How to open a nursery
A nursery receives children under 3 years old, during the period corresponding to the impediment of the parents or individuals who exercise the parental responsibilities.
These establishments aim to provide individual and personalised care, enhancing the development of children and supporting parents to fulfil their obligations.
In order to receive children up to 5 years of age, the nursery school activity must be licenced, and these establishments are authorized by the Ministry of Education.
Learn here which steps to follow to open a nursery.
Licence for use
The licence for use (or construction licence) is a general validation of the property as to the conditions, location, functional suitability and compliance with fire safety rules and health and hygiene standards.
This licence can be applied for in the competent local city council.
Consult the step by step guide for more information.
Operating Licence
The operating licence is the process that legally validates your nursery.
It is granted after an inspection that assesses the adequacy of human resources, the draft of internal regulations, the existence of equipment and facilities appropriate to the activity, the applicant's contributory good standing and the suitability of all those involved.
Licensing applications can be made on this portal.
Consult the step by step guide for more information.
How to open a nursery step by step
Step 1: Develop a business plan
The business plan is not mandatory, but it is essential for your project to be successful. Do not forget to include:
- Analysis of the local needs
- To decide on the legal nature (company, association, IPSS)
- Services provided
- Marketing strategy and promotion
- Financial Plan - costs and revenues
- Human resources
- Space plan
- Main risks
Step 2: Premises and licence for use
The nursery can operate on owned or rented property and always requires a licence for use. Submit the request to the competent city council, which, in its turn, will involve the necessary entities:
- Social Security Institute
- National Civil Protection Authority
- Competent health authority
This inspection evaluates:
- Conditions and location of the establishment
- Functional suitability of the premises
- Compliance with fire safety rules
- Compliance with the hygiene and health standards
The waiting time between the inspection request and the approval may take up to 45 days, corresponding to 15 days until the inspection plus 30 days for the approval.
Equipment specific to the nursery activity, such as children washbasins or changing tables, may be added after this inspection.
Step 3: Internal Regulation
The internal regulation shall be binding and shall include:
- Conditions for admission of users;
- Care and services to be provided;
- Rights and duties;
- Operating hours;
Pricing or criteria for determining family co-participations.
Step 4: Human Resources
The hiring of professionals of a nursery follows clear and mandatory rules for obtaining the operating licence. At the bottom of this page you will find an Administrative Decree on the Operation of Nurseries that explains how to build your team.
Before applying for the licence, you need to have a staff plan, with the characteristics of each position.
It is advisable that, before the licensing request, the whole recruitment process is already done, with pre-agreement of the contract. When applying for licensing, you should submit the criminal record for all professionals who are part of your team.
Step 5: Beginning of Ativity
The licensing application must be carried out on behalf of the company or management entity, and it is therefore necessary for it to be duly regulated at the time of the application.
Create your company here
Open your IPSS here
Step 6: Request of the Operating Licence
The Request of the Operating Licence can be submitted online or in person in the district Social Security centres.
The waiting time between the inspection request and the approval may take up to 45 days, corresponding to 15 days until the inspection plus 30 days for the approval.
The following documents are required to submit this request:
- Copy of the applicants’ citizen card
- Copy of the tax identification card
- Simple extract of the entries’ content in force in the commercial registry or the access code to the respective permanent certificate
- Copy of the articles of association in the case of an IPSS
- Criminal record certificate
- Statement of the applicant(s)' contribution status or authorisation for the competent authorities to consult it
- Proof of ownership of premises or lease agreement
- Licence or authorization for use (see step 2)
- Plan of staff with their academic qualifications and functional content
- Draft of the contract to be entered with the users
- Franchising documents, if applicable
All the detailed information on how to open a nursery is available in the Practical Guide for the Licensing of the Social Support Establishments Activity
The rates in force can be consulted on the Social Security portal.
Step 7: Insurance and Complaints Book
The following are mandatory:
- Fire insurance (for building units and common parts of buildings on horizontal property);
- School insurance;
- Complaints Book - consult the Complaints Book Explanatory Guide.
