pré-escolar
Published 8 November 2026, 22:51
educação pré-escolar — pre-school education
Kindergarten for children from the age of three until they start school: in the state system it is part of education, not just childcare. Pre-school places are allocated in the same way as school places — through the Portal das Matrículas and by the same body, AGSE — and if there is no place, the child simply stays at home. Nursery for under-threes is creche, and it is organised separately.
Where you come across it. Enrolling a child in kindergarten or school, discussions about waiting lists and a shortage of places.
Don't confuse creche and pré-escolar: they are different stages, with different rules and different waiting lists. You have to apply for a pre-school place in advance — it won't just appear.