How to start a preschool in El Salvador

Starting an early childhood education centre, known as a Centro de Atención de la Primera Infancia (CAPI), in El Salvador presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the nation's focus on early childhood development. The "Ley Crecer Juntos para la Protección Integral de la Primera Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia" (Grow Together Law for the Comprehensive Protection of Early Childhood, Children, and Adolescents), or simply Ley Crecer Juntos, which fully came into effect in March 2025, underscores the governmental commitment to this sector. This law significantly impacts how early childhood services are provided, especially through its mandate for employers with 100 or more employees to ensure access to CAPIs for their workers' children under four years old. Aspiring providers will need to engage with the National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence (CONAPINA) for authorisation and adherence to regulations. Understanding the nuances of this legal framework and the support structures in place is crucial for a successful launch and operation of a CAPI in El Salvador.

Regulations

Health safety: CAPIs must provide a suitable environment for child welfare, which encompasses aspects of health and safety. The services include growth and development monitoring and personal care. While specific health and safety protocols like safeguarding policies, medication administration, immunization requirements, illness exclusion criteria, or incident reporting mechanisms are not explicitly detailed for El Salvador in the provided information, these are standard components of comprehensive early childhood care. Employers operating CAPIs are also tasked with monitoring services to ensure no discrimination or barriers limit service use.

Licensing overview: The Ley Crecer Juntos, fully effective March 2025, mandates that employers with 100 or more employees must provide early childhood care services for children under four. Aspiring CAPI operators will need to be authorised by CONAPINA. This can involve establishing a CAPI on the employer's premises, participating in shared centres funded by multiple employers, or offering services as an authorised third-party CAPI. The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare oversees compliance, with CONAPINA handling non-liability requests if an employer cannot fulfil the obligation.

Licensing authority: National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence (CONAPINA)

Staff qualifications: CAPI staff, including those providing early childhood education, early stimulation, growth and development monitoring, and personal care, must be adequately trained and licensed. While specific national guidelines for El Salvador are not detailed in the provided sources, the Fair Labor Association recommends that all childcare workers must be fully trained and licensed to provide the necessary level of care. In the absence of explicit local legal requirements, vocational training in childcare is advised as best practice to ensure a suitable environment for child welfare and development. Background checks would also be a general requirement, though not explicitly mentioned for El Salvador.

Facility requirements: CAPIs are designed to implement a comprehensive care model for children from the end of maternity leave until they turn four. Importantly, childcare facilities must not physically overlap with production areas, and children must not have access to production areas within facilities operated by employers. Specific square footage or outdoor space requirements for El Salvador are not detailed in the provided sources, but generally, facilities should ensure a suitable and safe environment for early childhood education, early stimulation, growth and development monitoring, personal care, and recreational activities. Fire and safety codes would generally apply to all commercial buildings, including CAPIs.

Curriculum requirements: CAPIs in El Salvador are responsible for implementing an 'institutional approach to the comprehensive care model for children.' This model encompasses early childhood education and early stimulation, alongside other services like growth and development monitoring, personal care, and recreational activities. The specific framework (e.g., EYFS, NQF, NEP) is not named, however, the emphasis on a 'comprehensive care model' suggests a holistic approach to early childhood development. This aligns with international best practices for early childhood education, which focuses on various developmental domains.

Startup costs

Startup costs can vary significantly based on the chosen modality. A small CAPI renting space or operating within an existing employer's facility (especially if shared with other employers) will have lower initial investments. A purpose-built, larger centre for 60-100 children will incur higher costs for construction/renovation, specialized equipment, and initial staffing. Monthly operating costs are influenced by staff salaries, utilities, educational materials, and food supplies. The tax exemption for compliance-related expenses can help mitigate some costs for employers.

Timeline

1. Understanding the Ley Crecer Juntos (1-2 months): Familiarize yourself with the 'Ley Crecer Juntos para la Protección Integral de la Primera Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia.' This law, effective March 2025, outlines the requirements for Early Childhood Care Centres (CAPIs) and the obligations of employers. Understanding the modalities for providing services, such as establishing a CAPI on employer premises, shared centres, or offering authorized services, is critical for planning.

