

Day-Care Centre for School-Age Children
Operating Day-Care Centres for School-Age Children
General Information
In order to operate a Day-Care Centre for School-Age Children in the Republic of Cyprus, natural or legal persons need to obtain a Registration Certificate by the Director of Social Welfare Services of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance.
The term “Day-Care Centre for School-Age Children” refers to any premises within which care, protection and education is provided to more than two children, of up to eighteen years old, at any time during the day.
Application Submission
Who is Eligible
Every physical person or legal entity is eligible to register a Day-Care Centre for School-Age Children, provided that the Social Welfare Services is satisfied that the following criteria are met:
- The person in charge of the Centre possess the appropriate qualifications as may be specified by the Director;
- Sufficient and qualified staff is to be employed in order to ensure the best possible care of children;
- The suitability of the premises with the appropriate health conditions, location, fire safety, construction, layout, maintenance, general conditions, and equipment;
- The suitability of services and facilitations to be offered at the Centre.
Where to Apply
The application form for the Registration of a Day-Care Centre for School-Age Children, can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the competent authority:
Social Welfare Services
Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance
63 Prodromou,
1468 Nicosia
Tel.: +357 22406701, +357 22406712
Fax: +357 22667907
Email: central.sws@sws.mlsi.gov.cy, ipapatheodoulou@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Website: http://www.mlsi.gov.cy/sws
Which Certificates must be Submitted
The application form should be accompanied by the following documents:
- Copy of Manager’s qualification certificates;
- Copy of staff members’ qualification certificates;
- Copy of identity card for each staff member;
- Copy of the architectural plans and the exact dimensions of the building;
- Copy of the Building Permit or Town Planning Permit;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Cyprus Fire Service;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Public Works Department;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Public Health Services;
- Copy of Certificate of Eligibility by the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services;
- Original Health Certificates for each staff member* (see clarification below);
- Original Certificates of Clear Criminal Record for each staff member;
- Original Certificate by the Police in accordance with article 22 (6) of the “Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law, N. 91 (i)/2014” for each staff member.
*Original (Medical) Health Certificates: blood tests for infectious diseases (hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (anti-HCV), AIDS HIV (HIV I&II antibodies), syphilis (VDRL) and dermoreaction MANTOUX], food handler certificate (stool-sample analysis) and chest X-ray reports.
On-site inspection of the Day Care Centre’s premises is carried out by authorized persons of the Director of Social Welfare Services in order to ensure that all the prerequisites are met.
Fees Applicable & How to Pay
There are no fees applicable.
Decision Notification
On-site inspection of the Day Care Centre’s premises is carried out by authorized persons of the Director of Social Welfare Services in order to ensure that all the prerequisites are met.
The applicant is informed regarding the authorization decision within four months from the date that the application form and supporting documents have been dully submitted. The authorization shall not be deemed to have been granted if the Social Welfare Services has not replied within the period specified.
Licence Validity Period
The Certificate of Registration of a Day-Care Centre for School-Age Children is valid indefinitively, subject to the annual renewal of the Certificate of Eligibility by the Department of Fire Safety, the Public Health Services, and the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services, the Health Certificates and the Certificates of Clear Criminal Record for each staff member. Please note that the Certificate of Eligibility from the Public Works Department should be renewed only when necessary.
Dispute with the Competent Authority's Decision
How to File an Administrative Action
Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision
Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.
Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.
The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action
After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.
How to Appeal
Appeal Information
An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such decision was given.
At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated for. However, such revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.
The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.
Legislation & Obligations
Which Laws and Regulations Apply
- The Day-Care Centres for School-Age Children Law 1996 (2 (Ι) / 1996)
- The Day-Care Centres for School-Age Children Regulations (in the “Applications & Documents”)
What are my Obligations
Registered Day-Care Centres for School-Age Children are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Day-Care Centres for School-Age Children Law, and relevant Regulations, as periodically amended, and specifically, among others, to ensure that the requirements regarding the following are met:
- Staff Members’ Qualifications;
- Premises and equipment;
- Maintenance;
- Records that need to be kept;
- Child – staff ratio;
- Child – space ratio;
- The Certificate of Registration is posted in a conspicuous place of the establishment.
Any person authorized by the Director of the Social Welfare Services may at all reasonable times enter any premises which are used for childcare and may inspect the premises, the children looked after, their welfare arrangements as well as any records relating to them.