In Cluj-Napoca, the vast majority of families have both parents working full-time. The extended program (PP — extended program) is the de facto standard in both state-run kindergartens and almost all private ones.

What is extended program (PP) vs normal program (PN)

Normal program (PN): 4-5 hours, 8:00-12:00 or 7:30-12:30. No meals, no nap. Exception in 2026.

Extended program (PP — extended program): 10-10.5 hours, 7:00/7:30 - 17:00/17:30. Includes:

  • breakfast
  • two structured morning activities
  • lunch
  • nap/rest (13:00-15:00)
  • snack
  • optional afternoon activities
  • outdoor play until parents arrive

Advantages of the extended program

  1. Aligned with work schedules
  2. Balanced meals provided
  3. Sleep routine
  4. More activities (English, sports, dance, robotics)
  5. Extended socialization

Potential disadvantages

  1. The child stays a long time (10 hours)
  2. Less time with parents
  3. Higher risk of illness
  4. Forced naps can be a problem for children over 5

List of public PP kindergartens

  • Grădinița Albă ca Zăpada — Ion Creangă 4-6 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Albinuța — Grigore Alexandrescu 27
  • Grădinița Așchiuță — 4 locations
  • Grădinița Bambi — Moților 58 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Buburuza — Mehedinți 19
  • Grădinița Căsuța Poveștilor — București 22 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Degețica — Târnavelor 4
  • Grădinița Dumbrava Minunată — Grigore Alexandrescu 47 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Floare de Iris — Oașului 129
  • Grădinița Licurici — Arinilor 2-4 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Lizuca — Cojocnei 93-99
  • Grădinița Lumea Copiilor — Septimiu Albini 91 (RO/HU/DE)
  • Grădinița Mămăruța — 21 Decembrie 1989 nr. 124 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Mica Sirenă — Alexandru Vlahuță 59 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Micul Prinț — Aleea Herculane 13
  • Grădinița Neghiniță — Corneliu Coposu 20 (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița Parfum de Tei — Decebal 41
  • Grădinița Poienița — Alverna 63
  • Grădinița Rază de Soare — Moților 135
  • Grădinița Trenulețul Veseliei — Câmpeni 3C (RO/HU)
  • Grădinița UBB — Universității 7-9 (RO/EN)
  • Grădinița Universul Copiilor — Moldoveanu 5-7
  • Grădinița Zâna Zorilor — Sighișoarei 15
  • Grădinița Specială — Aleea Borșa 2

Private kindergartens with PP

Practically all of them. Maple Bear, ELF, Helen, Camigo, BioBee, Țăndărica, Magic Land One, Patricia/TEI, Spectrum, Transylvania College, Kinderland.

By neighborhood

Mănăștur — Mămăruța, Albinuța, Dumbrava Minunată, Mica Sirenă. Mărăști — Lizuca, Albă ca Zăpada, Așchiuță. Gheorgheni — Parfum de Tei, Universul Copiilor, Buburuza. Bună Ziua — Maple Bear, BioBee, Patricia/TEI, Camigo (private). Zorilor — Zâna Zorilor, Micul Prinț. Centru (Center) — UBB (RO/EN), Lumea Copiilor (RO/HU/DE). Iris — Floare de Iris, Trenulețul Veseliei. Grigorescu — Poienița, Bambi, Rază de Soare.

See also how to choose a kindergarten.

A typical PP day

  • 7:00-8:30 — arrival, free play, breakfast
  • 8:30-9:00 — morning meeting
  • 9:00-10:00 — first structured activity
  • 10:00-10:30 — snack
  • 10:30-11:30 — second activity
  • 11:30-12:30 — outdoor play
  • 12:30-13:00 — lunch
  • 13:00-15:00 — nap/rest
  • 15:00-15:30 — wake-up, snack
  • 15:30-16:30 — optional activities or free play
  • 16:30-17:30 — free play, departure

Cost: PP vs PN

Public: PN = free. PP = only the meal (150-300 RON/month). Private: almost all are PP, 2,500-6,500 RON/month.

See also how much a private kindergarten costs and public or private nursery.

Complementary solutions after PP

  1. After-school until 18:30/19:00 — Magic Land One, Patricia/TEI, Maple Bear
  2. Hourly nanny — 35-50 RON/hour in Cluj 2026
  3. Grandparents or relatives
  4. Flexible/hybrid schedule at the employer

Frequently asked questions

What if I arrive after 17:30? Public: tension with staff. Private: 30-50 RON/15 min.

Does the child have to nap? Public: yes, lying quietly on a mat. Private: many offer alternative quiet activities.

Summer holidays? Public: July-August, “duty kindergarten” on rotation. Private: 2-4 weeks break in August.

Can I switch from PN to PP? Only if a spot is available. Request in writing.

My 5-year-old doesn’t want to nap anymore? Talk to the teachers. Many accept alternative activities.

Conclusion

PP is the standard in Cluj. Your choice isn’t between PN and PP, but between which kindergarten with PP fits your neighborhood. Open the interactive map at piticluj.ro.