The Sociological Group "Rating" (Rating Group), Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science (MES), and UNICEF Ukraine have shared the results of a joint study, "Parents' and Caregivers' Attitudes toward and Engagement with Preschool Education and Child Development in Ukraine."

For this study, in February 2026 Rating Group surveyed 2,500 parents and caregivers of children under 6 across Ukraine.

       "We are glad to continue Rating Group's fruitful cooperation with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Science. Projects like this provide a foundation for evidence-based policy decisions for children's wellbeing…"        — Oleksiy Antypovych, co-founder and CEO of Rating Group

The study's results show that among parents' main expectations of preschools are opportunities for children to socialize with peers (77%) and support for early development (49%). In addition, three-quarters of parents of children aged 0–6 who attend or are enrolled in preschool report mostly positive changes in their child since they started attending.

       "The first years of life are decisive for a child's development, and quality preschool education is the best investment in that future…"        — Shamiza Abdullah, Deputy Representative of the UNICEF Office in Ukraine

The main barrier to enrolling a child in preschool is primarily the security situation (cited directly by a third of parents of children aged 0–6, with another 13% citing the lack of a shelter).

       "Despite all the challenges of the war, parents increasingly see preschools as an important space for their child's development…"        — Anastasiia Konovalova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for Preschool Education

Rating Group is one of Ukraine's largest research institutions, operating since 2008. The company is registered in Ukraine and has extensive experience conducting sociological surveys in Ukraine and abroad. The group includes the Rating Sociological Group, the Rating Lab research laboratory, the Rating Online platform, and the Rating CATI Center.