The issue of insufficient preschool places in the Algarve has been escalating, particularly following attempts by many parents in April and May to secure spots in public preschools. Although some placements have been resolved, several children still lack enrollment options as the new school year approaches. Some have been forced into private education or Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS).
On July 12, Patrícia Oliveira organized a demonstration at Loulé City Hall to address this ongoing problem. The closure of preschools such as those in Quarteira, Origami, and Fundação António Aleixo left numerous three-year-olds without public school placements. In response, parents united to urge local authorities to find a resolution before the school year begins.
In an interview with Sul Informação, Oliveira detailed her experience. She enrolled her child in public school on the designated date, aware of the impending closure of her son’s current school, which was only announced in March. This late notice left her unable to seek private alternatives, as private school enrollments start in January.
Oliveira attributes the crisis to the “Creche Feliz” program, which has been in place since September 2022. This initiative provides free daycare for children up to age three but does not support preschool classrooms. Instead, the program offers nearly €480 per child in nursery classrooms, making it more financially advantageous for schools to focus on younger children.
“The State doesn’t support preschool classrooms,” Oliveira said. “Instead, it funds nursery classrooms under Creche Feliz, which benefits schools financially. As a result, many three-year-olds are left without a place in public schools.”
Parents reached out to the Quarteira Parish Council, which forwarded their concerns to Loulé Council. Despite initial assurances, many children remained without placements. The parents used social media to organize a demonstration, discovering widespread similar issues among Loulé residents.
Oliveira recounted that although education councilor Ana Machado eventually confirmed additional placements for Quarteira, the problem persisted in Loulé, leading to the demonstration.
One solution in Quarteira involved converting a former GNR facility into a temporary preschool. However, as the school year nears, the facility remains unopened, creating additional challenges.
In Faro, a similar crisis unfolded. Parents gathered on July 12 to protest the closure of the Estrela do Mar Children’s Center, which affects 17 children aged 3 to 5. Rita Mendonça, a founder of the “Education for All in Faro” movement, led the protest. She highlighted the difficulty in finding placements in both private institutions and public schools.
Mendonça shared her personal struggle, paying for an extra year of private school for her children due to the shortage of public spots. She reported extensive waiting lists in various Faro districts, exacerbating the problem.
While new schools and refurbishments are planned for Faro, Mendonça fears that these measures will not be sufficient to address the immediate needs of families.
In Portimão, Vice-President Teresa Mendes acknowledged the impact of the “Creche Feliz” program on preschool availability. She noted that the municipality has engaged with the General Directorate of Education and the Municipal Education Council but has yet to see concrete alternatives from private schools.
To tackle the shortage, Portimão plans to build additional classrooms across various schools over the next five years, aiming to accommodate approximately 200 more children. The local authority is also encouraging private entities and IPSS to apply for funding to open new rooms.
Despite these efforts, Mendes emphasized that increasing student numbers, including those from immigrant families, continue to challenge the system. She assured that all children, regardless of origin, are subject to the same admission criteria.
Efforts to get a response from the Ministry of Education regarding the nationwide preschool shortage have so far been unsuccessful.