Moving to Norway

[Anonym bruker]

 

Hi

I'm moving to Norway (from Australia) next year with my Norwegian husband and our 2 children (2 and 3). We'll be living somewhere in Oslo. Not sure exactly where yet.

 

I was hoping someone could tell me more about the school system in Norway- what age do they start- are there preschools/ kindergartens they can attend before starting school- what age?? etc.

 

Are there playgroups? How do you find them? What other activites are available for toddlers. ie swimming, music etc. Any information/ recommendations appreciated.

 

Also are there options for short term child minding- we don't need childcare as I won't be working- what I'm thinking of is childminding for a specific timeframe- ie 3 hours per week while I'm at Norwegian classes ;-)

 

Hope to hear back soon. ;-)

[Anonym bruker]

The move is exciting. We are also moving to Norway in the Spring sometime from the US. I am a little nervous about it, but hopefully it will work out OK.

 

I would maybe check finn.no for some someone looking to do some part time child tending. Maybe you could put out an ad for it. You might find someone at your local church if you are religious.

 

I don't have much info, but wanted to let you know you are not alone.

 

Kids start school the year they turn 6. This is different from the US where they do a cut off in the middle of the year. In norway it is just all kids born in 2003 will start first grade at the same time.

 

Next year should be interesting.

[Anonym bruker]

Hi :-)

 

I actually do not live in Norway, but since nobody have answerd you...

 

 

You could probably get a place in a barnehage (preeschool/kindergarden) for your children near where you live. It ofcourse depends on where you are going to live if it is easy or difficult to get a place... do make sure to sign them in as fast as you can when you get there.

 

Almost all children in Norway start preeschool/Kindergarden when they are 1 and stay until they start school with 6 (5), but som places they have åpen barnehage that you can go to with your children if they are not in the barnehage.

 

It could be hard for your kids to get friends if they dont attend to barnehage since absolutely "all" kids do and there are nobody to lay with between 8 and 15...

 

Good luck :-)

 

 

[juline]

Hi, I recently moved back to Norway (I'm Norwegian, but have lived abroad for many years) with my Canadian husband and daughter.

 

You should know that the Norwegian classes for immigrants take up almost a full day most of the week (my husbands classes are mon-wed 9am-3pm). These classes are free, and I think they may even be mandatory.

 

I therefore second the last poster's suggestion to enroll the kids into barnehage (daycare/kindergarden). It's heavily subsidized (ie. fairly cheap) and generally very good quality. You may opt for just enrolling them half time or something like that.

 

The barnehage enrollment deadline for august (usually the only time you may get a spot) is generally Feb/March that year, so you may want to apply asap if you know where you'll be living (usually an online system through the city web page). It might be a little tricky if the kids don't have a Norwegian birth number yet, but I managed to enroll my daughter from Canada without one by e-mailing the city's daycare coordinator and 'creating' a pretend-number so that I could get the application through. She is now 18 months old, have been in barnehagen for 4 months and absolutely loves it!

 

Good luck with your big move!

[Anonym bruker]

Hi!

I can't find pages in english...sorry. But maybe you can email to Oslo kommune? I think they will help you.

 

[email protected]

 

Good luck!