About 200 at a meeting about the first nursery experience

It's fun at nursery school.

Around 200 people attended a parents' meeting hosted by the Department of Education and Public Health in the Haukar banquet hall yesterday morning. Around 330 children are starting nursery school for the first time in Hafnarfjörður's nurseries this autumn. The parents were told all about what the children's day will be like and what to expect when they start nursery school.

The room was buzzing with life as many parents brought their little ones with them. The meeting was well received, and the plan is to hold such a meeting every spring from now on.

Staff involved with the town's nursery school services gave a presentation. Bilingual staff were also on hand to support parents with foreign backgrounds.

Various practical information was presented at the meeting and the parents received advice:

Good to know about the nursery

• The settling-in period is a time when the child and parents get to know the nursery together.
• It's a phone-free time.
• Parents get to know the staff and the daily work of the department.
  The staff get to know the parent and child.
• Parents' calmness and trust helps the child to feel secure.
• We encourage parents to take part in play and activities with their child.
• It is a good idea to visit the nursery's playground before the settling-in period begins.

An explanation was given of how parents' evenings are conducted, and details were provided about parenting education evenings and parent-teacher conferences. Parents were informed that they would receive Friday emails from the class teacher.

Vala on formal communication

Parents were told about Vala, where formal communication takes place and children's illnesses are reported. There you can also find various information and a menu; you can also call and send text messages.

They also learned how the day at a nursery school is divided into structured activities and free play, and that the structured activities take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day. They were told that the school year lasts for 180 days a year. The other days would be registration days, and they were told how that works.

Parents were told about the six hours of free nursery school, but since the last New Year, the policy has been that children who attend for six hours or less only pay for food. See more here. They were also told how to apply to transfer their child between nurseries.

The children also get a summer holiday.

Children in nurseries in Hafnarfjörður take a four-week continuous summer holiday over the summer. Nursery schools close for three weeks, usually around mid-July and over the Bank Holiday weekend. However, one nursery school has a one-week summer opening, closing for two weeks instead of three. Children from other schools can be accommodated there.

The meeting also reviewed the City of Hafnarfjörður's education policy and the well-being of children, where services are integrated in the child's best interests. They were also informed about the city's support services.

Free interpreting service available

Yes, the council's services are aimed at improving the lives of residents. All parents are entitled to a free interpreting service. Parents were also advised that research shows that children who learn the community's language do better academically and with their integration. To ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, the council has intercultural bridge-builders. They support families and help with integration and information.