Nurseries in Plzeň: how to choose
You choose a nursery for three or four years of daily trips. How to pick among Plzeň's 59 nursery schools, what decides at enrolment and where to look when it's full.
1. Start with the catchment
In Plzeň the catchment is the whole city borough: a child living in Plzeň 1 has priority in every nursery of Plzeň 1, not just one. City nurseries admit by shared criteria the city publishes before enrolment: children from the catchment first, oldest first. Outside it you get in only if places are left.
2. The trip and opening hours
- On foot or on the way to work. Five extra minutes morning and afternoon adds up to about 40 hours a year.
- Opening hours. Compare opening and closing times with your work; nurseries can differ by an hour.
- Holidays. Nurseries usually close for a few weeks in summer; ask where the children go then.
3. What to look at in the nursery
- Class size and age mix (mixed, or by age).
- Programme: every nursery has its own curriculum. A focus on nature, movement or languages is nice, but a calm and kind approach matters more.
- Czech School Inspectorate reports: on each nursery's page on Městomat.
- Kitchen and time outdoors: own kitchen, a garden and how often they go out.
- Parents' experience: reviews of nurseries on Městomat are written by parents whose children go or went there.
Nursery schools by city district
4. Open days
Most nurseries hold open days before enrolment. Take your child along and ask about settling in, afternoon naps, allergies and how they keep in touch with parents. Watch how the teachers treat the children, not just the equipment.
5. Enrolment
Enrolment runs from 15. 3. 2027 to 15. 4. 2027. Nurseries run by the city take applications through the City of Plzeň's electronic enrolment support; each nursery publishes the link and the exact days on its website. You can apply to more than one; the head decides by the published criteria.
If your child doesn't get in
- Ask about the waiting order and whether a place may free up (places often free up over summer).
- Look at other nurseries in your borough and the next one.
- Consider a private or forest nursery; they cost more but often have places during the year.
Nursery, doctor and playground close to home
Moving for the children? See which neighbourhoods have the most nurseries and schools and where a playground is close:
Plzeň neighbourhoods with a playground nearby
- 99 % of addresses with a playground within 500 m Lobzy Plzeň 4
- 96 % of addresses with a playground within 500 m Doubravka Plzeň 4
- 95 % of addresses with a playground within 500 m Severní Předměstí Plzeň 1
- 95 % of addresses with a playground within 500 m Východní Předměstí Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 93 % of addresses with a playground within 500 m Jižní Předměstí Plzeň 3
Find a children's doctor in the list of paediatricians in Plzeň; choosing a school in a few years is covered by the guide to primary schools in Plzeň.
Frequently asked questions
How many nursery schools are there in Plzeň?
Plzeň has 59 nursery schools. For each one Městomat shows its programme, inspection reports and parents' reviews.
When is nursery enrolment in Plzeň?
From 15. 3. 2027 to 15. 4. 2027. Nurseries run by the city take applications through the City of Plzeň's electronic enrolment support; each nursery publishes the link and its enrolment days on its website. You can apply to more than one.
Which nursery is my catchment one in Plzeň?
Plzeň has no catchment nursery for each street: the catchment is the whole city borough. You have priority in every nursery of your borough, under the city's shared criteria, oldest children first.
What if my child doesn't get a place?
Ask about the waiting order and freed places, try other nurseries in your borough and the next one, or a private or forest nursery. The education department of your borough can also help with free places.
