3.4.1. Objectives and accessibility

Family kindergartens ('familiebarnehager', see the Kindergarten Act, Section 15) provide another type of pre-primary education, usually for children under the age of 3 years. The Ministry for Education and Research is responsible for home-based ECEC provision as they are of centre-based provision. The same Framework plan applies to family kindergartens as to other kindergartens. Family kindergartens do not constitute a significant part of ECEC provision, as only about 1% of children attend family kindergartens. To get a place in a family kindergarten parents have to apply to the Municipality ECEC portal (‘oppvekstportal’) and follow the municipal kindergarten database, which decides on assignment of places based on deadlines, seniority and priority. Family kindergartens are centre-based kindergartens and an assistant under the supervision of a kindergarten teacher, who normally has responsibility for several homes.

3.4.2. Requirements for childminders and child ratios

An assistant can be responsible for up to five children if most of them are more than 3 years old. If most of them are under 3 years old, the assistant can be responsible for fewer children. Assistants require no particular level of education. The kindergarten teacher can supervise assistants responsible for up to 30 children.

For information about required minimal qualifications and opportunities for CPD, see chapter 8.