Important to review preschool applications by March 2
The allocation of preschool openings for fall 2026 will soon begin at all City preschools. Enrollment begins March 2, 2026, with applications processed through April 15, 2026. During this period, new applications won't be accepted, and submitted applications can't be changed until after May 10.
All applications go through Vala
In the first round, children born in February 2025 or earlier will be offered openings. Most openings become available when an entire class of children starts primary school, and at nursery schools when openings become available as older children transfer to regular preschools. The first offers will be sent out shortly after enrollment begins, but it usually takes several weeks to allocate the openings known to become available in the fall.
A reminder that applications for both city-operated and private preschools must be submitted through Vala. It will not be possible to make changes to applications or submit new applications during the allocation process.
Parents and legal guardians must review their applications before March 2.
Which children might expect to receive offers?
The process will begin with applications for children born in February 2025 or earlier — these are children who will be 18 months old on Sept. 1, 2026. The system is based on national ID number order, with offers made sequentially by age.
Exceptions to this order are made for children who have received approved priority for preschool, for example due to disability or serious social conditions. Private preschools prioritize children who have legal residence in Reykjavík, are next in national ID number order and select that preschool as their first choice during the period from March 1 to April 15. Private preschools in Reykjavík have agreements allowing for exceptions to enrollment based on national ID number order in some cases, such as to fill gender quotas or to stay within the preschool's age requirements.
At city-operated nursery schools (Bríetartún and Hallgerðargata), you can apply for children ages 12-24 months, based on the child's age on Sept. 1. At private nursery schools (Ársól, Lundi, Krílasel, Sólgarður), you can apply for children ages 9-24 months, with eligibility based on the child's age on Sept. 1. Note that a requirement for enrollment at Sólgarður is that a parent must be studying at the University of Iceland.
Applications received after March 2 will be added to the waitlist after April 15.
Can I see where my child is on the waitlist?
You can see your child's status on the waitlist at schools you applied to through Vala preschool. When filling out an application for the first time, you must list a minimum of two and a maximum of seven preschools. We encourage you to carefully review your child's application to ensure your choices are correctly recorded. If a parent chooses a private preschool, this will be visible in Vala. You can change or add preschools, up to seven, until March 2.
The Preschool Admission Tracker is built on live data
The Preschool Admission Tracker is user-friendly. Enter your child's birth date and neighborhood to see estimated waitlist positions at local preschools. The result is based on the child's birth date, applications already received, the number of children leaving due to starting elementary school and other variables. You can see locations on a map and compare preschools near your home or workplace. The Preschool Admission Tracker is built on live data, which is updated daily. Results from the tracker are not a guarantee of an opening. It shows your child's potential rank on the waitlist for the preschools you're considering on that day, but this position can change as the number of applications fluctuates.
The Preschool Admission Tracker currently includes only municipal preschools.
If you have any questions, please contact Reykjavík City's service center at 411 1111, the live chat on the website or the email address innritun.leikskolar@reykjavik.is.