If you’ve moved to Cluj-Napoca with a young child, you have three broad choices: a cheap state nursery/kindergarten (in Romanian), a private bilingual one (Romanian–English), or an international / English-medium one. Nurseries take children roughly 0–3, kindergartens 3–6. Enrollment for state units follows a fixed spring calendar; private ones admit on their own terms. Below is the whole picture — options, language, cost, steps and benefits.
The landscape: state vs private
- State (public): very cheap — a state nursery charges only a food contribution (~15 lei/day; ~300 lei/month), and there’s no enrollment fee. Teaching is in Romanian (some units have Hungarian or German groups). Places are limited and allocated by a spring calendar.
- Private: from affordable bilingual networks to premium international schools. Teaching can be Romanian–English or fully English. This is the usual route for expat families who want English.
For the cost detail, see how much a private nursery costs in Cluj.
Language: English options
- Fully English-medium nurseries/kindergartens: Colina International, KEY International.
- International schools with English early years: Transylvania College (Cambridge), Maple Bear, Researchers Schoolhouse, ImagiNation.
- Bilingual Romanian–English networks: Ary, Camigo, Little Big Steps and many more.
See our guides to English-speaking nurseries (0–3), English-language kindergartens and Cambridge and IB kindergartens.
From what age
Nurseries generally take children from a few months to 3 years; kindergarten is 3–6. See from what age for nursery and kindergarten.
How enrollment works
- State units: a fixed calendar (re-enrollment → stage I → stage II → adjustment; roughly May–August). Nursery applications go through the municipal network (creseclujnapoca.ro), kindergarten through ISJ Cluj. See the step-by-step enrollment guide.
- Private units: contact each directly; they admit year-round subject to places.
Cost and how to reduce it
- State nurseries: ~300 lei/month (food only). Private: ~1,500 to over 6,000 lei/month.
- Nursery vouchers (an employer benefit, 740 lei/month from April 2026) — if your employer offers them, see nursery vouchers.
- A tax deduction may apply — see the tax deduction.
Benefits for resident families
Romania has child benefits (the state child allowance, the child-raising allowance) — eligibility for foreign residents depends on your residency and work status. Don’t assume; check your specific situation with ANPIS / the Ministry of Labour. For the amounts, see the state child allowance 2026 and how the child-raising allowance is calculated.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child attend a state nursery/kindergarten in Cluj? Yes, but teaching is in Romanian and places are limited via the spring calendar. Many expat families choose private bilingual or international options for English.
What are the fully English options? Colina International and KEY International are English-medium, and international schools (Transylvania College, Maple Bear, Researchers Schoolhouse) run English early years.
How much does it cost? State nurseries ~300 lei/month; private from ~1,500 to over 6,000 lei/month. See our price table.
When do I enroll? State units follow a spring calendar (roughly May–August). Private units admit year-round subject to places.
Can foreign residents claim child benefits? It depends on your residency and work status. Check your specific case with ANPIS / the Ministry of Labour rather than assuming.
Sources
- ISJ Cluj and Creșa pentru Educație Timpurie Cluj-Napoca (state enrollment)
- The piticluj.ro directory — institutions with languages, approach and indicative prices
- ANPIS / Ministry of Labour for benefit eligibility
See all our sources on the data sources page.
Conclusion
For an international family in Cluj, the choice is cheap state (Romanian), bilingual private (Romanian–English) or international (English-medium). Decide on language and budget, note the spring calendar for state units, and explore every nursery and kindergarten on the interactive piticluj.ro map.