15 percent have already changed their hours of stay
Reykjavík's Preschool Initiative takes effect April 1, 2026, following changes to the Rules on Preschool Services approved by the City Executive Council today.
The new fee schedule provides free preschool for 36 hours per week, with families paying only for food when hours of stay fall within these limits. Fees for 38 hours will be very modest — about 7,000 króna per month.
Current discount categories will be phased out, with parent and guardian income determining which discount category applies. Families will need to apply for income-based discounts, with details to be announced later. Discounts take effect April 1.
- Employee discount will be 50% off tuition.
- Sibling discount remains unchanged.
Vala now open for changes to hours of stay
About 15 percent of parents and guardians have already changed their children's hours of stay, with changes taking effect this coming April 1.
To help parents and guardians make changes to hours of stay when the new rules take effect, the advance notice requirement for changes has been temporarily shortened.
Parents who want to change hours of stay need to apply through Vala.
Due to ongoing fee schedule changes, the following deadlines apply for processing applications:
- Applications received March 1-15, 2026, take effect April 1, 2026.
- Applications received March 16-31, 2026, take effect April 15, 2026.
- Applications received April 1-15, 2026, take effect May 1, 2026.
Starting May 1, 2026, regular rules for changing hours of stay under the Rules on Preschool Services will resume, requiring one month advance notice.
Care must begin by 9 a.m.
The new Rules on Preschool Services require care to begin before 9 a.m.. Families with care that currently begins after 9 a.m. have until July 31, 2026, to make schedule changes. If no change request is received by that date, schedules will automatically change to 9 a.m. starting Sept. 1, 2026.
Sibling consideration and sibling grouping
Opportunities for siblings to get openings at the same preschool have been expanded under the new rules. Sibling consideration applies generally, but sibling grouping will now apply during main enrollment.
Main enrollment has used sibling consideration until now — when one opening is available at an older sibling's preschool, the child at the top of the waiting list can be offered a spot at another preschool (that parents have chosen) so siblings can be together. The new rules go further to unite siblings during main enrollment through what's called sibling grouping. When one opening is available, staff will check whether up to three children can be offered spots at another preschool (that parents have chosen) so siblings can be grouped together.
Certain conditions apply to both sibling consideration and sibling grouping, with details available on Reykjavík City's website.
Optional care days are typically 9-11 days per year and mostly follow primary school holidays around Easter, winter break and Christmas, as previously. Registration for these days now takes place twice a year:
- Sept. 10-20 for the fall semester.
- Jan. 10-20 for the spring semester.
Optional care days
Registration is conducted through Vala. Each optional care day costs 5,000 króna, added to the monthly fee. Sibling discount applies with the younger sibling receiving a 50% discount and the third child receiving a full discount. Other discounts don't apply to optional care days. Payments for optional care days are collected in the month the day occurs.
Preschools will be closed one day during February winter break, and in 2027 that day will be Feb. 22. This change aims to align the planning and school calendars of Reykjavík City preschools and primary schools.
Parents are encouraged to learn about Reykjavík's Preschool Initiative on the City's website, where you can find answers to frequently asked questions. Families can also use the calculator on the site to see how the new fee schedule might affect each household.