Raising children in Slovenia

International schools in Slovenia

International schools offer a challenging educational curriculum for students, from preschool through to the secondary level, and are known for their high quality education, should your child continue to university.

Contact the school of your choice directly for more information on curriculum, admissions, and tuition fees. Most schools have comprehensive websites containing information on their programmes.

Childcare in Slovenia

Pre-school care is available for young children, generally from age one until they are of age to start school. Pre-school can be public or private, depending on your preference. Public care is financed from the community and government, with parents contributing based on their means. Private care is funded wholly by the parents, and is therefore at a higher cost than the public care.

Pre-school care can vary in time and duration, and it includes play and educational opportunities for children, as well as meals and rest times. Most care programmes are held in the Slovene language.

Families can also choose to have an au-pair, or nanny, who either lives with the family or is based outside the house. Au-pairs are popular in Slovenia, and expat families can find English-speaking au-pairs, if they prefer.

During summer breaks or school holidays, children can participate in summer camps or community programmes, offering social, educational, and sporting opportunities.

Activities with children

Slovenia is a great country to explore with children, especially if your family enjoys the outdoors. In winter months, skiing is popular, and in summer, consider visiting scenic Lake Bled for swimming and hiking, or visit the mountains for family outings. The coastal areas are also very beautiful and relaxing for families to visit together. The country has many parks, swimming areas, cinemas, and sporting facilities, which are great for children.

Slovenia is very child-friendly, with children being welcomed in most restaurants, and child-friendly foods such as pizza, pasta, and sandwiches are easy to find. It is also a safe country, where parents can feel comfortable letting their children play outside.

Adoption policies in Slovenia

Adoption policies regarding Slovenian children are stringent, and are overseen by the Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Affairs. International adoptions are only allowed if no Slovenians are interested in adopting. As there are many families and couples waiting to adopt, this means the chances of an adoption by a non-Slovene family are extremely small. However, couples can legally adopt children from a partner's previous relationship, if they wish.

Useful links:

British International School Ljubljana
QSI International School (American)