Hafnarfjörður wants to increase the number of day-care providers.
Over the past few terms, the board of day-care providers in Hafnarfjörður has been meeting with representatives of the municipality to discuss their affairs. The result was a new and comprehensive service agreement between the municipality and the day-care providers, which the group recently signed. The agreement will result in improved working conditions for day-care providers and enhance cooperation between the parties involved. There are currently 23 active day-care providers in Hafnarfjörður, and it is hoped that their number will increase in the coming years.
New service contract with childminders approved and signed
Over the past few terms, the board of day-care providers in Hafnarfjörður has been meeting with representatives of the municipality to discuss their affairs. The result was a new and comprehensive service agreement between the municipality and the day-care providers, which the group recently signed. The agreement will result in improved working conditions for day-care providers and enhance cooperation between the parties involved. There are currently 23 active day-care providers in Hafnarfjörður, and it is hoped that their number will increase in the coming years.
Establishment grant and facilities grant
The new service agreement includes grants for childminders, the most notable of which is a start-up grant of kr. 300,000 for those who begin work and hold a valid licence. After one year in the role, day-care providers can apply annually for an operating grant of kr. 30,000 for each child from Hafnarfjörður in their care. These grants enable day parents to purchase the toys and equipment needed for the job, as well as to carry out maintenance on their premises. The City of Hafnarfjörður also pays for training days, thereby aiming to strengthen and support the important and creative work of day parents. At the same time, the payment to day parents for a child's attendance was increased from 8,433 kr. to 12,800 kr. per hour. Parents or guardians with lower incomes can apply for an additional subsidy based on the current fee schedule. A sibling discount is available when siblings are at a day nursery, nursery school or after-school club at the same time; the second child receives a 75% discount and the third a 100% discount.
Daycare providers are an important pillar.
At the beginning of the year, the Hafnarfjörður town council approved the change to offer Home payments to parents of children from 12 months of age, start-up grant for childminders and an increase in the subsidy for childminders which is reflected in new home payments. These changes came into effect from 1 January 2023 and are specifically aimed at promoting increased choice when it comes to the day care of young children. Daycare providers are a vital pillar of the early years sector, and the council's aim with these measures is to increase their numbers and strengthen the profession. The demand for the services of childminders is high, and it is quite clear that a certain group of children thrive, and sometimes better, in smaller groups and in a home environment. 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 Municipality of Hafnarfjörður oversees and supervises the activities of daycare providers, in addition to providing them with day-to-day professional advice.