6-hour Free Kindergarten in Hafnarfjörður

Kindergarten for Families

A six-hour or shorter free kindergarten stay came into effect at the turn of the year in Hafnarfjörður. Parents who enroll their children for six hours or less only pay for meals.

“With a six-hour free kindergarten, we are easing the burden on families and strengthening the balance between family life and work,” says Valdimar Víðisson, mayor of Hafnarfjörður.

“At the same time, we ensure that the quality of kindergarten services remains high and that equality prevails regardless of parents’ circumstances. We want to offer greater flexibility and equal access to high-quality kindergarten services without compromising quality.”

This change does not affect families who need longer daycare for their children. Fees for full-day care increase only in line with the general municipal fee increase at the turn of the year.

Kindergarten is the first stage of schooling and plays a key role in children’s development. It lays the foundation for language development, social skills, and learning in a safe and professional environment where the quality of the staff is crucial for continued schooling.

How does the six-hour free kindergarten work?

• The kindergarten day remains unchanged. Structured professional activities and support services take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., while free playtime is available from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
• If the stay starts at 8 a.m., the six-hour free care ends at 2 p.m., and at 3 p.m. if the stay starts at 9 a.m. Days can be of different lengths as long as the total stay does not exceed 30 hours per week.
• The only requirement is a minimum stay of four hours per day on all weekdays.

Hafnarfjörður municipality encourages parents and guardians to explore this new arrangement. The goal is to ensure quality, flexibility, and equality for all families.