El Ciudadano
Original article: Sindicatos Integra acusan que proyecto Sala Cuna para Chile privatiza la educación inicial: “No puede convertirse en un bien de mercado”
«Early Education Must Not Become a Market Commodity»: Labor Unions Oppose Chile’s Nursery Project
National unions from Fundación Integra publicly rejected the «Nursery Project for Chile,” formerly known as «Universal Nursery,» warning that this initiative marks a move towards the privatization and commodification of early childhood education in the country.
In a statement addressed to the educational community and legislative authorities, the organizations pointed out that the project could pave the way for market involvement in preschool education through state funding, creating a «fourth financing mechanism at the expense of existing public systems». They argued that the priority should instead be to standardize and increase the resources allocated to the three current public institutions to ensure comprehensive and quality education.
«We maintain that early education must remain under the management and responsibility of the Ministry of Education to avoid its transformation into a market commodity,» asserted the unions, emphasizing that early childhood education should be public, inclusive, and accessible to all families without distinction. In this context, they rejected legislative initiatives that they believe «place the labor market over the essential right to education in early childhood.»
The organizations also cautioned that the proposal represents a setback for public preschool education in Chile, which is recognized regionally for its levels of coverage and quality. They indicated that the project could exacerbate segregation processes funded by public resources and replicate the experiences observed previously in the school system.
In the document, the unions argue that increased coverage can be fully achieved by strengthening JUNJI, Fundación Integra, VTF institutions, and SLEP, public entities that cater to all children, not just vulnerable sectors. “Strengthening public institutions will ensure comprehensive care for children without needing to resort to privatization,” they stated.
The statement also recalled incidents from former President Sebastián Piñera’s administration, mentioning the suspension of the construction of 500 daycare centers promised in the Budget Law and the allowance for private spaces financed by public funds. The unions believe the current project under discussion revisits the approach of outsourcing state responsibility.
As an alternative, the unions proposed to expand and improve the public early education network by strengthening INTEGRA, JUNJI, VTF, and SLEP, ensuring adequate coverage and access throughout the country based on common technical and pedagogical criteria. They reiterated the need to defend a public, inclusive, universal, and quality initial education.
Finally, they called upon families, educators, and the public to actively participate in the debate about the future of early education in Chile. “We believe that through joint work, it is possible to build a truly inclusive and quality national system where the State assumes the role of guarantor of this right,” concluded the unions SINATI, Sindicato Sindidos, and Sindicato N°1 from Fundación Integra.
Source: Statement from the National Unions of Fundación Integra, Santiago, July 10, 2026.
View the full letter at the following PDF link
LETTER TO THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY AND LEGISLATIVE POWER
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