The kindergartens that close in summer or reduce the working program are a problem for the parents who continue working in the period. A study conducted by Constanța Popescu for the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” shows the rights to work and to economic activity of parents with small children are now negatively affected by the shortened summer program of state kindergartens.

According to the author, the situation should be remedied as a matter of urgency at a time when the birth rate declined by over 15% during the past five years, the employers complain they do not have enough employees and many parents cannot work in summer to maintain their children. As a result, the closing of kindergartens in summer is detrimental to children’s rights.

To avoid such situations, the author suggests that the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research should issue an order to modify the program of kindergartens by introducing a mixed system for providing leave to educators and employees. Specifically, a part of the leave could be provided simultaneously in August, while the rest in the course of the year.

“Some of the specialized kindergartens and several kindergartens “on guard” in each district should work continuously, for 12 months a year. The kindergartens working for 12 hours a day should have a continuous yearly program as these have educators working in two shifts,” says the study.

According to Constanța Popescu, this system is beneficial to educators who will enjoy guaranteed leave in summer (August) and another part of the leave whenever they need.

The new regulations should also envision an additional schedule for state kindergartens before public holidays, with the working program being shortened by at most one hour.

The author argues the salaries of educators consist of state budget funds, of taxes paid by private individuals and legal entities and it is thus important that the kindergarten services enable the employees and employers to work further.