Better preschool work environment and free 36-hour childcare
The Preschool Initiative in Reykjavík was discussed at a City Executive Council meeting this morning and referred to today's City Council meeting starting at noon.
Reykjavík's Preschool Initiative includes significant changes to preschool fees that are designed to increase stability and improve the work environment. The plan offers 36 hours of free childcare, reasonable fees for 38-hour care and increased discounts for single parents and low-income families. It will also focus on enhancing professional standards and improving staff's Icelandic language skills.
The City Council's discussion on the issue are streamed live.
These proposals are based on extensive consultation with parents, staff, preschool directors and labor unions. The City also reviewed nearly 200 official statements submitted through the Consultation Portal.
The reforms aim to foster and increase stability in Reykjavík's preschool system by improving conditions for preschool staff, supporting professional development, and maintaining fair fees.
36 hours of free childcare
One of the biggest changes is offering 36 hours of free preschool care per week. Parents only pay for food if their hours of stay fall within this limit. This change represents a significant benefit for many parents and will reduce fees for numerous families. Savings can reach up to 168,000 króna per year.
Reasonable fee for 38 hours of childcare
The fee for 38 hours of care will be very reasonable at just 7,000 króna per month, plus food costs. This is significantly lower than previous proposals and specifically reflects parent feedback from the consultation process. Fee schedule - calculator
Increased assistance for single parents and low-income families
New discount categories will help those who need longer care hours and are specifically designed to support single parents and low-income households. This addresses the main suggestions received during the consultation process.
Services are not being reduced
Maximum hours of stay remain unchanged at up to 42.5 hours per week, and no changes are being made to the total number of preschool openings. As a result, families who need longer care hours still have that option available.
Impact of the changes - examples
Better work environment and greater stability
The changes aim to improve working conditions and stability in preschools. In recent years, capital area municipalities have shortened children's care hours, and competition for staff has created challenges in Reykjavík.
The new Preschool Initiative aims to:
- Reduce understaffing
- Increase predictability
- Enhance professional practices
- Ensure more stable staffing throughout the year
The City is asking parents to cooperate by registering only for the hours of care they actually need. Data shows that parents currently pay for an average of about 10% longer care than they use, which requires more staff at certain times of day than necessary.
Information page about improvements in preschool learning and work environment
Improved sibling enrollment priority
The proposals maintain sibling enrollment with certain conditions met during the main enrollment that takes place mostly in March. Conditions include listing the preschool where a sibling is already enrolled as the first choice, ensuring the older sibling will remain there for at least six more months, and having the same family number in the national registry.
Increased support for staff with a native language other than Icelandic
Various measures will be implemented to improve Icelandic language skills of staff of foreign origin and strengthen children's Icelandic language environment in preschools. The goal is to promote better communication, clear guidance and a stronger professional environment.
New preschool facility supervisors
To ensure better facility security, new positions will be created for preschool facility supervisors who will handle minor maintenance and daily facility operations. This will also significantly reduce facility management tasks for preschool directors.
Optional care days twice a year
To ensure proper registration and improve staffing planning, parents will be offered the opportunity to register their children's care on school holidays twice a year:
- Sept. 10-20 (for days leading up to New Year's)
- Jan. 10-20 (for spring semester)
The fee for each optional care day will be 5,000 króna, consistent with recreation fees on these days. Preschools will then be closed the second day in February during primary school winter break. This measure is the first step in aligning the planning and school calendars of preschools and primary schools.
Equality impact assessment: Significantly lower fees for a large group
An equality impact assessment shows that the new fee schedule will result in significant reductions for a large group of parents. The increases primarily affect the longest hours of stay and higher-income parents. The assessment found no significant negative gendered impacts, but officials will closely monitor any effects on the division of labor within households.