In short: at the private institutions in Cluj that publish one, the enrolment fee runs from 150 to 650 RON, paid once when you sign the contract. Some also charge an annual re-enrolment fee, between 200 and 850 RON, for families who stay from one year to the next. The fee is not part of the monthly rate and is usually non-refundable.
It is the cost parents find out about last — typically at signing, when the decision has already been made.
What the enrolment fee is, and why it exists
It is a one-off amount paid at enrolment, covering administration of the file, reserving the place in the group and, at some institutions, the child’s starter kit. It is not part of the monthly fee and in most cases is not returned if you withdraw — including if you withdraw before your child actually starts.
A few institutions use a different name for the same thing: a “place reservation fee” is, in practice, the same.
What the enrolment fee costs in Cluj
The table contains only institutions that publish the fee or told us directly. Nothing is estimated.
| Institution | Enrolment fee | Re-enrolment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grădinița ELSA | 150 RON | — | own website |
| Grădinița Seventh Heaven | 150 RON (non-refundable) | — | own website |
| La Ursuleți | 350 RON (place reservation) | — | own website |
| Tiny Hearts | 400 RON | 200 RON | confirmed by the institution |
| Grădinița Millennium | 500 RON | — | own website |
| Abbie Forest School | 500 RON | — | own website |
| Magic Land One | 500 RON | 850 RON | own website |
| Prichiland | 500 RON / year | 250 RON / year | own website |
| Hand in Hand Montessori | 650 RON | — | own website |
| LittleMe Early Learning Center | 650 RON | — | own website |
Two observations:
- Re-enrolment isn’t always cheaper. At Magic Land One the re-enrolment fee (850 RON) is higher than the enrolment fee (500 RON). At Tiny Hearts and Prichiland it’s the reverse — half the original.
- Most institutions don’t publish it at all. The ten above are the exception. If you can’t find the figure on the website, ask on the phone before you visit.
What the first month actually costs
A worked example using real figures from a single case — Hand in Hand Montessori, kindergarten, short programme:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrolment fee (one-off) | 650 RON |
| Monthly fee, short programme | 2,300 RON |
| First month total | 2,950 RON |
So the first month costs nearly 30% more than the ones that follow. Worth budgeting separately.
For verified monthly fees at the other institutions, see our full fee table.
Do state kindergartens charge an enrolment fee?
No. State preschool education is free; enrolment at state kindergartens follows the calendar and criteria set by the Ministry of Education and applied by the Cluj County School Inspectorate. What does come up in practice at a state kindergarten is the group fund — a voluntary contribution we covered separately in our guide to the group fund — and, where extended hours exist, a meal fee.
What to ask before you pay
- Is it refundable? If so, under what conditions and by what date.
- What does it cover? Materials, uniform, starter kit, insurance — or just the paperwork.
- Is it annual or one-off? Check whether a re-enrolment fee exists and how much it is.
- What happens if you delay starting? Does the place stay reserved, or is the fee lost?
- Is there a sibling discount? Several Cluj institutions offer 10% for a second child.
Get the answers in writing, in the contract or by email. A non-refundable fee agreed verbally is the easiest source of misunderstanding.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the enrolment fee at a private kindergarten in Cluj? At the institutions that publish one, between 150 and 650 RON, paid once at signing. Most private institutions don’t publish this figure on their website.
Is the enrolment fee refunded if I withdraw? Usually not. Several institutions describe it explicitly as non-refundable. Ask for the conditions in writing before paying.
What is a re-enrolment fee? An annual amount paid by families continuing into the next school year. It can be lower than the initial fee, but not always — at one Cluj institution it is higher.
Is there an enrolment fee at a state kindergarten? No. State kindergarten is free. Group-fund contributions and a meal fee for extended hours may apply.
Sources
- The official websites of the listed institutions — the exact link is on each institution page
- Email replies received from institutions, September 2026 verification round
- Cluj County School Inspectorate — enrolment in state preschool education
- The piticluj.ro directory — all 339 listed nurseries and kindergartens
- Our data sources — the full list
Conclusion
The enrolment fee adds 150–650 RON to your first month, and re-enrolment can come back every year. Ask about it in the first conversation, not at signing, and get the refund terms in writing. Verified monthly fees are in our fee table, and every institution is on the piticluj.ro interactive map.