy.

Start with the question that has a deadline. If your child is nearly three, look at the May enrolment date for your district now.

This is a general explainer, not legal or tax advice.