Enrolling in a state (public) kindergarten in Cluj-Napoca is the process every parent of a 3–6 year old goes through. Unlike the nursery (creșă, 0–3), the kindergarten (grădiniță) is coordinated by the Cluj County School Inspectorate (ISJ Cluj) and by each unit individually, based on a national calendar issued by the Ministry of Education. This guide walks you through the steps, documents and tie-break criteria for the 2026–2027 school year.

Exact dates are set each year by ministerial order. Confirm the calendar on isjcj.ro before submitting your file. Below you’ll find the general stages of the process — exact dates are announced annually on isjcj.ro.

Re-enrollment vs. enrollment — the key difference

The process always has two distinct stages, in this order:

  1. Re-enrollment — for children who already attend a state kindergarten and stay in the same unit next year. It happens first, and these places fill before any new ones.
  2. Enrollment — for children starting kindergarten for the first time or transferring to another unit. It only applies to the places left free after re-enrollment.

The essential rule: if you want a specific kindergarten and your child isn’t already there, you depend on how many places remain after re-enrollment. That’s why proximity and early preparation matter so much.

Who can enroll

  1. Age: the child turns 3 by the start of the school year (junior group). Groups are: junior (3–4), middle (4–5), senior (5–6).
  2. Home address / residence in Cluj-Napoca or within the unit’s catchment area.
  3. Health: clinically healthy, with vaccinations up to date per the national schedule.

The preparatory class (age 6) is not kindergarten — it runs at school and has its own separate calendar.

Required documents — full checklist

Prepare the file at least 2 weeks before enrollment opens.

  • Enrollment application form (from the kindergarten’s office or website)
  • The child’s birth certificate (copy + original for verification)
  • ID copies of both parents / legal guardians
  • Medical certificate stating “fit for a collective setting”, from your family doctor
  • The child’s vaccination record / health booklet
  • Epidemiological clearance (issued max. 48h before the first day)
  • Proof of address / residence: utility bill, ANAF-registered rental contract or land registry extract
  • Documents for specific criteria (sibling enrolled in the unit, teacher-parent certificate, disability/SEN classification, court order, etc.), if applicable

See the detailed guide too: documents needed for nursery and kindergarten enrollment.

Enrollment calendar

Re-enrollment

  • Period: usually in spring
  • You submit a continuation request at your current kindergarten

Enrollment (free places)

  • First stage: usually in spring, right after re-enrollment
  • Second stage / redistribution: for remaining places and, if needed, at the start of the new school year
  • Results posted: on each unit’s noticeboard and website

The exact dates change from year to year, so always check the up-to-date calendar on the ISJ Cluj website before submitting your file.

Golden rule: submit on the first day of the enrollment stage with a complete file. Places at sought-after kindergartens fill fast.

Tie-break criteria

When there are more children than places, tie-breaking works in two layers:

General criteria (set nationally, the same for all units):

  1. Child with special educational needs (SEN) or a disability classification
  2. Orphan, from a placement centre or foster family
  3. Child who has a sibling already enrolled in the same unit
  4. Home address in the catchment / proximity of the kindergarten

Specific criteria (each kindergarten sets and publishes these in advance): may include a teacher-parent in the unit, distance, social circumstances, etc.

Check the posted list with the scores — any error can be appealed within the displayed deadline.

State kindergarten schedules

  • Normal schedule: ~5 hours, mornings (no lunch)
  • Extended schedule: ~10 hours, with lunch and a nap — the most sought-after by working parents
  • Weekly boarding: only at a few units

Extended-schedule places are limited. See the dedicated list: kindergartens with extended schedule in Cluj-Napoca.

Costs 2026

  • Tuition: 0 RON (state education)
  • Meal fee (extended schedule only): ~200–350 RON/month
  • Group fund / materials: variable, set by the parents’ committee
  • Realistic total: 0 RON (normal schedule) up to ~300–400 RON/month (extended schedule)

For comparison, see how much a private kindergarten costs in Cluj and the public or private nursery guide.

How to choose the right state kindergarten

  1. Proximity — under 15 minutes from home means a better score and easier logistics
  2. Schedule type — normal vs. extended, matched to your working hours
  3. Hungarian or English section, if you want one (see the dedicated guides)
  4. Group size — ask how many children per teacher
  5. Yard and facilities — outdoor space matters a lot at this age

See also: how to choose the right kindergarten and Hungarian-language kindergartens.

Plan B if you don’t get a place

  1. Waiting list — it moves in the first weeks as withdrawals appear
  2. Apply to a unit with more free places, even if it’s not your first choice
  3. September redistribution — reapply for the remaining places
  4. An affordable private kindergarten as a backup

See the full guide: no place at the state nursery? waiting lists and alternatives.

FAQ

When does state kindergarten enrollment start in 2026? Re-enrollment usually starts in spring, and enrollment for free places follows immediately. Exact dates are published on isjcj.ro.

Do I need a Cluj-Napoca address? An address or residence within the unit’s catchment earns points in tie-breaking, but you can still enroll from another area — for the remaining places.

Which comes first, re-enrollment or enrollment? Always re-enrollment (children already enrolled), then enrollment for free places.

Can I choose the extended schedule? Yes, but places are limited and fill fast. Note the option on your application and submit early.

From what age does a child start kindergarten? The junior group, if the child turns 3 by the start of the school year. See from what age nursery and kindergarten.

Conclusion

Three simple rules: prepare a complete file early, understand the re-enrollment → enrollment order, and submit on the first day of the enrollment stage. You’ll find every state and private kindergarten in Cluj-Napoca on the piticluj.ro interactive map.