With the improved working environment of the preschools, it will be easier to retain staff and prevent service cuts.

The changes to the tariff include that the opening hours of the preschools are harmonized, and from 1 March, Fjarðabyggð’s preschools will be open from 07:45 to 16:15. The day-care fee for six hours of day-care is reduced by 30%, and then increases after six hours of day-care. With this approach, the aim is to create an incentive for the users of the service, those who are able, to reduce the day-care time and thus reduce the workload on the preschool staff. In addition, a fee will be charged for so-called registration days. There are 20 registration days per year and will cost ISK 5000 per day. Registration days are, for example, during Holy Week and between Christmas and New Year's.

A new arrangement with flexibility

Fjarðabyggð emphasizes that the changes are necessary to ensure the operational safety of the preschools and improve the service. Working at a preschool, although rewarding, is extremely demanding, and since qualified staff do not exist in a vacuum, we want to accommodate this by reducing the workload and improving working hours, so that it will be easier for the preschools to retain good people.

With these changes, the intention is to create increased flexibility in the activities of the preschools in order to accommodate the changing working hours of staff, ensure that the employees can take the preparation time stipulated in the collective wage agreement and try to prevent repeated unforeseen service cuts that lead to temporary closures. With increased flexibility, people can choose different times on different days, which can suit shift workers and part-time workers, among others.

Increased discount terms

Income criteria due to discounts on placement fees in the tariff have been increased, and will now be based on an annual income of nine million for individuals, and 13.6 million for cohabitants. In addition, income-based discount terms will increase from 30% to 50%. Furthermore, discounts now cover placement fees, additional day-care fees and registration days, whereas previously discounts only covered placement fees.

Preschool lunches will continue to be free of charge, and the increase for morning and afternoon refreshments amounts to 2.5%. Sibling discounts are also unchanged, i.e. 50% discount for the second child and 100% for the third child.

Introductory meetings

Introductory meetings will be held with parents in January where the changes will be discussed.

• Tuesday, 14 January at 20:00 at the Dalborg preschool
• Wednesday, 15 January at 20:00 at the School Center in Fáskrúðsfjörður

Preschool fee calculator

The preschool fee calculator will be available on Fjarðabyggð's website. It can be used to calculate preschool fees based on a child's length of placement. The calculation of preschool fees is based on the average length of day-care per day. In the calculator, it is also possible to enter the income-related discount. Below you can see a screenshot of the calculator and what it will look like.