Day parents
Day parents in Reykjavík are independent and care for children from six/nine months old. Day parents set their own fee structure, but the City subsidizes a portion of the day care costs.
Applying to a day parent
To enroll your child with a day parent, contact the day parent directly. Keep in mind that many day parents have a wait list for spots, so it's a good idea to get in touch well in advance.
No openings are available. What should I do?
Day parents manage their own waitlists and can provide more information about their status. Even if no openings are available now, it may be worthwhile to contact them and discuss options. Other options to consider are independent preschools and City-run nursery schools.
What does day parent care cost?
Day parents set their own fee structure, but the City subsidizes a portion of the day care costs. Reykjavík City increases subsidies to day parents and guardian payments to day parents go down when a child turns 18 months old.
Day parent fees may be higher if they provide extra services not included in the day care fee, such as diapers and special diets.
How do subsidies work?
The subsidy for day care fees is determined by the guardian's marital status and educational enrollment. The subsidy is paid directly to day parents. This means the bill from the day parent already includes the subsidy. Guardians pay the remaining amount.
Reykjavík City increases subsidies to day parents and guardian payments to day parents go down when a child turns 18 months old. Guardians should then pay the same fee as for a child in a Reykjavík City preschool. Day parent fees may be higher if they provide extra services not included in the day care fee, such as diapers and special diets.
Selecting a day parent
Placing your child in day care for the first time is a big step, so it is important to make a careful decision and to thoroughly consider the circumstances. Day parents look after children from the age of six months and do important care and parenting work.
Improved conditions for day parents
We have improved the conditions for day parents to encourage new people to become day parents in Reykjavík. Establishment grants for day parents were raised with an annual facility grant and better continuing education. Subsidies for children 18 months and older were increased.
Do you want to become a day parent?
Day parents in Reykjavík are independent, but the Quality and Regulatory Authority for Welfare Services issues business licenses to them.
How can we help?
South Center has day-care advisors. They are responsible for the legal control of day parent activities, providing counseling to day parents, advising parents, and managing subsidies to day parents. Contact a day-care advisor at daggaesla.umsjon@reykjavik.is