Early childhood education in Norway is widely available. The government provides 46 weeks of paid parental leave that can be split between parents, and additional cash support for families with young children. Nearly all children attend public or private preschool beginning between 1-2 years old, where education is play-based and focuses on outdoor activities. The education system is aimed at providing high-quality and accessible early childhood education for all.

1. Early childhood education in Norway ( Norge )

2. NORWAY Scandinavia

3. POPULATION in Norway 31.12.2010 4.930.000 (49.99% women / 50.01% men) Born every year ab. 60.000 1.98 birth rate per fertile woman 24% - 18 years and younger 15% - older than 60 Immigrants in Norway 12% – in Oslo (pop. 600.000) 28 %

4. Example Oslo

5. Immigrant children

6. FAMILY POLICY Parents leave:46 weeks (100%) or 56 weeks (80%) Mothers: 3 weeks before birth + 6 weeks after birth Fathers: 10 weeks ‘ Kontantstøtte’ (Cash-support) Child -/family allowances Child: the right to have a place in a pre-school, from 1 year.

7. EDUCATION POLICY Ministry of Education and Research: 1 – 6 years pre-school/home 6 – 13 years primary school 13 – 16 years secondary school 16 – 19 years upper-secondary school

8. Higher education Higher education for work in schools and pre-schools University / University college Teacher training academy (different courses)

9. Special education All children are attending ordinary classes in pre-schools and schools. Some special schools for groups of children (special needs) Language-support for immigrant children

10. PRE-SCHOOLS

11. Children in preschool in 2010 (0 – 1 years Parent leave + ‘Kontantstøtte’ (Cash-support)) 1 – 2 years 80 % 3 – 5 years 98 % 1 – 5 years 90 % 280 000 children in Norwegian pre-schools

12. Children in public and private pre-schools Total number of children in pre-schools 280 000 (2010) Public pre-schools 3 100 Private pre-schools 3 600 Private home pre-schools 1 600 (small units/ 1-2 y.)

13. Organisation Total number employed in these schools: 85 000 persons 35 % pedagogical educated (teachers) 65 % no formal education (assistants)

14. Policy documents Law for preschools National curriculum for content and task in the preschools Methodological guidelines (gender, participation, IKT) Other policy documents from the Ministry (language, going to school)

15. Dilemmas Each school decide its own programme Each pedagogue (and assistant) is responsible for initiating the programme Results are not in demand Policy documents are not followed?

16. Environment for play and learn

18. Outdoor activities – and learning

19. The cradle of skiing 

20. . and this is what its all about .