Kindergarten and School Safety in Estonia: Everything Parents Should Know and Ask

When choosing a kindergarten or school for their child, parents usually consider the location, teachers, curriculum, extracurricular activities and other parents’ opinions. However, one of the most important questions is often overlooked: how safe is the environment where the child spends a large part of the day?

Safety does not only mean a locked front door, a fence, or a surveillance camera. Equally important is how bullying is prevented, who supervises children during breaks and outdoors, how accidents or emergencies are handled, how parents are notified, and how the child's data is protected in the digital environment.

In 2026, parents should consider safety as a whole — as the combined effect of the physical, mental, social and digital environments. Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium also views school safety more broadly than merely physical safety.

Quick answer: a safe kindergarten or school is recognised not by the fact that it never has problems, but by the fact that risks have been carefully considered, staff know their responsibilities, incidents are responded to quickly, and the parent can be given a clear explanation of how the child's safety is ensured.

What does safety in kindergartens and schools mean?

In practical terms, safety can be divided into four main areas.

Physical security

This concerns, for example:

• the condition of the building, premises and grounds;
• the safety of play and sports equipment;
• stairs, doors, windows and barriers;
• supervising children;
• fire safety and evacuation;
• access to the building by unauthorized persons;
• handing the child over to the correct person;
• preparedness for accidents and emergencies.

In the case of kindergartens and childcare facilities, Terviseamet inspects, among other things, the grounds, buildings, rooms, furnishings, indoor climate and maintenance, as well as compliance with other health protection requirements.

Mental and social safety

A child may be in a perfectly well-maintained and modern building yet still feel unsafe there.

Therefore, it is worth asking:

• how bullying is prevented;
• what is done in cases of repeated conflicts;
• whom the child can turn to with a concern;
• whether teachers notice exclusion or changes in a child's behaviour;
• how is violence addressed;
• how accessible support specialists are.

Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium emphasises that violence and bullying among students must be prevented when shaping the school environment, and that supportive and respectful relationships must be fostered throughout the school community.

Digital safety

School life is no longer limited to the classroom and the school grounds. eKool, Stuudium, various applications, cloud services, smart devices and online learning materials are used in teaching.

Parents should know:

• which digital environments the child uses;
• what data is processed there;
• who has access to them;
• how is cyberbullying addressed;
• what are the rules for using smart devices;
• how photos and video recordings are handled.

Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium also specifically identifies IT security, virtual learning environments, communication and data protection as components of a safe school environment.

Crisis preparedness

A fire is not the only situation that an educational institution must be prepared for.

For example, the question could be:

• in an accident;
• a child going missing;
• in a violent incident;
• in the event of a dangerous person on school grounds;
• in a widespread power or communications outage;
• in a situation requiring evacuation or sheltering.
• In 2026, crisis preparedness has become an even more prominent issue for schools, and Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium publishes separate crisis preparedness guidelines for educational institutions.

What does Estonian law say in 2026?

It is important here to distinguish between a school and a kindergarten, as their activities are governed by different legislation.

Schools

Under the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, a school must ensure the mental and physical safety and protect the health of students while they are at school.

The law also regulates how emergencies are handled at school. The principal is responsible for developing an emergency response plan for the school.

The student and their legal representative also have the right to receive information and explanations from the school regarding school organisation and the student's rights and obligations.

Kindergartens and childcare facilities

There is one important change here in 2026.

The former Koolieelse lasteasutuse seadus is no longer in force. Since 1 September 2025, the field has been regulated by the Alusharidusseadus.

The law establishes requirements for the learning and development environment in childcare facilities and kindergartens with the aim of supporting children’s development, protecting their health and organising teaching and educational activities safely and securely.

Therefore, when it comes to schools and kindergartens, it is not enough to simply ask the same question: “Do you have a crisis plan?”

It is better to ask specific questions:

“How does your institution respond in the event of a fire, evacuation, a missing child, an injury or another dangerous situation?”

7 things parents should check themselves

1. Look at the environment first, not the advertising images

One visit in person can provide more information than ten photos on a website.

