For almost every family in Cluj-Napoca, returning to work after parental leave comes with the same pressing question: where can I leave my child safely, without feeling guilty? And right after it comes a second, equally hard question: do I choose a public or a private nursery?
The answer is not universal. The difference between a public and a private nursery does not boil down to “one is cheap, the other is expensive”. It is about the schedule, the adult-to-child ratio, the educational philosophy, the waiting lists, the distance from home, and last but not least, how your child feels in the morning when you leave them at the gate.
What a nursery is in Romania
A nursery is an early-education unit for children between 3 months and 3 years old. Starting with 2023-2024, the nursery has been officially integrated into the national education system through Law 198/2023.
All nurseries, whether public or private, must follow a national curriculum for early antepreschool education. Teaching staff must have specialized studies. Minimum standards for space, hygiene, food and adult-to-child ratios are regulated by ministerial order.
Public (state) nursery — advantages
The public nurseries in Cluj-Napoca are run by the Budgetary Center for Nursery Administration (CBAC), headquartered at Mehedinți Street no. 15.
- Very low cost: 150-300 RON/month, only the food fee
- Stable and vetted teaching staff — hired through public competition
- Generous spaces and dedicated yards — many in standalone buildings
- Extended schedule until 17:30-18:00
- Hot meal prepared in an in-house kitchen
- Administrative stability
Public nursery — disadvantages
- Few spots and long waiting lists
- Strict tie-breaking criteria
- Limited schedule flexibility — no after-nursery
- Larger groups
- Standard curriculum, with no “extra” options
- Classic communication — notebook, quarterly meetings
- A single annual enrollment window
Private nursery — advantages
- Availability almost year-round
- Smaller groups — 6-10 children with 2-3 adults
- Flexible schedule, often 7:30-19:00
- Diverse educational philosophies: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, bilingual
- Included extra activities: English, music, movement
- Digital communication with parents
- Personalized menus
- Modern facilities
- Gradual adaptation of 2-4 weeks
Private nursery — disadvantages
- Monthly cost 5-20× higher
- Uneven quality
- Sometimes limited spaces — villas or apartments
- Risk of financial instability
- Hidden additional costs
- Annual fee increases
Direct comparison: table
| Criterion | Public nursery | Private nursery |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee 2026 | 150-300 RON | 1,500-5,500 RON |
| Enrollment fee | 0 RON | 200-1,500 RON |
| Average capacity | 60-120 children | 20-60 children |
| Adult-to-child ratio | 1 to 7-9 | 1 to 4-6 |
| Schedule | 7:00-17:30 | 7:30-19:00 |
| Available spots | Limited | Almost continuous |
| Foreign languages | No | Frequently (English) |
| Gradual adaptation | Partial | Yes (2-4 weeks) |
Cluj-Napoca figures in 2026
Public sector: ~20 public nurseries, ~1,650 spots. Among the best known: Casa Spiridușilor, Patrocle, Tom Degețel, Castelul Fermecat, Vrăjitorul din Oz.
Private sector: more than 50 authorized private nurseries. Maple Bear, Camigo, Kinderland, BioBee, Csemete, Hand in Hand Montessori. The densest coverage is in Bună Ziua, Andrei Mureșanu, Zorilor and Borhanci.
How enrollment works
At a public nursery: complete file in May-June, ranking by points. Details in state nursery enrollment.
At a private nursery: visit, form, contract, advance payment. Enrollments year-round.
Practical tip: enroll your child on the public list as well, even if you are counting on the private one.
Real costs in 2026
Public: realistic annual total: 1,800-3,600 RON. Private: realistic annual total: 20,000-70,000 RON.
Recommendations based on your situation
- Active mom, both parents in corporate jobs → private if the budget allows
- Tight budget → public, apply from March
- Child with special educational needs → visit 3-4 units, ask for a counselor
- Expat family / bilingualism → private (Maple Bear, Csemete)
- Parents with flexible schedules → choose based on pedagogical philosophy
- Moved to Cluj outside the season → private immediately, public later
Frequently asked questions
Can I enroll my child at a public and a private nursery at the same time? Yes. Many families do exactly that.
From what age can I take my child to nursery? Legally from 3 months. At public nurseries, usually from 1 year. At private ones, from 6-9 months.
Is private nursery tax-deductible? Since 2023, employers can cover up to 1,500 RON/month as a non-taxable benefit.
What happens if my child gets sick often? At a private nursery you pay in full. At a public one you only pay for the days of attendance.
Conclusion
Visit at least 3 nurseries before deciding, regardless of type. On piticluj.ro you will find an interactive map with all public and private nurseries. Filter by neighborhood, type and budget, and put together a short list in 10 minutes.