Enrolling a child in a nursery (creșă, ages 0–3) or kindergarten (grădiniță, ages 3–6) in Romania requires several documents and, in most cases, a written application addressed to the institution’s management or to the local council. This guide gives you an adaptable template, the full document checklist, and deadline information specific to Cluj-Napoca.
⚠️ Important notice: The application template and document list in this article are provided as a general guide — written based on common Romanian administrative practice, not taken from any official source. Many institutions have their own standard forms; if one exists, use that instead. Always verify the current document list and any institution-specific forms directly with the secretariat of your chosen institution before submitting your application.
Required documents
The list varies slightly by institution, but you will generally need:
Mandatory documents (state nursery and kindergarten):
- Completed and signed enrolment application (use the template below)
- Copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Copy of one parent’s / legal guardian’s ID card
- Medical certificate from the family doctor confirming the child is healthy and fit for a group setting
- Copy of the vaccination booklet or proof of completed vaccinations per the national schedule
Commonly requested additional documents:
- Employment certificate from one or both parents (may affect priority ranking for state nursery places)
- Marriage certificate or, in the case of divorce, the court order specifying custody
- Copy of both parents’ IDs if both are named in the application
Private institutions typically also require:
- A GDPR data processing consent form (signed at the secretariat)
- Optionally, a brief child profile form (allergies, routines, language spoken at home)
Note: State nurseries in Cluj-Napoca fall under the local council (Primăria Cluj-Napoca). State kindergartens are coordinated by ISJ Cluj (the county school inspectorate) and follow the Ministry of Education’s methodology. Always request the official document list directly from the institution’s secretariat — it may be updated annually.
Application template for kindergarten
Fill in the template below with your own details. If the institution has its own standard form, use that instead — the free-form letter is useful when no standard form exists.
ENROLMENT APPLICATION
To,
The Management of [Name of kindergarten / nursery]
Address: [Institution address]
I, [Full name of parent / guardian], ID card series ___ no. _______, personal identification number (CNP) _________________, residing in Cluj-Napoca, str. _________________ no. ___, ap. ___, phone _________________, email _________________,
as [mother / father / legal guardian] of the minor
[Child’s full name], born on _____________, CNP _________________,
hereby request the enrolment of my child in the _________________ group (age ___), starting _____________ .
I confirm that I have read the institution’s Internal Regulations and undertake to comply with them.
I attach the following documents:
- Copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Copy of ID card
- Medical certificate
- Copy of vaccination booklet
- (any other requested documents)
Date: _____________
Signature: _____________
Application template for nursery (Cluj-Napoca City Hall)
State nurseries in Cluj-Napoca are managed by the Social Public Service (SPAS) of the City Hall. The application is submitted at the SPAS office or, depending on the nursery, directly at the unit’s secretariat. Use the same format as above with a few adjustments:
- Addressee: Primăria Municipiului Cluj-Napoca — Serviciul Public de Asistență Socială (SPAS) or the nursery’s name if you have its direct address
- State the child’s age in months (nurseries accept children from approximately 3–4 months up to 3 years old)
- Include the employment certificate if you have one — it counts towards priority ranking
Where and when to submit in Cluj-Napoca
State nurseries:
Applications are typically accepted in spring (March–May) for September places, with a supplementary autumn session for remaining spots. Monitor announcements on the Cluj-Napoca City Hall website or contact the nursery directly.
State kindergartens:
The Ministry of Education runs a national enrolment session, usually in March, via the ISJ Cluj online platform. Follow the ISJ Cluj calendar and make sure to apply within the deadline — late applications are only considered if places remain after the main round.
Private nurseries and kindergartens:
These do not follow the ministerial calendar. Each institution sets its own deadline — some accept applications year-round, others have waiting lists for September. We recommend contacting your preferred institution 6–12 months in advance.
Practical tips
- Keep a copy. Retain a copy of the submitted application (with a receipt stamp or email confirmation) for your records.
- Both parents’ signatures. Some private institutions request signatures from both parents even if only one submits the application. Check in advance.
- Medical certificates have an expiry date. Usually 30 days — don’t obtain it too far in advance of the submission date.
- Vaccinations must be up to date for group-setting admission (Law 123/2023). If you have a special situation (medical contraindication), a specialist’s certificate usually resolves the issue.
- Browse the piticluj.ro map to compare all nurseries and kindergartens in Cluj before deciding where to apply.
FAQ
Can I apply to more than one institution at the same time?
For state kindergartens, the ISJ platform allows enrolment at only one institution during the main session. For private institutions you can apply to as many as you like simultaneously.
What happens if there is no place at my first choice?
State institutions redistribute available places after the first session. At private institutions you can remain on the waiting list or apply elsewhere.
Does the application have to be submitted in person or can it be sent online?
It depends on the institution. State kindergartens use the Ministry of Education’s platform; state nurseries and private institutions generally accept both in-person submission and scanned copies by email. Check with the specific secretariat.
How long does the approval process take?
For state institutions, the outcome is communicated at the end of the allocation session (a few weeks). Private institutions typically reply within 1–5 working days.