It is compulsory for the municipalities to provide pre-school classes, the attendance of the children is however voluntary. The remainder of the six year olds are normally already enrolled in compulsory education. The reasons for this reform was to support the integration of different parts of the school system, as regards premises and staff as well as activities. The pre-school class is regulated under the Education Act. Pre-school classes are, as well as the rest of the school, financed by the municipal budget, which consists of state grants and local tax revenues.
Education is free of charge.
A municipality can grant approval to pre-school classes under private management. These are under supervision of the municipality, which have the right to issue special instructions and to withdraw approval. Organisation The pre-school class is to comprise at least 525 hours per year. Nomally the classes take place three hours a day, often in the morning. Normally, pupils attend the pre-school class which is closest to their homes.