A major boost for nursery education in Hafnarfjörður

Significant funds allocated to increased benefits and improved terms for nursery staff

One of the main focuses of the City of Hafnarfjörður's budget for 2022 is to create even better and more attractive working conditions in the town's nurseries. The aim is to enhance the nursery school sector, promote its well-deserved respect, reduce the workload and increase interest in the profession. Among the measures to be implemented in the coming year is the following:

• Nursery staff receive a 75% discount on nursery fees
• The management ratio for deputy head teachers in all nurseries will be increased by 20-35% to strengthen professional work.
• Benefits and allowances for nursery staff will be increased, including an increase in fixed overtime for all and a car and phone allowance for managers.
• Guidance and training for nursery staff will be enhanced.
• Provisions will be made for the expansion of the Smáralundur nursery by one unit, with the aim of gradually lowering the minimum age for admission to 12 months over the coming years.
• Flexible visiting hours will be introduced, as a step towards shorter stays for children.

 
„Over the past few months and terms, we have been weighing up ways and discussing ideas on how we can strengthen the nurseries in Hafnarfjörður and improve the conditions and terms for staff. This was done, among other things, through discussions with every single nursery head in the town. The conclusion is to place emphasis on the above-mentioned points in the new financial year. With these measures, we want to respond to the call of nursery staff, and to do so beyond the scope of the collective agreement.I believe this represents a major milestone in this regard.The discussion about nursery issues in Hafnarfjörður has been harsh and has not been conducive to fostering satisfaction or interest in the work. Now we must pull together and ensure the nursery sector receives the recognition and interest it deserves.. The measures have been introduced to nursery heads. who expressed great satisfaction and there is optimism that they achieve the intended result,“ says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the mayor.   

^{A nationwide shortage of nursery teachers calls for more radical measures}

^{Now, society must pull together to ensure the nursery school stage receives the recognition and attention it deserves.}

Greater emphasis placed on professional practice and management – every effort made to strengthen the nursery school stage 

Training contracts and support for unskilled workers to gain qualifications in their profession have, for some time, been one of the cornerstones of the council's initiatives and have proved very popular. A nationwide shortage of nursery teachers calls for more radical measures, and in the plans for the coming year, the local authority is placing even greater emphasis on training contracts, grants and courses, and an increase in fixed overtime for all staff at the nurseries.  With an increased management role for the deputy head teacher of 20-35% in each nursery school, the professional work within the schools is given greater importance. In recent years, the City of Hafnarfjörður has focused on strengthening the nursery school stage and ensuring better working conditions for the first stage of education. This has been achieved by introducing flexible hours, which are intended to promote a shorter working week for everyone, both children and staff.  The stay time for Icelandic children is the longest known in the world. This approach is intended to consider the welfare of children and accommodate the working environment for everyone in nurseries. The implementation of flexible opening hours will be worked on in consultation with nursery heads.