Parents in Cyprus have a big problem with childcare. They need to book a place for their baby over a year before the baby is born. This makes pregnancy a very stressful time. Many families want childcare, but there are not enough places. So, parents must find childcare for babies who are not even born yet.

This problem is worse because some private nurseries stopped working with government programs. This makes it harder and more expensive for families. It shows there are big problems with childcare for young children in Cyprus.

One mother is expecting a baby in February 2026. She started looking for childcare when she was pregnant in May 2025. She checked many places for cost and quality. She found a place for her baby, but it starts in September 2026. This is a very long time to wait. Many nurseries are already full for next year.

Experts say there are many reasons for this. Not enough new nurseries are opening. Also, some private nurseries decided to leave government programs. They think they can earn more money on their own. This is bad for parents who used government support. Now, they must pay more money for childcare.

This situation causes a lot of stress for families. They have to make big decisions when they are already busy. Parents try to find cheaper places by booking very early. Or, they have to pay higher prices. This can make it harder for poorer families to get good childcare.

The government is trying to help with new laws. A new law will help four-year-old children go to school. This is good for older children, but it does not help babies. Cyprus needs more childcare places for young children. The government must also support programs that help families. Without these changes, the childcare problem will continue.