Ukraine allowed to open kindergartens in residential and public buildings

The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine has approved new state building standards (DBN) V.2.2-4:2026 “Preschool Education Institutions”, which change the approach to the design and construction of kindergartens. The new rules should make preschool education more accessible and allow the opening of new institutions even in residential and public buildings.

The document provides for the abandonment of a single standard that was previously applied to all kindergartens. From now on, the design will be carried out taking into account the real needs of a particular institution – the number of children, their age, work format and the characteristics of the educational process.

One of the key innovations is the possibility of creating small kindergartens in residential and public buildings. These are institutions designed for up to 40 children, as well as special preschool institutions with a capacity of up to 24 pupils. Simplified design requirements have been introduced for them, which should contribute to the opening of a larger number of kindergartens in different areas of cities and communities.

In addition, the new building codes provide for more flexible use of premises. One space will be able to perform several functions at once, depending on the needs of the institution. The number and area of ​​group rooms, sports play areas, playgrounds and other premises will be determined individually for each project, and not according to a single template.

The new rules will also allow the creation of preschool institutions at enterprises, institutions and organizations. This may become an additional opportunity for parents to combine work and childcare, and for employers to develop corporate social infrastructure.

It is expected that the implementation of the new DBN will contribute to the development of the preschool education network, the creation of more places in kindergartens and their increased accessibility, especially in communities where there is a shortage of such institutions.