Nurseries receive 112 million kroner for teacher training

A historic investment in nursery staff

Nurseries across the country are now receiving a total of 112 million kroner from the state. The money will help a record-high number of staff train to be nursery teachers while continuing to work in the nursery. According to the authorities, state support has never before been granted for so many people to take this education alongside their permanent employment.

Never before has state support been given for so many people to train as nursery teachers while in work.

For staff in the sector, this means a chance for professional upgrading without interruption to their working lives. The measure covers the entire country, and the goal is to raise competence among those who are closest to the children every day.

The significance for Ukrainian families with young children

For Ukrainian parents who have settled in Norway and have children in nursery, this allocation can have a noticeable impact. More trained nursery teachers in the departments can mean a safer and more pedagogically adapted environment. Formal competence is essential to support children's social well-being and language development, which is especially important for children learning Norwegian as a second language.

In the long term, a strengthened teacher-to-child ratio can make nurseries better equipped to look after children with a refugee background. At the same time, Ukrainians who already work as assistants in nurseries could potentially see new professional opportunities if the scheme opens up for more groups to qualify for the nursery teacher profession.

Workload and uncertainty about substitutes

On the other hand, implementing the measure may entail practical challenges. Parents may become concerned if staff experience an increased workload by combining studies and work. When permanent staff participate in teaching or gatherings, the daily routine in the department can become more vulnerable if there is a shortage of qualified substitutes.

How much money will each individual nursery receive? How will the 112 million kroner be distributed between different municipalities and regions? How will nurseries and municipalities solve the need for substitutes during the periods when staff are studying? What specific requirements are set for staff who wish to take part in the education support? Will the scheme also apply to the same extent to private nurseries as to municipal ones?

What should parents look out for?

For parents, it can be a good idea to maintain a dialogue with nursery management. It may be appropriate to ask whether the nursery has staff who will undertake education, and how staffing is planned in practice. Stable staffing with good competence is a prerequisite for safe nursery days, and openness around such processes can give parents greater predictability.