Returning to work after having a child is a significant challenge – both emotionally and logistically. That is why it is so important to provide access to affordable, high-quality care for the youngest children. At the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, we place great emphasis on this.

Increasing Number of Nursery Places

Over the coming years, more than 102,577 new childcare places for children up to the age of three will be created across the country – in crèches, children’s clubs and with day care providers. This expansion is made possible by the Active Toddler programme, which has a record budget of PLN 6.5 billion.

Funding for the development of the early childhood care network is provided by the European Funds for Social Development (EFSD) programme, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), and the state budget.

Importantly, the funding covers not only the creation of new places but also their ongoing operation.

Eliminating White Spots

We are gradually eliminating the so-called white spots – our aim is to ensure that parents in every municipality in Poland have access to institutional childcare. For this reason, municipalities are given priority in accessing programme funding. Local government units have three years to complete the investment, while other entities are allowed up to two years.

According to the Register of Crèches, governors have signed agreements for the creation of more than 67,000 childcare places under the Active Toddler programme.

To date, we have secured contracts for the creation of over 80 per cent of the places (39,378) required to meet the NRRP indicator (47,560).

All these efforts have led to an increase in the availability rate of childcare places to 41.50 per cent (as of 30 April 2025).  

Monthly Support for Childcare

In addition to Active Toddler, the childcare system for the youngest children in Poland is further strengthened by the Active Parent programme. It offers up to PLN 1,500 per month – depending on the type of benefit selected – to support childcare for children under the age of three, regardless of household income. For children with disabilities, the amount increases to as much as PLN 1,900 per month.

Between 1 October 2024, when the programme was launched, and 14 May 2025, a total of 2.08 million benefits worth PLN 2.69 billion were paid out under Active Parent. Approximately PLN 1.55 billion of this was disbursed through the Active in Nursery benefit.