The pre-school class
The pre-school class is a voluntary form of school within the state school system. Municipalities are required to offer children places in pre-school classes from the autumn term of the year in which a child turns six until the child starts his/her compulsory schooling.
Pre-school classes share their curriculum, Lpo 94, with compulsory school and out-of-school centres. From the autumn term of the year in which a child turns six, municipalities must offer all children places in pre-school classes. Children may be admitted earlier. A pre-school class must comprise a minimum of 525 hours per year and is free of charge.
Today approximately 96 per cent of all six-year-olds go to pre-school classes. The proportion of five-year-olds in pre-school classes is just over one per cent and of seven year olds, around one per cent. A small proportion of the total number of six-year-olds, two per cent, are enrolled in compulsory schools.
The aim of education in pre-school classes is to stimulate pupils development and learning and to prepare them for their future school career. The education is to be based on a holistic view of the pupil and the pupils needs. Pre-school classes are intended to promote a broad spectrum of contacts and social community. They include play and creativity as vital components of active learning. The aim of the pre-school class is to bridge the gap between the pre-school and school systems. Its identity comes from the combination of pre-school and compulsory school working procedures and methods.
The pre-school class is included in the national curriculum for the compulsory school system, pre-school classes and out-of-school centres. Within the set frameworks, individual municipalities are free to decide how to conduct their services. Many municipalities have chosen to integrate their pre-school classes into the same premises as compulsory schools. Many of them have also chosen to integrate their activities so that they work together every day.
