Shortening the stay of nursery children
Yesterday was the International Day of Children and, at the same time, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child celebrated its 30th anniversary. The Hafnarfjörður Education Council celebrated the day by approving a reduction in the attendance hours for nursery school children, and thus the maximum daily attendance will be 8.5 hours from the start of the new year. At the same time, nurseries in Hafnarfjörður are being encouraged to consider reducing their opening hours in line with child enrolment.
International Children's Day was
Yesterday also marked the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Hafnarfjörður Education Council celebrated the day by approving a reduction in
presence of nursery children and thus the maximum stay will be 8.5 hours per day
from the New Year. Nurseries in Hafnarfjörður are simultaneously encouraged to
Consider shortening the opening time in line with children's registrations.
In a report by the Hafnarfjörður working group on improved
Working conditions in nurseries, the long hours that Icelandic children spend in care were pointed out and
draws sound arguments from research on the well-being and development of children. Therefore, the education council considers
Is a stay in Hafnarfjörður a step forward and a contributing factor to improved well-being for children?
at nursery school does not exceed the aforementioned time. Reference is also made to the recommended
age-related attendance period that nurseries introduce to parents at the time of enrolment and is
visible in every nursery school in Hafnarfjörður. In some of the town's nursery schools
There is no need for it to be open later than 4:30 p.m. Other nurseries
Those who are open until 5 p.m. are encouraged to consider shortening their opening hours in line with
registration of the children. All nurseries in Hafnarfjörður will continue to be open between
7:30 and 17 and adapt to the needs of children and families that fall within these
8.5 hours maximum runtime.
Hafnarfjörður is working to implement
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and therefore emphasises the best interests of the child,
such as the length of their stay in nurseries, should be taken into consideration when making decisions
when appropriate. Yesterday, 20 November, on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it seemed fitting.
It would be appropriate and in the spirit of the agreement for Hafnarfjörður to take a leading role in shortening
the presence of young children in the town's nurseries. This resolution is to
take a big step for the coming generation and thus contribute to an improved quality of life
children. The Education and Public Health Department of Hafnarfjörður municipality has been tasked with introducing
and implement the change.