Icelandic pre-schools operate according to laws passed in the Alþingi. The Ministry of Education lays down the framework and policy for pre-school education, while local municipalities have the responsibility for implementing the law on pre-school education.
Parents pay a monthly fee to have their child in pre-school. The fee depends on the amount of time your child is in school everyday, if meals are included, and whether or not the parents are single, working or enrolled in university or college. Parents that have more than one child in pre-school get a reduced fee for siblings.
Pre-schools should be available to all children who have not reached compulsory school age, i.e. in the autumn of the year in which the child turns 6. Some pre-schools accept children at one year old, but the youngest children are usually 2 years of age. In municipalities where there may be insufficient room to accommodate all applicants, the children of single parents and students are often given priority.
Parents may apply for a pre-school when the child is 6 months old. Application forms can be found in all nursery schools and the relevant nursery school head offices. The city of Reykjavik offers information in 14 languages on their web site. As there are often waiting lists for pre-school places it is a good idea to get the application in when the child is 6 months old. Children of parents that speak a language other than Icelandic may be eligible for priority placement.
If your child cannot be placed in a pre-school (leikskóli) immediately, or your child is between 6 months and 2 years old you may wish to find a "dagforeldri" or day care "parent". In these day care centers children are taken care of in at the day care "parent's" home - this service is administered by the social services of the local municipal authority. Those who take care of children in their own homes must fulfil certain requirements and the supervision of day care parents is the responsibility of each local municipal authority
Most neighborhoods in the capital area have playgrounds. These can be used free of charge.
For children up to the age at which compulsory school begins. Compulsory school begins in August/September of the year when the child turns 6 years old. For more information go to the chapter about day care.
School attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16, i.e. in the autumn of the year in which the child turns 6. Parents are must ensure that their children are registered and attend school. Pupils are in school for 180 days during the months of August - June. Compulsory education, including textbooks and materials is free of charge. Children living in Iceland who speak a language other than Icelandic have a legal right to specialised Icelandic classes, Icelandic as a second language (ÍSAT).
In each school the headmaster and the ÍSAT teachers see to the organisation and the implementation of the courses. ÍSAT classes may vary depending on the mother tongue of the student and how different it is to Icelandic.
Children that have another mother tongue than Icelandic may request exemption from Danish. This exemption is considered on an individual basis and those requesting exemption must prove that it is in the best interest of the child. This exemption is usually not given to children who start learning Icelandic at a very young age.
With this exemption it usually follows that the child is also exempt from taking the National Standardized Examinations in Danish. It should be noted that not having credits in Danish may have an effect on what area of study students may pursue in upper-secondary school. For further information contact your child's head master, or the Ministry of Education.
To register your child in school you may go to the school that is nearest you. If you are not sure which school that is, contact your local school administration office. The Reykjavik Education service Centre, has registration forms available in 14 different languages.
When you register your child for school you should have the following information:
- Name and ID number of the child
- Previous school records
- Proof of a medical examination
- Proof of having received all necessary vaccinations
The transition into the Icelandic school system may take time, and may be difficult. It is important to remember that children may experience culture shock just as adults. Parents are the best advocates for their children, so do not be afraid to ask questions or express concerns. It is a good idea to be in regular contact with your child's teacher and headmaster. If communication is restricted because of language, ask that for an interpreter to be provided. The schools are legally required to provide interpreters when necessary. The Reykjavik education service center has published an information booklet about the school system in 14 languages.
Education at the upper-secondary level is free but students pay a registration fee and the cost of textbooks. Students in vocational education also pay a materials fee. Education at this level is not compulsory but all students that have completed this level of education have the right to enter university. The school year is 9 months and is divided into autumn and spring terms and traditionally take 3 years to complete. Some schools offer summer school programs, evening programs and adult programs. Upper-secondary schools are not assigned to certain neighborhoods, so students are free to apply to whichever school they choose.
Applicants might not get accepted for their first choice, so it is a good idea to have a few choices in mind. When choosing a school it is good to visit the school, ask questions and take a tour before deciding which one best suits your needs. Not all schools have programmes tailored to newly arrived immigrants.
Schools in the Reykjavík area do not have dormitories while schools in the countryside offer room and board for enrolled students. There are about 40 of these schools in Iceland.
There are no loans available for students in upper-secondary school. There are however tax discounts available to parents. This discount is not automatic like child benefits. Parents must fill out the appropriate information on their tax forms. The amount of the discount is affected by any income that the student claims. For more information contact the Tax Office. Parents are obligated by law to financially see to their children until they are 18 years of age. Students between the ages of 18-20 years old that are studying or learning a trade may apply for an extension of support. The student makes this request at The State Social Security Institute.
he Icelandic higher education system dates back to 1911 with the foundation of the University of Iceland. In the past decade there has been an increase in the amount of institutions of higher learning. Currently there are 7 universities in Iceland. You can read more about them here. Most of them are run by the state.
Universities differ to the extent to which they engage in research and the number of programs they offer. While universities are free to set their own admissions criteria, in most circumstances a matriculation exam (degree from upper-secondary schools) or its equivalent is necessary. Registration of 1st year students takes place from late May until early June. The application for foreign students, other than Nordic citizens is the 15th of March. Some universities also admit new students in the spring.
