Child care

(Barnomsorg)

Child care, which consists of educational activities, enables parents to work or study. Children whose parents are looking for a job or taking care of their younger siblings at home are also entitled to child care. In addition to child care run by the municipality, cooperative and private alternatives are often available.

Open nursery schools

(Öppen förskola)

Open nursery schools serve as a place where parents and young children can get together and play. Although the schools are staffed, every child must be accompanied by a parent. Each school is run by the municipality, the church or another organization. Parents can take their children free of charge whenever the school is open without registering in advance.

Nursery schools

(Förskola för de små barnen)

All 1-5 year-olds in Sweden have the right to attend nursery school while their parents are working or studying.

Both municipal and private nursery schools are available. Children can also go to a family day nursery (child minder). In some cases, municipalities may also provide child care in the evening or at night if parents are at work.

All nursery schools must follow the same rules but may use different teaching methods. Nursery school children are given care, instruction, security, help in developing and the opportunity to play.

Children whose native tongue is other than Swedish have the chance to improve in both languages.

Staff members with academic training are called nursery school teachers. Those with upper secondary training are referred to as child minders.

Parents who want to apply for their children to attend a municipal nursery school should contact the municipality. Private nursery schools have their own queues – parents must contact the school directly to apply. Parents pay a fee for their children to attend nursery school. Private and municipal nursery schools cost the same. The fee is based on income.

Orientation at nursery school

(Inskolning på förskola)

Orientation helps children who start nursery school get used to the new setting and group of people. It also gives parents a chance to become acquainted with a place that will be big part of their children’s lives.

Parental participation in child care

(Föräldrars delaktighet i barnomsorgen)

Nursery schools and family day nurseries cooperate with parents to ensure that child care will be as effective as possible. Progress reviews, parent-teacher meetings and parent’s councils allow for discussion about how nursery schools work and how children are doing.

Children often respond positively when their parents get involved in their nursery school, while parents have the chance to understand more about their children’s life and development.