Words by

Iryna Zubenko

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The Reykjavík Preschool Plan was approved by the City Council yesterday, reports RÚV.

The changes include substantial adjustments to the preschool fee structure. One of the major changes is that preschool attendance in Reykjavík will be free for up to 36 hours per week. After that, a progressively increasing fee will be added for longer stays, up to 42.5 hours per week. Preschool opening hours will not be shortened, but parents are encouraged to keep their children in school for fewer hours than they currently do, if possible. There will be 20-75 percent discounts for single parents and lower-income families.

The proposals were approved with 13 votes from members of the majority and Viðreisn. Other city councillors abstained from the vote.

These changes do not solve urgent problems

The proposed plan has already received some criticism. A preschool director in Reykjavík says the changes approved yesterday do not solve the pressing problems facing the sector.

“What has come out of this does not really help the working environment in preschools right now, but possibly at some point later, if these measures prove effective. This does not solve the problem we are dealing with today and have been fighting for far too long,” says Ásta Kristín Svavarsdóttir, director of the Jöklaborg preschool.

Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir, chair of BSRB (the Federation of State and Municipal Employees), says the changes will affect parents in inflexible jobs or those with limited support networks the most, and will contribute to increased social inequality. Halla Gunnarsdóttir, chair of the VR labour union, says the burden on full-time working parents has increased and that services have been reduced.

Preschool administrators in Reykjavík held a solidarity meeting at the same time as the City Council meeting. According to Ásta Kristín, the administrators were united in their disappointment with the outcome.

They had wanted more control over scheduling, an increase in full-time positions in preschools, and a review of the child-to-staff ratio — which determines how many staff members preschools are required to have.

“To put it plainly, the number of parents represents more votes than the number of preschool staff in Reykjavík, and that seems to be what matters right now. From our perspective, it’s simply unfortunate that elections are approaching,” Ásta Kristín says.