25,000 more children will be entitled to be at kindergarten for free

Minister of Education and Research Torbjørn Røe Isaksen ( Conservative Party ).Photo: Audun Braastad / NTB scanpix

Starting August,  three-year-olds will  also be included in the scheme of free core time in kindergarten. Approximately 25,000 children from low-income families can now take part in the scheme.

The target group is particularly children who do not speak Norwegian at home.

– We know that many children begin school without sufficient knowledge of Norwegian . We also know that for some parents  one reason why they choose not to have their children in kindergarten, is the cost of having your children there. By extending the free core time so that it also applies to  low-income families with children three years of age,  the government will provide even more children with the opportunity to be in an environment where they can learn, play and explore along with other children,  Minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen says.

Last year, the system of free core time was introduced for four- and five-year olds. From 1 August, this will also apply to three-year-olds. The offer is extended to families with an income of less than 417,000 kroner per year. This limit is revised from 405.000 last year.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today