Zero form
The zero form, also called "year 0", is special classes designed for children who will be enrolled the next school year in the first grade of primary school. The Polish education system is undergoing a reform program, part of which is to lower the age of starting school from 7 years to 6. At this time, children still start compulsory school at 7 years of age. For children aged 6, parents can decide whether their child will go to the first grade to learn the same things as seven-year-olds, or to the so-called “zero form”. Selecting one of these two forms is mandatory (i.e. a six year old has to attend either the “zero form" or the first grade).
The "zero form", i.e. the class preparing children for school attendance, in particular for learning literacy and numeracy skills, can be run both in kindergartens and primary schools.
Principles of financing the child’s stay in “year zero” depend on the type of institution in which it is operated - in kindergartens the stay is partially paid, while at schools it is free of charge. In both types of establishments, parents pay for the cost of meals served to children attending the zero form.
Both types of facilities provide care for the children until late in the afternoon.
The current system is temporary. Starting with the school year beginning on 1 September 2014, all six-year-olds will have to attend the first grade of primary school.