See, for example:

• whether the outdoor area and play equipment are in good condition;
• whether a child can easily access dangerous places;
• how entry and exit are managed;
• whether younger children can leave the premises on their own;
• what the general order and condition of the premises are;
• how children are supervised outdoors and in common areas.

Not everything has to be new. What matters is that the environment is well maintained, thoughtfully designed, and suitable for the child's age.

2. Ask who is allowed to pick up the child

This is particularly important in kindergarten and the early primary grades.

Ask:

• who is allowed to pick up the child;
• how an unknown person is checked;
• what is done if someone the staff member does not know comes to pick up the child;
• whether there are clear rules for handing over the child;
• what is done if a parent is late.

A good answer should not be “we know all the parents.”

There should be a clear procedure that also works when the usual teacher or staff member is absent.

3. Check crisis and evacuation preparedness

At school, it is worth asking directly about the emergency response plan.

For example:

• when it was last updated;
• whether the staff know their duties;
• how evacuation works;
• what is done when going outside is not possible;
• how parents are notified;
• who coordinates the response.

At a kindergarten, the same question can be asked more practically:

“What exactly happens if a situation arises in the building that requires the children to be evacuated or taken to a safe place?”

If the answer is very vague, it is worth asking further questions.

4. Ask about supervision and staff preparedness

A good security system is no substitute for an attentive adult.

Find out:

• how supervision is organized during breaks;
• who is responsible in the outdoor area;
• what is done if the teacher unexpectedly has to leave the group or classroom;
• who knows how to provide first aid;
• where the first aid supplies are located;
• how accidents are recorded and analysed.

You can also ask how they ensure that employees are not subject to restrictions on working with children.

Lastekaitseseadus establishes specific restrictions on working with children, and any person who enables someone to work with a child is obliged to verify compliance with them.

5. Do not ask only: “Do you have bullying here?”

Almost any institution can answer this question by saying that the problem is not significant.

It is much more useful to ask:

“What do you do when a child says they are being bullied?”

Then:

• whom the child turns to;
• who investigates the case;
• when parents are contacted;
• how conflict is distinguished from systematic bullying;
• what is done in the event of a repeated incident;
• which support specialist can intervene.

The most important thing is not whether a conflict has ever occurred at the school or kindergarten.

What matters is how adults respond to it.

6. A security camera does not automatically mean that an institution is safe

The presence of a camera may be one security measure, but it is not a mark of quality.

Andmekaitse Inspektsioon emphasizes that before using video surveillance, its purpose, legal basis, and necessity must be carefully considered, and it must be assessed whether the same purpose could be achieved using means that interfere less with privacy.

If the institution uses cameras, a parent may ask:

• what they are used for;
• which areas are filmed;
• who can view the recordings;
• how long recordings are retained;
• how people are informed about video surveillance.

Therefore, a kindergarten or school should not be assessed on the principle “the more cameras, the safer it is”.

7. Ask how parents are notified in the event of a crisis or incident

Surprisingly often, this question is forgotten.

Ask:

• who calls the parent;
• when the parent is notified;
• which channel is used;
• what is done if the first parent cannot be reached;
• how all parents are notified simultaneously in the event of a major crisis.

It is particularly important to know whether the institution has parents’ up-to-date contact details.

Questions to ask when visiting a kindergarten or school

Save this list before the meeting.

Physical security

• How is access to the building managed?
• How is unauthorized access by outsiders prevented?
• Who supervises children outdoors and during breaks?
• How is the condition of play and sports equipment checked?
• How is the child handed over to a parent or another authorised person?

Emergencies

• What is the institution's emergency procedure?
• How does evacuation work?
• Do staff practise how to respond in emergencies?
• How are parents notified?
• Who is responsible for crisis management?

First aid

• Who at the institution is designated to provide first aid?
• Are first aid supplies quickly accessible?
• What is done if a child is injured?
• When is an ambulance called, and when is the parent notified?

Mental safety

• How is bullying addressed?
• Who can a child turn to with a concern?
• How are parents involved in resolving conflicts?
• Which support specialists are available to the child?

Digital safety

• Which digital environments are used?
• How is children's personal data protected?
• What are the rules for publishing photos and videos?
• How is cyberbullying addressed?

What signs should make a parent cautious?

