Signing Up for Childcare in Denmark

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Signing Up for Childcare in Denmark

As a foreigner residing in Denmark, you may sign up for childcare services before your child reaches the age of 4 months old. However, both the parent as well as the child have to have a Civil Registration Number (CPR Number). You will also need a registered address.

In Denmark, daycare consists of two levels including Nursery (vuggestue) and Kindergarten (børnehave). Nursery is for kids between 6 months to 3 years. However, kindergarten is for children between 3 years and 6 years.

Raising a child irrespective of the country is challenging. However, Denmark has made work easy for the parents. This is because of the subsidized Danish welfare system. The framework supports the fact that parents need to work even after giving birth. In a family, the parents can also share parental leave which is beneficial to both parents. The reason is that every parent needs to bond with their kids.

In Denmark, most childcare facilities open from 6.30 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Thursday. However, on Friday, they are open up to 4 pm. Generally, the institutions are open 50 to 55 hours from Monday to Friday. During the weekends, all the day cares are closed. Besides, they are closed during some holidays such as December 24th and Constitution day.

Financing Day care

In terms of financing, childcare is financed by both the parents and municipalities. However, you have to also remember that the prices differ depending on the municipality. The parents having an annual income of up to 181, 701 get 100% economic subsidy from the municipality. The ones earning between DKK 181,701 and 189,817 get a 95% economic subsidy. Also, from DKK 189,818 to 576,799 they get economic subsidies reduced depending on their income. However, those earning over 576,800 and more do not get an economic subsidy.

Signing Up for Day care

As I said earlier, a CPR number is a must before registration. Also, for you to get one, you should have an address in Denmark. If you have the two, then you can sign up. This is done by contacting the municipality at your address or doing so by yourself on your municipality website. You will be on the waiting list before your child is accepted into any day-care. The reason is that they have to be sure that they have a chance.

When signing up, you will provide the following:

  • Address
  • The child’s name
  • Civil Registration number
  • The language the child is most influent in
  • Country of Origin
  • The contact information of the parents such as email and phone number.

The Common Practices in the Danish Childcare System

The language spoken is Danish in all the municipal day-care centres. However, the children who speak a different language will be slowly stimulated to learn Danish. At the age of three, all kids without Danish as their mother tongue are language assessed. The aim of this is for day care to offer the kids assistance in learning Danish.

Irrespective of the weather, the outdoor activities trips are common. In Danish, the weather can at times get windy and wet. Therefore, as a parent, you have to ensure that your kid has rubber boots as well as rainwear. You should also have a winter suit.

According to the law, the day care institutions in Denmark have to follow a curriculum strengthening the kinetic, spoken, and social skills of a child. Most of the staff members normally have over three years of experience in pedagogy. Besides, they focus on teaching the child values including responsibility and empathy for the people around them as well as themselves.

Parental Impact on the Day care

Parents have the opportunity of setting up a parent board whether the day care is contracted, self-owned, or municipally owned. It is the parent’s board that determines the principle for the day care finances and work. As for the private childcare institutions, the municipal board has to ensure that the parents have an impact in the independent day care institutions.

Day Care Benefits

The first benefit of the day care is that it increases the child’s social skills. The reason is they can interact with other kids. It enhances a child with the ability to build relationships. Additionally, a kid’s opportunity of building a positive relationship with new caregivers is important for their development.

Day-care enhances consistency and routine. A child having to practice a routine from a tender age is very important. In short, the day cares offer a structure for the children and this enables them to anticipate and even predict what may happen next.

The institution also fosters a kid’s independence and autonomy. This may help them lead a capable and confident life in the future. The strategy is achieved by the day cares offering kids endless opportunities in strengthening their skills.

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