The municipal childcare system is well established and of a high standard. By law, the municipality must offer a childcare place within three to four months. Despite this, in some places the waiting time can be longer.

The State bears the lion’s share of childcare costs, while parents pay a capped fee, known as the ‘maxtaxa’. Pre-school (förskolan) is intended for children who have not yet started compulsory school, while school-age childcare (skolbarnsomsorg) is intended for children who have started school. These facilities may be operated by municipalities or by the private sector. 

To register your child, look under ‘Barn och skola’ (Children and schools) in the municipal (green) pages of your local phone book. Information about ‘Grundskolor, fritidshem och förskoleklasser’ (Compulsory comprehensive schools, after-school care and pre-school classes) and about ‘Gymnasiet’ (Upper secondary school) can be found in the same place in the phone book. Private schools and upper secondary schools can be found in the yellow pages under the heading ‘Skolor’ (Schools). The heading ‘Utbildning’ (Education) contains other educational providers, such as folk high schools, colleges, study associations and other adult education institutions. 

Text last edited on: 11/2009