Childminder (dagplejer) 0-4 years of age

Aarhus City Council decided in 2022 that childminding (dagplejen) in Aarhus is only an offer for children aged 0-4 years.

This means that a child who was taken care of by a childminder on January 1st 2022 can continue with this childminder until the last day of the month in which the child turns 4. You can, however, choose when the child should transfer to kindergarten at the age of 3-4. The child cannot continue at the childminder after the date you have chosen as the date of need for a place in a kindergarten.

An example

Asger was born on 21 January 2019 and is taken care of by a childminder. He has been signed up for a kindergarten place starting on June 1st 2022. He is offered a place from June 1st 2022, which the parents choose to decline. Asger's last day with the childminder is May 31 2022, and he no longer has municipal care on June 1st 2022.

Any changes in the date of need for kindergarten must be notified with the current month + 2 months.

An example 

Bente was born on February 14, 2019, and she was enrolled in kindergarten on March 1st, 2022. During the fall of 2021, Bente's parents think that Bente would be better off waiting to start kindergarten until June 1, 2022. Bente's parents can change Bente's date of need to 1 June 2022 by 31 December 2021 at the latest; if they only change the date on 1 January 2022 or later, Bente will still be offered a kindergarten place starting on 1. 1 March 2022, and she can no longer continue in daycare after this day.

In Aarhus, municipal childminding provides care for children aged 0–4 years. A municipal childminder cares for up to four children in their own home.

All municipal childminders belong to a childminding unit, which is part of an early childhood education and care service. Each childminder therefore has both a daycare manager and an educational leader, and several units also employ a pedagogical advisor for childminders.

Childminders are located throughout most areas of the city. Some live in houses, while others live in flats. In all cases, both the childminders and their homes (including size, safety and facilities) are approved and regulated by Aarhus Municipality and meet all relevant standards and guidelines.

The quality of childminding

• Secure attachment:The childminding structure — with one regular adult and a small group of children — creates a safe and nurturing environment where children have good opportunities to form secure attachments.
• One adult and a small group:With one adult and a small group, the childminder can closely observe, support and guide each child, and work intentionally with their development. The small group size supports high-quality educational and relational work, strong adult–child interaction and activities tailored to each child’s stage of development.
• A home-like environment: The childminder’s family is a natural part of the childminding setting. Combined with the home environment, this allows children to experience life in a small family setting that may be different from their own.For example, the childminder may have a garden, a pet, or older children, giving children new experiences that broaden their world and support their development.
• A flexible daily routine: Daily life in childminding is flexible. Because the group is small, the childminder can adapt activities to the children’s needs and energy levels. For example, a planned outing can be moved to another day if the children are tired. Activities can take the time they need.
•  Playgroup (legestue)– the larger community:Children in municipal childminding attend a playgroup at least once a week. Here they meet other children and adults, which creates new learning opportunities compared with daily life in the childminder’s home.Playgroups allow children to become part of a larger group, while the combined skills of several childminders benefit more children. The larger group setting also helps prepare children for the transition to nursery school.
• Substitute care: If a childminder is ill or on leave, children are offered care with another qualified and experienced childminder. This may be a regular substitute in a guest house, a childminder from the child’s playgroup network, or similar.
• Professional support: All municipal childminders in Aarhus are connected to a supervising pedagogical professional (an educational leader or childminding advisor). They carry out regular supervision visits in the childminder’s home, provide professional guidance, and help monitor the child’s wellbeing, development and learning.
• Children with additional needs: Childminding can be a particularly suitable option for children with additional needs or vulnerable circumstances, such as premature babies, children with autoimmune conditions, or children with language difficulties. The calm environment, small group size and one regular adult provide security, close relationships and attentive support, which can strengthen a child’s wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Overall goals and legislation

Municipal childminding in Aarhus follows the same overall goals as nurseries, as both fall under the Danish Daycare Act. This includes:

• The educational framework of the Daycare Act
• The strengthened pedagogical curriculum, which includes six learning themes
• The overall aim of promoting children’s wellbeing, learning, development and personal growth

Supervision

All childminders and playgroups in Aarhus receive regular educational supervision from their supervising pedagogical professional.

In addition each childminder receives one unannounced visit and one safety inspection every year.

Every second year, childminders receive an external and independent quality inspection (KVALid – Quality in Childminding) carried out by a consultant from Aarhus Municipality

External collaboration

Like daycare institutions, municipal childminding in Aarhus works with several professional partners, including: 

• Psychologists and speech-language consultants from PPR
• Children’s Therapy Services (occupational and physiotherapists)
• Social services
• Nurseries and daycare centres
• The Health Visitor Service (Sundhedsplejen)
• Dental services

Cooperation with parents

Cooperation with parents is close, personal and based on daily dialogue. Because each childminder cares for only a few children, they get to know both the child and the parents well. This creates a trusting relationship and a strong basis for collaboration.

Parents are actively involved in their child’s daily life, development and learning. Meetings are also held when the child starts in childminding and during the “ready for kindergarten” transition meeting. 

The supervising pedagogical professional usually participates in these meetings.

The group of children

Being part of a childminding group with children aged 0–4 years offers several advantages:

• Learning across ages – younger children learn by observing and imitating older children
• Empathy and responsibility – older children practise caring for and helping younger children
• Varied play and interaction – different developmental stages create dynamic play
• A strong sense of community – children experience both receiving help and helping others
• Individual support – the childminder can adapt the day to each child’s needs and development

Practical information

• Meals are fully provided in childminding. Children are offered breakfast if needed, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack.
• Children under one year can also be offered infant formula and purée/porridge.
• Childminders and playgroups provide prams or cots, sleep mattresses for older children, harnesses, duvets and similar equipment
• Parents need to bring: spare clothes, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, dummies/comfort toys.
• Childminders have a weekly opening time of 48 hours, and each childminder sets their own daily hours.
• If a childminder is ill, on holiday or has a day off, substitute care is always provided. Childminders inform parents well in advance about planned holidays and days off so families can plan accordingly.
• When children move from childminding to nursery, many childminders arrange visits to the new nursery. In many units, a written or verbal handover is also provided.

Applying for childminding

Parents can apply for a municipal childminding place through the Digital Placement Service (Digital Pladsanvisning).

It is possible to choose up to five specific childminders.
If you only wish to apply for a childminding place, you can select childminding units instead of individual childminders.

Visiting the childminders

If you are considering childminding for your child, you can contact the educational leader or childminding advisor in the relevant unit to arrange a visit to a playgroup.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit a childminder’s home before you have been offered a place. During the playgroup visit, you can see the facilities, ask questions, meet the childminders present that day. 

Each childminding unit has its own website with more detailed information, contact details and profiles of the childminders (in Danish).