Kindergarten

Kindergarten is important for children’s linguistic, social and physical development. Research shows that children who start kindergarten early have a head start in mathematics and language when they start school, compared to those who start later.

In kindergarten, children are cared for by responsible adults and get to play, learn and take part in various social and cultural indoor and outdoor activities. There are both public and private kindergartens, and going to kindergarten is optional for all children. 

The price for a place in a kindergarten may vary. The maximum price for a kindergarten place is set at NOK 2,000 per month. A meals fee comes in addition, which varies between 200 and 400 NOK. There are various schemes that enable low-income families to pay a reduced kindergarten fee, both through their municipality and through NAV.

Contact the municipality where you live for more information about kindergartens, opening hours and how to apply for a place.

Kindergartens in your area 

Here you can find kindergartens near your address. You can also search for your municipality and see all the kindergartens in your municipality. 

How to find a kindergarten for your child

To find a kindergarten in Norway and register your child, you can follow these steps:

1. Search for kindergartens in your area 

Websites such as Barnehagefakta.no and Barnehagelisten have information about kindergartens in different areas, which can help you compare and choose the best option for your child. They also provide information about opening hours, space per child and key figures about the staff. 

2. Choose a kindergarten

Compare different kindergartens to find one that suits your child’s needs and your family.

3. Apply for a kindergarten place

Find the application form on the municipality’s website.
Most municipalities have an application deadline of 1 March, but check with your municipality to be sure.

4. Visit the kindergarten

To ensure you choose the right kindergarten, it may be useful to visit potential kindergartens, meet the staff, and look at the kindergarten’s facilities and programme.

Cooperation between the kindergarten and home 

Good cooperation between you and the kindergarten is necessary for your child’s development and well-being. The cooperation is a mutual responsibility between you and the kindergarten, but it is the kindergarten’s responsibility to facilitate this.

The kindergarten may have expectations of you as a parent, such as keeping appointments with the kindergarten, what your child should bring to the kindergarten and what you as a parent should notify the kindergarten about. 

The kindergarten is responsible for providing information about the Norwegian kindergarten scheme, and about the opportunities and expectations the kindergarten has of cooperation. The kindergarten often has a set schedule for the day and a plan for the short term. It may be a good idea for you as a parent to familiarise yourself with these. 

Use of interpreters in kindergarten and school

Good communication is important in meetings between parents and the school to safeguard the student’s rights and avoid misunderstandings. The school and kindergarten can book an interpreter through the interpreting service. Using an interpreter may be important initially to ensure staff and parents have understood each other. 

Leisure activities 

Leisure activities are an important part of everyday life for many children and young people in Norway. Examples of leisure activities are sports, cultural and creative activities such as dance, music and art. Leisure activities are a great way to get to know new people, learn about your new community and language. In Norway, there are many organisations and groups that run leisure activities for children and young people. 

Would you like to find a leisure activity that suits your child? Then go to Ungfritid.no! 

You can also ask employees in the municipality about leisure activities, such as the refugee service, Nav or the leisure activity service in the municipality.

Public playgrounds and outdoor areas

Playgrounds are important meeting places in the community. In Norway, there are many good outdoor areas for children and young people, which offer varied opportunities for play and socialising  and where children can climb, slide and go on swings and develop their motor skills. It is also a great place to get to know neighbours and make new friends. The playgrounds are open and accessible to everyone.