Out of 1,255,000 children at risk of poverty or social exclusion, only a little over 27,000 benefit from the services of day care centers to prevent family separation, according to authorities’ data. The number is insufficient, draws the attention of the Save the Children organization. And in the absence of adequate services, a significant proportion of children end up in the protection system. Through European funds, the organization opened a new day care center in Bucharest, in partnership with DGASPC Sector 6.
A major problem: over a million vulnerable children, limited support
At the end of last year, 27,128 children were included in day care services, according to data from the National Authority for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Adoption. These services are essential to prevent children from being separated from their families, providing educational, social and psychological support. However, the number is far too small in relation to the social reality: approximately 1,255,000 children in Romania face severe shortages, from the lack of family income to ensure a decent living; social and educational isolation to the lack of quality socio-educational and health services.
In this context, the risk of separation of children from the family remains high, given that, in addition to factors such as neglect, abuse or exploitation, the most frequent causes of separation are of a social nature. Severe poverty, inadequate living conditions, disorganized families and situations where the parents are minors contribute significantly to increasing the vulnerability of children, increasing the risk of institutionalization or removal from the family environment, says the Save the Children Organization.
Official figures show that no fewer than 33,420 children were in the protection system at the end of last year. A system that sometimes actually fails to protect them. At the beginning of April, George, a 12-year-old child in the care of DGASPC Argeș, committed suicide. He had been taken from his family in January.
“A 12-year-old child, in the care of the state, died. We are not talking about a statistic. We are talking about a life that needed to be protected”deputy Alina Gorghiu wrote after the tragedy.
Too few day care centers
At the beginning of 2025, only 724 day care centers for vulnerable children were operating in Romania, of which 360 were public, according to data from the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity.
Poverty represents a major vulnerability for children, affecting both non-discriminatory access to education and social integration, as well as the sense of security that the family should provide. That is why integrated social policies are needed, which simultaneously address the socio-economic problems and the support needs of the family, in order to reduce the risk of separating the child from those who offer him safety and emotional comfort, draws the attention of Gabriela Alexandrescu, president of Save the Children Romania.
A concrete project: Belvedere Day Center
In partnership with the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection Sector 6, the organization launched the project in 2025 Belvedere day care center for children at risk of separation from their parents.
The proposed interventions aim to improve access to community services for children and families in situations of poverty, as well as for children from the special protection system in Sector 6 of the Municipality of Bucharest. These are aimed at preventing the separation of children from their families, reducing the number of entries into the special protection system and reintegrating children into the family for whom such a measure has already been instituted, the organization says.
The project offers integrated services: educational support, psychological counseling, recreational activities, but also material support.
More than 120 children already participate in the center’s activities, benefiting from hot meals, supplies and emotional support. In parallel, parents receive counseling and guidance to improve their situation.
The project is financed by the European Social Fund Plus, within the Inclusion and Social Dignity Program, with a value of almost 10 million lei.
Minister Dragoș Pîslaru emphasized the importance of these investments:
“It’s not numbers in a report. It’s kids who have a place to come tomorrow morning.”
