The governing parties, the Labor Party and the Center Party, have brought the Conservatives, Liberals, KrF and Patient Focus into the agreement. It means that the parties ask the government to present a bill on the matter in the spring. The parties agree on the framework for a new kindergarten law. The agreement lays down principles for the operation and finances of private kindergartens. SETTLEMENT: Irene Ojala (P), Marit Knutsdatter Strand (Sp), Kari-Anne Jønnes (H), Elise Waagen (Ap) and Kjell Ingolf Ropstad (KrF) agree on a kindergarten settlement. The Liberal Party is also involved in the agreement. Photo: Mats Rønning / news A central point is how public subsidies for pensions for employees in private kindergartens should be designed. At this point, the parties have agreed to investigate two different models for such a calculation. The purpose is to secure the employees’ pension rights and prevent nursery school owners from using pension subsidies from the state for other purposes. But the demand from the Parent Uprising, SV and Rødt for a new staffing standard, there is not a majority for. In the agreement, the parties content themselves with showing that there are “major staffing challenges in the nursery sector” and that there is a common goal to strengthen staffing and reduce sickness absence. NEGOTIATOR: Elise Waagen from the Labor Party. Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / news – Equal conditions The Labor Party’s Elise Waagen has led the negotiations, which have been going on for several months. – When we took the initiative for the talks before the summer, it was to be able to gather together for the best for the children and the kindergartens. I am happy that six parties are standing together for a new settlement, she says. – For Ap, it has been absolutely crucial to put in place equal pension conditions for employees in private kindergartens and to be able to make demands for the use of the subsidies so that the money goes to the children, says Waagen. Høyre’s Kari-Anne Jønnes says the party has gained approval for continued equal treatment of private and public kindergartens and ensured children’s families’ freedom of choice. – The Conservative Party is happy about the agreement because it will contribute to predictability for everyone who runs daycare centers across the country. Now we assume that the government follows up in line with the agreement, she says. SETTLEMENT: Høyre’s Kari-Anne Jønnes. Photo: Kristian Skårdalsmo – Now there will be better conditions for smaller kindergartens and a diverse offer with predictable conditions, says SP’s education policy spokesperson Marit Knutsdatter Strand. Venstre’s Abid Raja believes the agreement is the first step on the road to saving a sector in crisis. – This agreement does not solve the staffing challenges in the sector, nor does it provide the financial promise that the nurseries need, he says. – Now we ensure predictability and security for private kindergartens, says KrF’s Kjell Ingolf Ropstad. Lengthy process The parties in the Storting have been negotiating for several months the framework for a new broad kindergarten settlement, the first of its kind since 2003. But both the Progress Party and SV, which took the initiative for the settlement in 2003, and Rødt have broken out of the process during the fall. Both Rødt and SV have also raised the need to strengthen staffing in the kindergartens in the negotiations. The aim of the governing parties has been to create a financial framework for the private kindergartens that stand the test of time. Which rules should apply to pensions is a central element in this. Waagen from Labor has previously rejected a new staffing standard. – Changing the staffing standard costs over NOK 12 billion. It is demanding to make such big changes overnight, she told news in October. Published 14.11.2024, at 11.38
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Agreement on kindergarten settlement in the Storting – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