There are no tuition fees at state-run universities, only registration fees. Students must purchase their own books and materials. Students attending institutes of higher learning may be eligible for a loan from the Icelandic Student Loan Fund. The amount of the loan depends on the income of the student and whether they have children. These loans must be paid back 2 years after graduation or discontinuing your studies.
The following individuals are eligible for a student loan:
- Citizens of the EU and EEA-EFTA countries, who have worked at least 1 year in Iceland.
- Students from Nordic countries who are permanent residents of Iceland, are registered students, and are not already receiving help from their own country.
- Students that are from countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Iceland.
- Foreign immigrants, legally residing in Iceland for 1 year that have worked here, or within the EU for at least 5 years are eligible for a loan providing the course of study they are applying for is work related. The same applies for spouses and children under 21 years of age.
The Ministry of Education grants scholarships once a year to foreign students to pursue studies in Icelandic language and literature at the University of Iceland. Contact the ministry for more information.
Universities and Colleges in Iceland
The University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands)
Suðurgötu, IS-101 Reykjavik
tel: (+354) 525-4000 fax: (+354) 525-5850
The University of Akureyri (Háskólinn á Akureyri)
v/Norðurslóð, IS-600 Akureyri
tel: (+354) 463-0900 fax: (+354) 463-0999
The Agricultural University (Landbúnaðarháskólinn á
Hvanneyri)
IS-311, Borgarnes
tel: (+354) 433-7000 fax: (+354) 433-7001
Iceland University of the Arts (Listaháskóli Íslands)
Skipholt 1, IS-105 Reykjavik
tel: (+354) 552-4000 fax: (+354) 562-3629
Hólar University College (Hólaskóli)
Hólar Hjaltadal, IS-551 Sauðárkrókur
tel: (+354) 455-6300 fax: (+354) 455-6301
Bifröst School of Business (Viðskiptaháskólinn Bifröst)
IS-311 Borgarnes
tel: (+354) 433 000 fax: (+354) 433 0001
https://www.bifrost.is/english
Reykjavik University (Háskólinn í Reykjavík)
Ofanleiti 2, IS-103 Reykjavík
tel: (+354) 510-6200 fax: (+354) 510-6201
The parents of a child are entitled to paid leave at childbirth, when adopting a child and when becoming permanent foster parents. In order to support equality between parents in the home and in the labor market and to ensure the welfare of children, both parents have equal rights to parental benefits and leave.
The law also provides for an additional 13-week unpaid parental leave during the child's first 8 years.
For students and those not active in the labor market it is possible to receive a grant.
This leave is for those parents working in the labor market, both full and part time and those that are self-employed.
To be eligible for this fund:
- You must have been employed for at least 6 months before the day of the leave.
- Parents that have been working in other EEA countries shall be eligible if the parent has been employed in Iceland for at least one month during the last 6 months prior to the first day of leave.
- For new residents in Iceland a main condition for eligibility is that the parents have lived legally in Iceland for at least 12 months prior to the birth.
- Only those parents that have custody or joint custody areeligible for benefits. Non-custodial parents may receivethe right to leave providing the custodial parent has agreed that the non-custodial parent is to have access to the child during the period of leave.
- The right to leave expires when the child is 18 months of age.
- You must notify your employer as soon as possible and fill out an application from the the Social Security Institute.
Each parent has an independent right to 6 months of leave, with one month transferable between parents. Read more about parental leave in Iceland and how to apply here.
Parents that are unemployed or are full-time students each have the independent right to a parental grant for up to 6 months in connection with the birth of their child, adoption or permanent foster care. This grant is not transferable in its entirety but 6 weeks can be transferred from one parent to the other. Payments for the previous month are paid out on the 1st working day of each month.
Parents have the independent right to 13 weeks of unpaid parental leave, i.e. time off from work without any payments, in order to care for their children. The right to this parental leave begins when the child is born and expires when the child is 8 years of age. This right is not transferable.
During parental leave the employee will not loose any earned employee rights or privileges. Upon returning to work the employee should enter into the same or a comparable position. It is not legal to terminate an employee that is on parental leave.
Parents who have custody of their children aged 16 years and younger are entitled to child benefit payments (barnabætur). The amount paid per family is determined by the status of each family, that is, the earnings of the family and the number of children aged 16 years and below. Child benefits payments help relieve the financial burdens of the family and the amount paid increases with the number of children the family has to support. Single parents are entitled to higher payments than married couples, or couples that live in registered co-habitation. Payments are made four times a year, in February, May, August and November. The amount paid in February and May are estimates calculated in advance, whilst payments made in August and November are based on the net income of the parents for the previous year. As a result, if the payments made in February and May were too high, deductions will be made from the August and November payments, and vice versa.
Child benefit payments to foreign citizens resident in Iceland, as well as Icelandic citizens who have moved back into the country, are calculated starting from the date of arrival in Iceland.
Parental Leave Fund: https://www.vinnumalastofnun.is/en/maternitypaternity-leave-fund
Parliament: http://www.althingi.is
Ministry of Education, Science and Culture: http://www.menntamalaraduneyti.is
Icelandic Student Loan Fund: https://menntasjodur.is/english/
Pre-school: https://reykjavik.is/en/preschools
The Reykjavik Education Service Centre: https://reykjavik.is/en/compulsory-schools
Intercultural Iceland: http://www.ici.is/en
The Icelandic Centre for research: https://en.rannis.is/