School holidays and childcare in Cyprus
We’re checking our school’s official calendar against the summer programmes, camps and our family’s childcare arrangements.
Checked: 27 September 2026.
First, find your school’s calendar
A child’s holidays depend on the academic year, the stage of education and the type of school. The Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth publishes the calendar for state primary schools, whilst private schools must provide families with their own approved timetable. Do not transfer dates from primary school to secondary school, a nursery group or a private school without checking first.
For state primary schools, the published calendar for 2026–2027, the Christmas holidays are listed as running from 23 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, and the Easter holidays from 26 April to 7 May 2027. The pupils’ summer holidays are listed as running from 17 June to 10 September 2027. In addition to the general dates, there are local public holidays, which the school specifies for its local area.
Make a note in your family calendar not only of the first and last days of the holidays, but also of any shortened school days, older children’s exams, days when extracurricular clubs are not running, and days when childcare is unavailable. Check these against the letter from the school, rather than relying solely on search engine results. The annual notice may be updated, so last year’s saved spreadsheet is not a reliable source on its own.
What does ‘supervision’ mean?
School lessons, full-day extracurricular programmes, public summer schools, private camps and childminders each serve different purposes. A full day during term time does not automatically mean activities throughout the holidays; the official description of optional programmes specifies their own dates and rules for participation. For each option, check the dates, times, age requirements and the organisation responsible.
Public summer schools operate as a separate programme run by the Ministry. Their locations, number of places and enrolment procedures vary depending on the season, and it is not possible to assume in advance whether a particular school will be available.
If your family needs childcare before work starts or after school finishes, please check this separately with the school and the provider. The times for dropping off and collecting your child are just as important as the name of the programme. Ask what happens if a parent is late, if the group is closed unexpectedly, or if your child falls ill, and who is authorised to collect them.
Planning by stage throughout the year
Start with the school holidays set by the Ministry and add any local school holidays, then compare the work schedules of all the adults. Divide the days into those already covered by the family plan, those requiring short-term supervision, and those requiring a full programme. This will show how many places you actually need to book, and where help from relatives or adjustments to work schedules will suffice.
Check the application deadlines for public programmes and do not pay for an alternative simply out of fear that ‘places are running out’ until you know the refund policy. For a private camp, enquire about the age range, staff, meals, medical arrangements and the actual location.
Plan transitions between activities: your child may need a break, transport and a familiar face to hand them over to. Three different locations in a week create logistical challenges that aren’t reflected in the price of the holiday. If your family has several children with different schedules, keep separate records rather than a single ‘holiday’ list.
Child safety and needs
Ask the organiser how arrivals and departures are recorded, who is responsible for the child, how parents’ contact details are kept, and what procedures are in place in the event of an injury or a dispute. For trips to the seaside or the mountains, you’ll need specific details about the itinerary, the chaperones and what happens if the trip is cancelled due to the weather. Don’t assume that a well-organised summer programme is proof of daily supervision.
If your child has an allergy, is taking medication or has a special educational need, please pass on the necessary information to the designated adult via a secure channel and agree on a plan. Do not promise your child that any camp will provide the same level of support as their school. What matters is having specific resources, accountability and the opportunity to participate safely without stigma.
Ask your child what sort of rest they need. After a busy term, not every day should be filled with activities simply for the convenience of the adults. Make sure there is free time, sleep and the option to opt out of unsuitable activities. If your child reports unsafe behaviour, protect them first and record the facts, then sort out the payment later.
Cost and contract
Add up the cost of the programme, meals, transport, excursions, admission tickets, materials and insurance. Public programmes may have a different payment structure to private ones, so do not combine them into a single figure. Ask for a written schedule of the days covered by the payment and check that it includes the time before and after the main activity.
Please read the refund policy in the event of illness, a change in parents’ employment, cancellation of a session or an insufficient number of participants. Find out whether dates can be changed and who provides replacement staff. A contract with a private provider must specify the actual services to be provided; a verbal promise such as ‘we’re usually flexible’ does not give the family clear rights in the event of a dispute.
If a third party is collecting your child, please arrange this in advance in accordance with the school’s or service provider’s rules. Make a note of alternative contact details, but do not hand out copies of your child’s documents unless necessary. Payment and consent to be photographed are separate matters; ask for a separate explanation of where the images will be published and how to opt out.
The last week before the holidays
Check the timetable against the latest letter from the school, and verify the places and routes that have been paid for. Check whether the timings have changed over the public holidays and who will be on contact should the venue close. Have a backup plan in place in case your child or the organiser falls ill, so that you don’t have to look for an unfamiliar alternative on the first day of the holidays.
Discuss with your child where they will be going, who will be there to meet them, and when their parents will be back. Show them the place in advance if it’s new. For younger children, a familiar routine and a trusted adult help to reduce anxiety; even a good programme can be overwhelming without a gradual introduction.
After the first few days, compare the actual arrangements with what was agreed in the contract: timings, meals, activities, safety and well-being. If there are any significant discrepancies, ask for a written correction or explanation. Do not continue to take part if there is a risk, simply because the camp has already been paid for.
Relevance and next review
The 2026–2027 calendar is provided as an example for state primary schools, taken from the official website, as checked on 27 September 2026. For the next academic year, local holidays, private schools and other levels, please refer to the relevant up-to-date calendar. Dates for public summer programmes and enrolment are published separately.
It’s a good idea to set a reminder to check the school calendar when it’s published, and to check childcare options before each term begins. Make a note of the links and the date the provider replied. Do not make notes such as ‘no places available’ or ‘the service is free’ based on a conversation from last year: such information changes quickly and depends on the individual family.
This information helps you to organise a family plan, but does not confirm a place on the programme and does not replace the rules of the school, camp or contract. If your child has complex needs, please discuss the suitability of a particular option with their specialists and the relevant organiser before making any payment or handing your child over.
Continue planning
- Children’s summer camps in Cyprus: choice and safety
- Enrolling a child at a state school in Cyprus
- School transport in Cyprus: routes and safety