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English in kindergartens: what will change from September 1, 2026?
Ukraine continues to reform its preschool education system by introducing early foreign language training at the state level. Starting in the new school year, English will become part of the mandatory curriculum for older groups in kindergartens. Learn more about the new requirements for preschool education institutions, staffing changes, and resources for teachers
Ukraine is taking an important step towards early foreign language education. From the beginning of the new school year, older preschool children will learn English in all preschool education institutions in the country, according to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The innovation applies to both public and private kindergartens, and its implementation will be accompanied by personnel and methodological changes.
Who will teach the children, what materials will the teachers use, and how will the state support this process? We will tell you more in this article.
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Mandatory English language learning in kindergartens: for whom and on what basis?
The regulatory basis for these changes is two key laws — “On the Use of the English Language in Ukraine” and “On Preschool Education”. These laws stipulate that from September 1, 2026, English must be integrated into the educational process for children aged five to six. Accordingly, English classes will become a mandatory part of the curriculum in the older groups of preschool institutions.
It should be emphasized that the requirement applies to preschool institutions of all types and forms of ownership. This means that municipal, state, and private kindergartens must equally provide older preschool children with access to English language learning as part of the educational process.
The position of English teacher in kindergarten: new staffing standards
To implement this innovation at the staffing level, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine amended the Model Staffing Standards for Preschool Institutions back in 2025. The relevant order No. 844 of June 12, 2025, was registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on June 26, 2025. The document establishes the possibility of introducing the position of English teacher into the staffing table of kindergartens.
The staffing load is calculated at a rate of 0.25 for each group of older preschool children. Thus, preschool institutions receive a clear guideline for staffing, and English teachers receive an official position in the structure of the preschool institution.
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Methodological materials for teachers: how to conduct English classes?
Preparation for the introduction of English in kindergartens is not limited to staffing decisions. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Linguist publishing house, has developed a special Methodological Guide for Teachers. This document contains practical recommendations for planning and conducting English lessons in older groups.
The guide is intended to be a daily tool for teachers who will be working with preschoolers. The recommendations take into account the age characteristics of five- and six-year-old children, which allows lessons to be structured with an emphasis on play and communication.
Platform for the professional development of preschool educators
In addition to methodological materials, a national online platform for professional development has been created for educators. Its content has been developed in collaboration with the British Council and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, ensuring compliance with international standards for early language learning.
The platform has a specialized section called “Preschool Educators,” which includes five methodological sections and 49 teaching materials with a total duration of 30 hours. All resources are focused on practical application and adapted to working with preschool children. Thanks to this approach, preschool teachers and English teachers will be able to systematically prepare for the new school year and conduct classes with confidence.
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Reminder! Ukraine is tightening control over school attendance to ensure every child's right to education. Thanks to the new rules, information about absenteeism will be shared between schools, the police, and social services much faster. What sanctions are imposed on parents if their child does not attend school without a valid reason — find out at the link.
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