A single shortcoming does not automatically mean that it is a bad kindergarten or school. However, some signs certainly warrant further questions.

🚩 Questions about safety are answered vaguely

“We don’t have such problems” is not a safety plan.

🚩 No one can clearly say who is responsible

If responsibility always lies with “someone else”, confusion may arise during a crisis.

🚩 Parents' questions are taken as an attack

A reasonable question about safety is not an accusation.

🚩 Recurring problems remain unresolved

It is worth being especially vigilant if the same bullying, supervision, or safety issue recurs.

🚩 The child’s behavior changes suddenly

The following, for example, may require attention:

• unexpected reluctance to go to school or kindergarten;
• severe anxiety;
• unexplained injuries;
• sleep problems;
• sudden withdrawal;
• repeated complaints about one child or adult.

None of these signs proves in itself that something dangerous is happening at the institution, but they do provide a reason to talk calmly with the child and investigate the situation more closely.

What should a parent do if they notice a safety issue?

First, it is worth documenting the specific problem, rather than approaching the institution with a general accusation.

For example, not:

“Your school is not safe.”

only:

“My child described three incidents in which they were pushed during recess and there was no adult nearby. I would like to know how supervision is organized in this area and what can be done to prevent the situation from recurring.”

Depending on the problem, you can contact:

1. the teacher or group teacher;
2. the homeroom teacher;
3. to the director or management;
4. the board of trustees or the operator of the school/kindergarten;
5. the local authority;
6. the competent government authority.

If the issue concerns, for example, the condition of the premises or compliance with health protection requirements, it may be appropriate to contact the Terviseamet. For matters concerning the organization of education and compliance with the law, it may be necessary to contact the Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium.

In the event of an immediate threat, you should naturally act according to the situation and contact the emergency services if necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Must a school ensure a child's safety?

Yes. The Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act stipulates that a school must ensure the mental and physical safety and health protection of students while they are at school.

Must every school have a crisis plan?

The school must have an emergency response plan, and the principal is responsible for organising its development.

Does exactly the same requirement apply to kindergartens in exactly the same form?

The legal regulations governing schools and kindergartens are not identical. As of 1 September 2025, kindergartens are subject to the Early Childhood Education Act and the safety requirements for learning and growth environments established under it. Parents should therefore ask the kindergarten specifically how evacuation, accident response and other emergencies are handled.

Do surveillance cameras make a school or kindergarten safer?

Not necessarily. A camera can be one security measure, but its use must be justified and comply with data protection rules. From a safety perspective, supervision, work organisation, staff preparedness and clear procedures are at least equally important.

What should a parent be sure to ask before choosing a kindergarten or school?

The most useful questions concern child supervision, access by strangers, handing over a child, emergency procedures, addressing bullying, first aid, and informing parents.

Summary: safety cannot be assessed by a single door or camera

Kindergarten and school safety in Estonia is not a single document, device, or checkbox on a checklist.

A good system consists of many small things:

a safe environment + attentive adults + clear rules + crisis preparedness + rapid exchange of information + taking the child's concerns seriously.

The most useful question a parent can ask a school or kindergarten is not:

“Is it safe here?”

only:

“Please explain exactly what you do when something happens.”

The specificity of the answer often shows best just how thoroughly the child's safety has actually been arranged.

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Official sources

• Põhikooli- ja gümnaasiumiseadus – Riigi Teataja – school obligations, student safety, and emergency response.
• Early Childhood Education Act – Riigi Teataja – the principal law regulating kindergartens and childcare facilities from 1.09.2025.
• School Safety – Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium – school safety, crisis preparedness, and the mental and physical learning environment.
• Kindergartens and Childcare Facilities – Terviseamet – health protection requirements and supervision in kindergartens and childcare facilities.
• Supervision of the living environment of educational institutions – Terviseamet – environmental conditions in schools, kindergartens, and childcare facilities.
• Use of cameras – Andmekaitse Inspektsioon – the purpose and necessity of video surveillance and data protection requirements.
• Child Protection Act – Riigi Teataja – restrictions on working with children and principles of child protection.

This article is for informational purposes and does not replace the internal rules of a specific educational institution or official legal advice. For legislation, it is always advisable to check the current version in Riigi Teataja.