Charter of Operation

Childcare centre operation period

• Childcare Centres operate from September 1 through July 31 each year
• Childcare Centres operate from 7:00 to 16:00

Childcare Centres do not operate:

• From August 1 through 31
• From December 24 through January 6 (Christmas holidays)
• From Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday (Easter holidays)
• On public holidays

Arrival - departure of children

• Children may arrive between 7:00 and 9:00, bearing special cases in mind
• Children may depart after the midday meal, if parents so desire, or by 16:00 at the latest
• Children may depart with a parent, guardian or designated adult who has written authorisation

Fees

• The Athens Municipal Creche Administrative Board determines fees
• Parents must pay fees within the first five days of each month. Fees are compulsory for the entire period starting from the date of the child's registration through July 31
• Fees which have been paid are not reimbursed in the case of the child being withdrawn from care

Withdrawal of children

Children are withdrawn in the case where:

• The child has a serious contagious illness. The child may return to the centre following documented treatment and certification by a pediatrician
• The child or guardian files a request which states the reason for withdrawal
• The child does not attend the childcare centre for more than 30 consecutive days without due reason, and following written notification by the institution
• Parents consistently fail to comply with the programme and operational conditions of the childcare centre
• The child reaches the legal age for school registration (at the end of the school year)
• Parents do not pay the requisite fees for a period of more than 20 days without a serious reason, once they have been informed of the amount owed

If a child is withdrawn (except in the case of illness), they lose the right to priority registration for the following school period.

Participation of parents

The active participation of parents is considered essential to the efficient operation of childcare centres, therefore, attendance at parents' meetings - which aim to raise awareness of current educational and psychological issues - is obligatory.