Daycare providers share in many hearts  

Hildur and María receive recognition for 20 years of professional work as day-care providers.  

Daycare providers are a vital pillar of the childcare sector. Today, there are a total of 26 childminders working in Hafnarfjörður, many of whom have dedicated themselves to the profession and can boast long careers, invaluable experience, and memories and connections that last a lifetime. Hildur Guðmundsdóttir and María Kristinsdóttir have been working as childminders since 2002, and the City of Hafnarfjörður would like to thank them wholeheartedly with a visit and a small token of appreciation for their professional and wonderful contribution to childcare in Hafnarfjörður.

Maria Kristinsdottir, a day-care provider in Ásland, with María Baldursdóttir, a day-care and enrolment officer for the City of Hafnarfjörður.

Hildur Guðmundsdóttir, a childminder in Ásland, with María Baldursdóttir, childcare and enrolment officer for the City of Hafnarfjörður.

A creative and rewarding job based on trust

The work of childminders is varied and creative and is fundamentally based on a good and trusting relationship between the child, the childminder and the parents. Childminders have a small group of the youngest children in their care at a time in life when discovery and learning are so great. The happy and joyful moments that accompany the early years, the children's experiences and learning, become a kind of shared property between the childminder and the parents, and the childminder gains a place in the hearts of many children and parents. This is how many children of all ages remember them, among others, Hildur and María.

Hafnarfjörður wants to increase the number of day-care providers.

Daycare providers in Hafnarfjörður are self-employed but receive a licence to operate from their municipality, subject to certain conditions. The childcare officer for the City of Hafnarfjörður oversees and supervises the activities of daycare providers, as well as providing them with day-to-day professional advice. The City of Hafnarfjörður wants to increase the number of day-care providers, and the city council recently approved changes designed to be an incentive for interested parties, which will come into effect from 1 January 2023. Demand for the services of day-care providers is high, and it is quite clear that a certain group of children thrive, and sometimes do better, in smaller groups and in a home environment.

More information about the work of childminders in Hafnarfjörður