Lifelong learning and education is an important factor in the development of competences and skills in the life of an adult, but also in the life of a child with which an individual gains confidence, faces new different knowledge and builds on existing knowledge. The concept of lifelong learning encompasses learning through all stages of life and performance forms, including non-formal and formal programs of education and informal learning. As the support to educators at the acquisition of competences for quality teaching of children, a lifelong learning strategy is a developing document submitted to changes depending on changes in a Croatian educational system. The development of Lifelong learning was first introduced in the 1960s, and in 1960 and 1965 is internationally recognized by the UNESCO organization. The Agency for culture and education as a public institution is responsible for the organization and the possibility of professional development of educators at all levels of general education. When it comes to professional development, Croatian law holds that all educators have both the right and the obligation to educate and improve themselves by following the programs designated by the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports. This thesis aimed to determine how often educators participate in professional development programs and whether the programs are provided and financed by the educational institution where educators are employed. The theoretical part of the research showed the importance of lifelong education and professional development in the life and work of an individual. The analysis of the research revealed the importance of professional development and lifelong education of educators for the development of educators' knowledge, competences, and skills. The survey shows to what extent the educators are involved in the processes of professional development and lifelong education, and whether the educational institution where they work provides them the possibility of improvement and education. Furthermore, the motives for starting the professional development and the importance of the latter were established.