What is an independent senior kindergarten class in Vietnam? How many children are required to establish an independent senior kindergarten class?

What is an independent senior kindergarten class in Vietnam?

According to Article 26 of the Education Law 2019, regulations on preschool education institutions are as follows:

Institutions of preschool education

Institutions of preschool education include:

1. Junior kindergarten centers and classes for children aged 03 – 36 months;

2. Senior kindergartens and independent senior kindergarten classes for children aged 03 – 06 years;

3. Combined kindergartens and independent preschool classes for children aged 03 months – 06 years.

Based on Clause 2, Article 6 of the Education Law 2019:

The national educational system

1. The national educational system is an open, transferrable educational system consisting of formal education and continuing education.

2. Educational levels and training qualifications of the national educational system include:

a) Preschool education including junior kindergartens (for children aged 03 – 36 months) and senior kindergartens (for children aged 3 – 5 years);

b) General education with primary education, lower secondary education, and upper secondary education;

c) Vocational education and training at elementary-level, intermediate-level, or college-level and other vocational training programmes;

d) Higher education with university education, master education and doctoral education.

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Thus, an independent senior kindergarten class is an educational institution within the national education system established by an individual or economic, socio-professional, social organizations with non-state budget funds under the permission of the competent state authority. Independent senior kindergarten classes accept children from 03 months old to 03 years old.

What is an independent senior kindergarten class in Vietnam? How many children are required to establish an independent senior kindergarten class?​ (Image from the Internet)

How many children are required to establish an independent senior kindergarten class in Vietnam?

According to Article 10 of Decree 46/2017/ND-CP (amended by Clause 5, Article 1 of Decree 135/2018/ND-CP), the conditions for establishing and operating an independent senior kindergarten class are as follows:

- There must be teachers meeting the required standards.

- There must be safe rooms for nurturing, caring for, and educating children; the area of such rooms must ensure at least 1.5 m2 per child; there should be play areas, fences, and secure gates for children; where meals are organized, there should be separate, safe kitchens; ensure prevention of fire and explosion and food safety hygiene. Have enough clean water for daily use and drinking water for children.

- Equipment for an independent senior kindergarten class:

+ Minimum equipment for children includes: Mats or playing carpets, beds, blankets, pillows, mosquito nets for sleeping, drinking water containers, utensils, toys, storage shelves, towels and cups, enough potty toilets, and materials serving planned play-and-learn activities;

+ Materials for child caregivers include: A set of guides for child nurturing and educational activities; a child monitoring book; a group’s property monitoring book; materials for disseminating child-raising knowledge to parents.

- Equipment for an independent kindergarten class:

+ Minimum equipment for children includes: Proper tables and chairs for children (especially for 05-year-old children): one table and two chairs for two children; one table, one chair, and one board for the teacher; utensils, toys, and storage shelves; drink and daily use water containers; materials for planned play and learning activities.

For semi-boarding classes: Mats or beds, blankets, pillows, mosquito nets, fans;

- Materials for kindergarten teachers include: A set of guides for child nurturing and educational activities; a child monitoring book; a diary for educational activity planning for children during the day; materials for disseminating child-raising knowledge to parents.

- In places where preschool educational institutions do not meet the demand for sending children to schools or classes, individuals can organize child groups to meet the need for child nurturing and care by parents and must register their activities with the Commune People's Committee, ensuring the following conditions for registration:

+ The maximum number of children in a group is 07 children;

+ Caregivers must be healthy, have full legal responsibility, and have certificates in child nurturing and care according to regulations;

+ Facilities must meet the following minimum conditions: The room for nurturing and caring must be at least 15 m2; ensure safety, ventilation, and coolness; have safe and age-appropriate toys for children; have sufficient utensils and equipment for nurturing and caring; have enough drinking and daily use water; have suitable toilets and sanitary equipment for children; have materials guiding child care and education.

Thus, according to the above regulations, the number of children in an independent senior kindergarten class must be a maximum of 07 children to be eligible for establishment.

What are the documents required to establish an independent senior kindergarten class in Vietnam?

According to Article 11 of Decree 46/2017/ND-CP (amended by Clause 6, Article 1 of Decree 135/2018/ND-CP), the required documents to establish an independent senior kindergarten class are as follows:

- A proposal requesting permission to establish an independent senior kindergarten class;

- Public, private kindergartens and private daycare centers may lease premises, facilities, and equipment of the State and public educational institutions that are not in use for educational activities as per legal regulations;

- Copies issued from the original registers, authenticated copies from the originals, or copies accompanied by the originals for verification of the degrees and certificates of the teachers or child caregivers.

In addition, the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee decides on the establishment of independent senior kindergarten classes and kindergartens.