2. Authorisation by CONAPINA (3-6 months): Seek authorisation from the National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence (CONAPINA). This involves navigating the application process to become an authorized CAPI provider. While specific steps are not detailed, it would generally include submitting detailed plans for your facility, curriculum, and staff qualifications for review and approval by the authority.

3. Facility Preparation and Staffing (4-8 months): Prepare your CAPI facility according to guidelines, ensuring it provides a suitable environment for early childhood education and care. This includes ensuring separation from any production areas if located within an employer's premises and meeting general safety standards. Recruit and train staff to be fully licensed and capable of providing comprehensive care as per the institutional model required by the Ley Crecer Juntos.

4. Operational Setup and Compliance (1-2 months): Finalise operational aspects, including developing communication channels for employee feedback and assigning management team members to verify CAPI compliance with legal requirements. Ensure your centre is ready for oversight by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. For employers, internal work regulations must be modified to communicate compliance with the law.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Communication (Ongoing): Continuously monitor the services provided by the CAPI to ensure adherence to legal requirements and quality standards. Establish effective communication with families, especially vulnerable groups like pregnant workers, parents of children with disabilities, and single parents, to encourage the use of CAPI services. Ensure that services are non-discriminatory and accessible to all eligible children.

6. Tax Exemption Application (Varies): For employers, compliance with the CAPI obligation comes with a tax exemption, allowing deduction of incurred expenses from income tax. This step involves preparing and submitting the necessary documentation to claim this benefit, which will require careful record-keeping of all costs associated with CAPI establishment and operation.

Next steps: explore the IPC curriculum, read about preschool enrollment, or browse all start-a-preschool guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is a CAPI in El Salvador?

A CAPI, or Centro de Atención de la Primera Infancia, is an Early Childhood Care Centre in El Salvador. These facilities are designed to provide comprehensive care for children from the end of maternity leave until they turn four years old. Services typically include early childhood education, early stimulation, growth and development monitoring, personal care, and recreational activities, all within a suitable environment for child welfare, as mandated by the Ley Crecer Juntos.

Who regulates CAPIs in El Salvador?

The National Council for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Adolescence (CONAPINA) is the responsible body for authorising CAPIs in El Salvador. Additionally, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare is tasked with overseeing compliance with the obligations set forth by the Ley Crecer Juntos, particularly for employers. Both entities play crucial roles in ensuring the quality and legality of early childhood care services in the country.

What is the 'Ley Crecer Juntos'?

The 'Ley Crecer Juntos para la Protección Integral de la Primera Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia,' or Grow Together Law, is El Salvador's legal framework that establishes the need for comprehensive protection and care for early childhood, children, and adolescents. Fully effective in March 2025, it notably requires employers with 100 or more staff to provide access to CAPIs for their employees' children under the age of four. This law is fundamental to the provision of early childhood care services in the country.

Are there tax benefits for operating a CAPI in El Salvador?

Yes, employers who comply with the obligation to provide CAPI services for their workers' children are eligible for a tax exemption in El Salvador. This allows them to deduct the expenses incurred for compliance from their income tax. This incentive is designed to encourage employers to establish or facilitate access to early childhood care services as required by the Ley Crecer Juntos.

What are the modalities for employers to provide CAPI services?

Employers in El Salvador have four primary modalities to fulfil their obligation under the Ley Crecer Juntos: they can establish a CAPI on their own premises; they can set up and maintain shared centres funded by multiple employers within the same municipality; they can hire the services of a CAPI authorised by CONAPINA; or they can pay the employee the average cost of CAPI services as a direct benefit. This flexibility aims to accommodate various business structures and needs.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with the Ley Crecer Juntos?

Employers in El Salvador who fail to comply with the legal requirement to provide access to childcare centres for their workers' children under the age of four may face penalties. The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare is responsible for overseeing compliance and applying sanctions for unjustified non-compliance. These fines are calculated by multiplying the current minimum wage by a determined number of payments, underscoring the importance of adherence to the law.