Nowadays, the shortage of places in childcare institutions is significant, with one of the main reasons being the rapid growth of our city. For the 2025/2026 school year, over 500 children were left unaccepted after the first round of enrollment. As a result, the Municipal Council decided to increase the number of children per group starting from September 15, in order to provide more opportunities for those seeking admission.
A large number of mothers rely on this type of kindergarten so they can work actively and participate in social and public life. For the first time under the hills of Plovdiv, this option was offered in 1884. At that time, educated and progressive women from the city’s elite decided to support working mothers and provide education to the youngest citizens. This led to the founding of the first kindergarten, established by the Women’s Charity Society “Mother’s Care” (“Maichina Grizha”).
One of the most active organizations not only in Plovdiv but in the entire country, it was founded back in 1868. Among its main goals were supporting socially vulnerable families, promoting education, and encouraging women’s participation in public affairs. After the Liberation, the society’s efforts were directed toward supporting students, creating opportunities to open a girls’ high school, and — under the influence of then-chairwoman Elisaveta Karaminkova — founding a kindergarten.
This happened on December 2 1884, under the leadership of teacher Ekaterina Desimirova. The initiative was based on the experience of France and other European countries, where the opening of nurseries and kindergartens facilitated women’s participation in the workforce.
The “Mother’s Care” Kindergarten was initially housed in a modest building, but with a big ambition: to offer daytime care and education for children from working-class and poor families, free of charge for those in greatest need. The classes were taught in Bulgarian, which was a bold educational and patriotic decision at that time, before the Liberation.
The initiative was well received by the Plovdiv public. The number of families applying to enroll their children increased, and just two years after the first kindergarten opened, a second one was established in 1886. The society raised funds through charity balls, raffles, private donations, and support from local authorities. Notable donors included Prince Aleko Bogoridi, pharmacist Kalchov, Evlogi Georgiev, Koodoglu, and even Princess Clementine herself.
In 1902, the first purpose-built kindergarten building was constructed. It hosted not only educational activities but also social services: summer daycare shelters, free dining halls, aid for refugees and homeless children.
Until 1944, “Mother’s Care” played a central role in the city’s childcare. After the nationalization, its activities were discontinued, but the building and the spirit of its mission remained. In 1952, a state-run kindergarten with the same name was opened, and since 2016, it has operated as the first Montessori kindergarten in Plovdiv, located at “Hristo G. Danov” Street, № 33.
