The Hafnarfjörður nursery school Álfasteinn receives the Orðsporið 2026 on Nursery School Day, which is today, 6 February. It is traditional to present Orðsporið, the nursery's incentive award, on this joyous day. There were around fifty nominations, and Álfasteinn was the successful recipient.
Today, Álfasteinn Nursery School received the Reputation 2026 award for professionalism, reflection and ambitious development work based on academic foundations and collaboration.
Sigurður Sigurjónsson, chairman of the Association of Preschool Managers, presented the award to Inga Líndal, head teacher of Álfasteinn preschool, at a ceremony held at the preschool this morning. Valdimar Víðisson, the Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, also presented them with flowers, and he and Kristín Thoroddsen, Chair of the Education Committee, congratulated them on behalf of the town.
The review by the Reputation Selection Committee states that the school's targeted policy of encouraging staff to study for a qualification in early years education has created „a strong professional environment where research, practitioner research and shared responsibility for the quality of the school's work are guiding principles“.
A statement from the Icelandic Teachers' Association says that the teachers Helga Guðmundsdóttir and Hjördís Jónsdóttir, in the opinion of the selection committee, have shown professional courage through practitioner research; they have systematically examined their own work, asked critical questions and developed new approaches in their teaching, particularly concerning methods that can influence the formation of relationships and communication with parents.
„The staff research has led to real changes in practice. Connection Circles and Communication Circles have been introduced, where teachers assess their relationship with each child four times a year. This systematic approach ensures that no child is marginalised and that timely action is taken if relationships are weak. This has succeeded in strengthening children's security, teachers“ professional awareness and collaboration within the teams," the report states.
The review panel's report also states that surveys of parents show a measurable increase in satisfaction with the school's induction process after the changes were implemented. Parent-teacher meetings, which typically take place six to eight weeks after the settling-in period, have become an important professional space for feedback and dialogue – strengthening the trust of parents and guardians in teachers and staff.
„The school's work shows how targeted development, based on academic research and collaboration, can create lasting benefits for children, parents and the community as a whole,“ states the conclusion of the selection panel's review.
The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður also received the award in 2023. This was for the progressive step of harmonising the opening hours of the municipality's nurseries and primary schools, thereby making the school year for these two educational stages comparable.
The Icelandic Teachers' Union, The Association of Preschool Teachers, The Association of Preschool Managers, The Ministry of Education and Children's Affairs, The Association of Icelandic Local Authorities and Home-School Association.
The Álfasteinn nursery school opened in March 2001. The nursery school is situated high on a hill in the south of town, and its immediate surroundings are lava fields and the seafront. On average, just over sixty children attend the nursery school.
The motto of Álfasteinn is: Responsibility, respect, cooperation.
The Icelandic Teachers' Association sincerely congratulates Álfasteinn Nursery School on its recognition. We do so.
