In Norway, kindergarten is an important part of childhood. It is a safe place where children can play, explore, make friends and learn through everyday activities. Kindergarten is not school, but it helps children feel ready for school later on. Children can attend kindergarten from the age of 10 months and until they start school.

Most children in Gjesdal attend an ordinary kindergarten, which can be publicly or privately owned. Everyone can apply, and the kindergartens follow national regulations for quality and safety. You can find an overview of all kindergartens in Gjesdal here. 

In Ålgård, there is also an open kindergarten (Åpen lekestue). This is a drop-in service where adults stay together with their children. It is a nice place to meet other parents and for children to play with others in a safe environment. You can read more about Ålgård Åpen lekestue here. Even though the open kindergarten is offered by the church, it is open for everyone regardless of religion. 

Applications for ordinary kindergartens are sent digitally through the municipality’s website. There are application deadlines, and you can apply to 4 kindergartens at the same time. More information about how to apply can be found here. 

Kindergarten fees depend on income. Information is available here. 

A typical day in kindergarten

Each kindergarten is a little different, but most days follow a familiar and safe routine.

• Opening hours are usually Mondays to Fridays, 7:00–16:30
  • If your child is absent, or arriving later than is expected, please inform the kindergarten
• A child can spend 6–8 hours per day 
• Daily routine may include: 
  • Breakfast and lunch  
  • Indoor and outdoor play (also in winter) 
  • Learning activities and group gatherings (“samling” or “samlingsstund”) 
  • Rest or nap time for young children

Drop-off and pickup

When you drop off your child in the morning, it is common to come inside together, help your child wash their hands, and say goodbye with a staff member. At pickup, parents usually come inside and help their child wash their hands before going home. This is part of the daily routine and helps prevent illness and infection.

At pickup, staff will often share a few words about your child’s day. It is helpful to make contact with staff both when you arrive and when you leave. In the afternoon, children are not always ready to go home right away, so it can be good to allow a little extra time. If someone else will pick up your child, please inform the kindergarten in advance.

Outdoor life and clothing

Children in Norwegian kindergartens spend a lot of time outdoors. They even sleep outside, with staff supervision, of course! This can be surprising for many parents, especially during winter and in all kinds of weather.

For this reason, it is important that parents pack the right clothing for their children. Staff are happy to guide you on what kind of clothing your child needs for different seasons, and they will make sure that your child is dressed properly to stay warm and safe. Much of the equipment can be bought second-hand.

You can read more about appropriate winter clothes for children here. The website also has information in many other languages, which you can check out here. 

Clothing and equipment – what to bring

To help your child have a comfortable day in kindergarten, it is important to:

• Bring spare clothes, as children may get wet or dirty during the day 
• Label all clothes and equipment with your child’s name
• If your child uses diapers, please provide: 
  • Diapers (with tabs, not pull-up/up-and-go)
  • Wet or dry wipes
  • Diaper cream 
  • It is also recommended to have swimming diapers in the kindergarten, as children may use a splash pool
  • The kindergarten provides towels and changing mats 
• For nap time, parents provide:
  • Stroller
  • Stroller bag suited to the season
  • Rain cover and mosquito net 
  • The stroller can stay at the kindergarten or be brought daily 

Food and meals

Mealtimes are an important part of the day. Some kindergartens provide meals, while others ask parents to bring food from home. Children eat together, and staff help the children when needed. You will get information from your kindergarten about what applies regarding mealtimes. Please inform the kindergarten if your child needs special considerations related to food such as allergies or religious restrictions, or if there is any special medication that they need. 

If your child is unwell, it is recommended that they stay at home. Please inform the staff if your child will be absent. Signs of illness can include unusual tiredness, nausea, low energy, or poor appetite. Children who have vomiting or diarrhea should usually stay at home for at least 48 hours after they are symptom-free, even if they do not have a fever. If you are unsure whether your child should attend kindergarten, you are welcome to contact the staff for advice.

Children in kindergarten have several weeks of holiday each year. The kindergarten will provide information about holiday planning and closing days.

Kindergartens often mark children’s birthdays and celebrate different holidays and traditions. This helps create a sense of belonging and gives children the opportunity to learn about different cultures and ways of life.

Kindergarten and parents work closely together to support the child, and have regular parent-staff meetings (foreldresamtaler) and parent meetings (foreldremøter). Kindergartens may also have parent committees such asFAU (Foreldrenes arbeidsutvalg) andSU (Samarbeidsutvalget).

Kindergartens in Norway work actively to ensure that all children feel safe, included and respected. Staff follow clear routines to prevent and handle bullying, conflicts or situations where a child is struggling. If concerns arise, the kindergarten will work closely with parents to understand the situation and find good solutions. Parents are encouraged to contact the kindergarten if they are worried about their child’s well-being. Open communication helps ensure that all children have a safe and positive experience in kindergarten.

Starting kindergarten is a big step for both children and parents. Most kindergartens recommend a settling-in period of about five days, where a parent stays with the child at first. Each child is assigned a primary contact person who has extra responsibility during the settling-in period. This person will help plan the start of the period and, together with you, assess when your child is ready to stay without a parent. This usually happens when the child feels safe and comfortable in the kindergarten. It is normal for goodbyes to be emotional at the beginning, and staff are experienced in supporting both children and parents through this transition. Bringing a comfort object, such as a favorite toy or blanket, can also be helpful.

Many kindergartens use digital tools to share information with parents such as:

• MyKid – communication and messages
• Kvalitetshjulet – information about kindergarten quality
• Tegnordbok – sign language support
• Deiyngste.no – ideas and activities for young children

Dagsrytme
Daily routine – how the day is organized, for example meals, playtime and rest

FAU (Foreldrenes arbeidsutvalg)
Parents’ committee – parents who help represent families and cooperate with the kindergarten

Foreldremøte
Parent meeting – a meeting for all parents in the kindergarten

Foreldresamtale
Parent-staff meeting – a meeting where parents and staff talk about the child’s development and well-being

Levering / henting
Drop-off / pick-up of your child

Planleggingsdag
Planning day – a day when the kindergarten is closed and staff have training or planning

Primærkontakt
Primary contact – a staff member who has extra responsibility for your child, especially at the start

Samling / samlingsstund
Group time – children sit together to sing, listen to stories or talk as a group

Skift / skiftetøy
Spare clothes

SU (Samarbeidsutvalget)
Kindergarten committee – a group of parents and staff who work together to support the kindergarten and make sure parents’ voices are heard

Syk / fravær
Sick / absence

Tilvenning / tilvenningsperiode
Settling-in period – the first days or weeks when a child gets used to kindergarten, often with a parent present

Utelek / utetid
Outdoor play / Outside time

Åpningstider
Opening hours

You can always ask the kindergarten staff if you are unsure about a word or routine. They are used to explaining and helping new families.