How much do private nursery and preschool cost in 2026? Fees, nanny and comparison

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

Private nursery fees in Poland are most commonly 2,000 PLN/month (typically 1,700 ‑ 2,250 PLN/month), compared with 800 PLN/month for a private preschool. A nanny usually charges 25 PLN/h.

Childcare is the largest regular expense after housing for many families. There are usually three options: a nursery (up to age 3), preschool (from age 3) and a nanny, who can replace either one. Each is priced differently: nurseries and preschools charge monthly fees, while nannies charge by the hour. Below, we compare prices from private facility price lists and nanny adverts collected in our price index, converting them into comparable figures.

Fees at public, municipal facilities are set by local government resolutions, and parents may be eligible for subsidies. We do not collect these amounts in the index, so this article covers only private facilities and childcare at home.

How much does a private nursery cost?

The median fee at a private nursery is 2,000 PLN/month. Half of the facilities charge between 1,700 ‑ 2,250 PLN/month, while the cheapest we found charges 1,500 PLN/month and the most expensive 2,600 PLN/month. Over a year, assuming payment for 12 months, this comes to about PLN 24,000.

The fee covers childcare during the nursery’s standard opening hours. Meals, charged at a daily rate, and a one-off registration fee are almost always paid separately. Many nurseries also charge fees for months when the child is ill or away on holiday with their parents, while some charge for all 12 months of the year, with no summer break. It is worth checking this in the contract before enrolling.

A note on the data: facilities in Wrocław account for most of the nursery price lists we have collected. Prices there are among the highest, so fees in smaller towns and cities may be below the median. We do not yet publish nursery prices for individual cities.

How much does a private preschool cost?

A private preschool is considerably cheaper than a private nursery: the median fee is 800 PLN/month, with a typical range of 765 ‑ 875 PLN/month. However, prices vary widely, from 650 PLN/month at the cheapest facilities to 2,000 PLN/month at the most expensive. Standard annual fees come to about PLN 9,600.

Why does it cost less than a nursery? Preschool children require fewer carers per child than babies and one-year-olds, and staff are a facility’s largest expense. This is why even in the same building, at a facility combining a nursery and preschool, the nursery group costs more.

The price of preschool is influenced most by the number of hours attended (a stay until midday can be considerably cheaper than ten hours a day), meals (sometimes included and sometimes charged separately) and additional activities, such as foreign languages, music and movement classes or swimming. Facilities with their own programmes, such as Montessori or bilingual preschools, are usually at the upper end of the range.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

How much does a nanny charge per hour?

A daytime nanny usually charges 25 PLN/h, with half of the rates falling between 25 ‑ 35 PLN/h. The lowest rates we found are 20 PLN/h, while the highest are 45 PLN/h. Rates are higher in large cities than in smaller localities.

Rates increase in three situations. Overnight or weekend care costs about 53 PLN/h. A professional nanny with qualifications and a regular schedule charges about 43 PLN/h. A nanny usually adds about 7.50 PLN/h for each additional child in their care.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

How much does a full-time nanny cost?

At a rate of 25 PLN/h and 160 hours per month (8 hours a day, 20 working days), the cost is about PLN 4,000, with a typical range of PLN 4,000 ‑ 5,600. Adverts in large cities that quote a monthly rate for a full-time nanny give a figure of about 6,500 PLN/month.

There are also costs that are not reflected in the rate: if you employ a nanny legally under a contract, you also pay social insurance contributions. Before signing a contract, it is worth checking the rules for employing a nanny and whether the state can cover any contributions with ZUS, the Polish Social Insurance Institution.

Which is cheaper: a nursery, preschool or nanny?

For one child and parents working full-time, preschool is the cheapest option (800 PLN/month), followed by nursery (2,000 PLN/month), with a full-time nanny the most expensive (about PLN 4,000). A nanny provides one-to-one care in your home, and you pay for that.

The calculation changes in two situations:

• Two young children. Two nursery places mean paying two sets of fees, while a nanny adds only about 7.50 PLN/h for the second child. For siblings of nursery age, a nanny often costs about the same or less.
• Part-day care. If you work part-time or remotely and need a few hours of childcare a day, a nanny for three hours a day (60 hours per month) costs about PLN 1,500. Compare this with nursery fees, which you pay regardless of how many hours the child spends there.

Flexibility also matters. A nursery has fixed hours and will not accept an ill child, so a parent still has to stay home during frequent infections. A nanny will care for a child with a runny nose and wait if your train is late, but if the nanny becomes ill, your childcare can disappear overnight.

There is also a third, intermediate option: a shorter day at nursery or preschool, plus a nanny for the afternoons. If you work longer hours, this may be more convenient than paying for the longest hourly package, while the child gets both contact with other children and a quiet afternoon at home.

What should you look out for when choosing a nursery or preschool?

• Compare the total monthly cost. Fees plus meals and additional activities, not just the fees themselves.
• Ask about the registration fee and deposit. These are one-off costs, but they can be high.
• Check the rules on payments for absences. Find out whether fees are refunded for days when the child is ill and whether you have to pay during the summer holidays.
• Ask about subsidies. Private facilities usually know which programmes parents can use and help with the formalities. The municipality office and ZUS provide details and current amounts.
• Opening hours. A longer stay may be a separate item in the price list, while a fee for collecting your child late is a common surprise.

The prices in this article come from public price lists for nurseries and preschools, nanny adverts and guide articles. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the relevant service page, such as how much a private nursery costs.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private nursery cost per month?

Mediana czesnego w prywatnych żłobkach to 2,000 PLN/month, a połowa placówek mieści się w przedziale 1,700 ‑ 2,250 PLN/month. Wyżywienie i opłata wpisowa są zwykle liczone osobno.

How much does a private preschool cost?

Czesne w prywatnym przedszkolu to najczęściej 800 PLN/month, typowo 765 ‑ 875 PLN/month. Najdroższe placówki w naszych danych biorą 2,000 PLN/month.

How much does a full-time nanny cost?

Przy stawce 25 PLN/h i 160 godzinach opieki w miesiącu wychodzi około PLN 4,000. W dużych miastach stawka miesięczna za pełny etat niani to około 6,500 PLN/month.

Which is cheaper, a nursery or a nanny?

Żłobek prywatny kosztuje zwykle 2,000 PLN/month, a niania na pełen etat przy typowej stawce godzinowej około PLN 4,000. Niania wychodzi korzystniej dopiero przy opiece nad dwojgiem dzieci albo w niepełnym wymiarze godzin.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

Found an error? Report it. Do you provide these services? Add your company's price list free of charge.