Kindergarten in Norway

Kindergarten (barnehage) is an early childhood education and care service for children before they start school.

Children who meet the statutory conditions have a right to a kindergarten place in the municipality where they live.

A child who turns one year old by the end of August in the year the application is made normally has a right to a kindergarten place from August. Children who turn one in September, October or November have a right to a place by the end of the month in which they turn one.

The municipality sets the application deadline for kindergarten admission. The deadline can therefore be different from one municipality to another.

Parents should apply through the municipality's kindergarten admission system. Municipalities may have both municipal and private kindergartens.

The right is to a kindergarten place in the municipality where the child lives. It does not normally give the child a right to a specific kindergarten.

Kindergarten is not compulsory. It is an educational service that supports children's development, learning, play and social participation before school.

Kindergartens follow a national framework plan that describes their responsibilities and the content of the kindergarten service.

Children can develop language skills through everyday activities, play and interaction with other children and adults.

If a family has recently moved to Norway, the municipality can provide information about available kindergarten places and the application procedure.

Parents should check the municipality's website for application deadlines, available kindergartens, fees and admission procedures.

Some municipalities also offer open kindergarten (åpen barnehage). This is a supplementary service where parents or guardians normally stay together with their children while participating in activities with other families. It does not replace an ordinary kindergarten place.

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