You live in a commune around Cluj (Florești, Apahida, Baciu, Feleacu, Gilău) and wonder whether to take your child to a unit in the commune or one in Cluj-Napoca? It depends on a few factors: proximity to home and to work, the commute, availability of places, cost and language. A useful detail: the proximity criterion also considers the workplace, and residence counts as domicile. Below you’ll find the decision factors and how to choose.

The decision factors

  • Proximity to home vs. to work. If you work in Cluj, a unit near your job may be more practical; if you spend a lot of time in the commune, a local one.
  • The commute and traffic. Getting in/out of Cluj can be busy in the morning — work out the real time.
  • Availability of places. In growing communes (Florești, Apahida, Baciu) state places fill up fast; see nursery and kindergarten places in Florești.
  • Cost. At state units you pay little (the food contribution at nursery); at private, more, regardless of the locality.
  • Language. If you want a Hungarian group or an English programme, the offer is richer in Cluj.
  • Continuity. Where the child will go to school after kindergarten.

How the tiebreak criteria count

For proximity, what counts is the child’s domicile/residence or a parent’s workplace. So if you work in Cluj, you may have an advantage at a Cluj unit even if you live in the commune. Residence (viză de flotant) counts as domicile — see temporary residence at enrollment and the tiebreak criteria.

By commune

  • Florești — heavy pressure on places; many families commute. See places in Florești.
  • Apahida — kindergartens and a public nursery; see Apahida.
  • Baciu — new kindergartens and a first public nursery; see Baciu.
  • Feleacu and Gilău — Feleacu without a public nursery, Gilău with its own; see Feleacu and Gilău.

Practical tip

Don’t pick a single option — list options from both the commune and Cluj (where the criteria allow), apply early and keep a plan B. Compare the units concretely on the map.

Frequently asked questions

Is a kindergarten in Cluj or the commune better? It depends on proximity (home vs. work), the commute, places, cost and language. There’s no single answer — compare the factors for your situation.

Can I enrol my child at a Cluj unit if I live in the commune? Yes. The proximity criterion also considers the workplace, and residence counts as domicile. Confirm the local rules with the unit.

Where is it harder to get a place? In the fast-growing communes (Florești, Apahida, Baciu) the pressure is high at state units. Apply early and list several options.

Does cost matter? At state units the cost is small regardless of the locality (the food contribution at nursery); at private, it depends on the unit, not the commune.

How do I choose? Compare proximity, the commute, places, cost and language; list options from both places and apply early.

Sources

  • Order ME no. 4018/2024 — the tiebreak criteria (proximity of domicile/residence/workplace)
  • The piticluj.ro directory — units in Cluj and the neighbouring communes
  • Our commune guides (Apahida, Baciu, Feleacu-Gilău, Florești)

See all our sources on the data sources page.

Conclusion

The choice between Cluj and the commune depends on proximity, the commute, places, cost and language — and on the fact that your workplace and residence count in the criteria. List options from both places, apply early, and compare everything on the interactive piticluj.ro map.