How We Did (not) Buy a Ready-Made Kindergarten – and Why We Now Run a Children's Group (Childcare center)

"Buy a kindergarten, it’s a turnkey project!" – it sounded almost like a dream. And also a little like a trap. What does it take to build a kindergarten from scratch, why did we choose to run a children’s group instead of a classic preschool – and how is a children’s group different from a state kindergarten or the now-defunct nurseries? Our story is a bit punk, but that's exactly why it's worth reading.

🧩 The First Sentence That Changed Everything

One day, a friend came to us and casually said:
"Girls, I have a great tip. A kindergarten is for sale. A ready-made project. Clients, premises, everything is running. Just buy it!"

It sounded like a dream. Someone had already done the hard part – started the kindergarten, got it going, enrolled the kids. We would just take over and continue. Open the door, smile at the kids, and follow the routine.

But reality wasn’t rosy. It was… well, more like very grey.

🎭 And Now Without the Sugarcoating: We Bought a Pig in a Poke

The "ready-made project" turned out to be just a sign on the door and a few worn-out stuffed animals. The paperwork, which was supposed to be in order, wasn’t. The facilities? Barely met the minimum. Operational stuff? Let’s just say "improvised", which is a nice way of saying the kindergarten was half-running under the table.

It was like buying an espresso machine and realizing it only makes lukewarm sludge. But since we had a choice – give up or turn it around and do it properly – we chose the second path. Head first, but with heart.

🛠 From the Ground Up – Honestly, Humanly, and in Our Own Way

Instead of a "fast business", we started building a real place for kids. With our own approach, our own team, and our own vision. Not a copy, but an original. A kindergarten where we would want to leave our own children.

And that’s how our children’s group was born. Not as a backup plan. But as a conscious choice. And it was worth it.

📜 When Nurseries End and Something New Begins

To understand why we chose a children’s group, we need to go back in time for a moment.

In the 1990s, nurseries still operated in the Czech Republic – facilities for very young children, usually from 6 months to 3 years old. They were mostly run by cities or hospitals, and the care was purely medical – mainly hygiene, food, and sleep. Children were “under supervision”, but there wasn’t much room for individual attention or personality development.

Over time, nurseries started disappearing. Partly due to lack of funding, and partly because of changing social habits – parents started staying home longer, private preschools emerged... and in 2013, nurseries were officially abolished as a type of childcare service.

This, of course, created a huge gap – parents of children under three suddenly had very few options if they wanted to return to work. And that’s when children’s groups were introduced.

What Is a Children’s Group ? A Czech Type of Childcare Center

The term “children’s group” is a concept specific to Czech legislation, created as a more flexible alternative to traditional kindergartens. While there is no exact English equivalent, the closest terms would be “childcare center” or “daycare center” for children. A children’s group is a modern and flexible alternative to traditional nurseries and kindergartens. It was established under Act No. 247/2014 Coll. and is intended for children from 1 year old up to the start of compulsory schooling.

It allows both small private providers and larger organizations – schools, municipalities, NGOs, and companies – to run it. The key is the focus on small groups, individual approach, safe environment, and partnership with parents.

What Are the Main Advantages of a Childcare center?

• ✅ Age range: from 1 to 6 years (including the final preschool year)
  
• ✅ Preschool education: Children’s groups can officially provide preschool education – just like kindergartens
  
• ✅ Small group size: max. 24 children per group, often fewer
  
• ✅ Individual adaptation and care – every child has room to be themselves
  
• ✅ Flexible attendance: full-day, half-day, or partial attendance options
  
• ✅ Focus on relationships and safety – less bureaucracy, more space for real work with children

🏫 What’s the Difference Between a Children’s Group, State Kindergarten, Private Kindergarten, and the Now-Abolished Nurseries?

Even many parents are confused by this – so let’s explain it simply and clearly:

Nurseries (abolished in 2013) were for kids from 6 months to around 3 years. Mostly run by cities or hospitals. Focused mainly on care – hygiene, food, sleep. There was little to no focus on development or individual approach. They were officially discontinued without a replacement – which is when the need for a new type of care emerged.

Children’s groups are a modern and friendly answer to this need. They’re for children from 1 year old up to school age – including the final preschool year. They operate in smaller groups, with an individual approach and emphasis on safety and relationships. They can be run by the state, municipalities, companies, or private individuals. And importantly – they can officially provide preschool education, just like kindergartens.

State kindergarten is the classic "preschool" most of us know from childhood. It’s free, funded by the municipality or region, and usually accepts children from 3 to 6 years. Kids are educated according to the national curriculum. Attendance becomes compulsory from age 5.

🎒 And Why Did We Choose This?

For us, the children’s group wasn’t just a "makeshift solution". It was a conscious decision. It makes sense – as moms, as people, as professionals.

• We can give children truly individual care.
• We don’t need to log every hour in a binder. We can spend that time with the kids.
• We don’t need them to read at age three. We need them to know they are loved, safe, and respected.

And more than that – we can guide them from toddlerhood to preschool age. We build relationships that have space to grow. And that is priceless.