Ragnhildur, a nursery school teacher for over half a century

Nursery teacher for 51 years

„Yes, of course. I find it so much fun. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing it,“ says Ragnhildur Sigmundsdóttir, when asked if she would choose to be a nursery school teacher again if she had a fresh start now that her career is coming to an end. She has retired as a nursery school teacher after 51 years in the job.

„I've often thought; why did I get into this?“ The opportunity arose for her when she came south, not yet eighteen, and started working at a nursery school on 1 February 1973. Ragnhildur has worked at the nursery Hvammi for the last 21 years and in Hafnarfjörður since 1989. „The first 10 years at Hjalli.“

But what is it like to be a nursery teacher? „Just like any other job,“ she says, laughing, and describes the nursery teacher training she did in Denmark. „When I graduated there in 1981, they were talking about the average career of a nursery teacher in Denmark being 8 years. I feel I've done rather well,“ she says, laughing. They were discussing how hearing deteriorates and people struggle with back problems.

„I found it grim to think that people were spending three years educating themselves to work for eight. And that was the average, so some had quit earlier.“

Priceless at work

Ásta María Björnsdóttir, the nursery head teacher, is delighted to have had Ragnhildur on her staff. „It's a great achievement to be on the floor in a nursery for so long,“ she says. „It's invaluable to have had her.“ She describes how Ragnhildur kept the Icelandic language alive for the children and was popular. This could be seen that day when she read to the children, and they sat attentively and quietly, engrossed in the story.

But hasn't nursery education changed much in 50 years? „Of course,“ replies Ragnhildur. „When I started working in a nursery, there was no full-time care except for children whose parents were single or who were students.“ The nursery was open from 6.30 am to 7.30 pm.

„But the thing was, when the children turned six, they had to stop. Even if it was in January and a long way until the next school term,“ she explains. „I thought it was unfair and was worried.“

Early years work from Djúpin

Ragnhildur lives in Hafnarfjörður and has one daughter who worked for a time at the nursery during her studies. She is from Látrar in the Ísafjörður Fjord. She is the eldest of six siblings who were born close together. „I left home when I was 10, you could say. I had to go to a school in Reykjanes. I was there for a whole month at a time. There wasn't a soul to tell you what to do; you were supposed to look after yourself,“ Ragnhildur explains. Seventeen years separate her from her mother.

„My mum had been at this school and she was telling me that when she was there, there was an adult who would play with them in the evenings. We didn't see an adult,“ describes Ragnhildur.

„The person who taught me for all three years at primary school had become a secondary school teacher in Reykjanes the year before he started teaching there,“ she describes. „It was Skarphéðinn who took over much later. He was cool and cool with us and the only discipline we had,“ Ragnhildur describes the 18-19-year-old teacher.

Ragnhildur is looking forward to some lovely days. „I'm going to enjoy life,“ she says. „There's plenty to do. To start with, there are walks and treats. Having the time to do that every single day. That's going to be lovely. Then I'm looking forward to a good time not having to be dictated to by the clock. That's a good thought.“

But will she miss the children? „Of course. And coming into this house. It's been so strange that when I come in, the house welcomes you. It's always good to come here. It's always been like that.“

Ragga – My heartfelt thanks for all the years.