Reception classes in public schools (if your child has little or no knowledge of Danish)
Do you wish for your child to be enrolled in a Danish public school (Folkeskolen) in Aarhus? And does your child have little or no knowledge of the Danish language? Then, your child must attend a reception class (modtagelsesklasse) before moving on to an ordinary class in a public school.
In a reception class (modtagelsesklasse), your child will learn to understand and speak basic Danish in order to attend a regular class in a public school.
Your child is taught basic Danish and will follow the curriculum corresponding to your child’s grade level. The duration of a school day in a reception class corresponds to the school day in a regular public school according to their grade.
Your child can attend a reception class from the age of 6 to 17, and enrolment can happen at any time during the academic year.There are fewer children in a reception class than in a regular class.
As reception classes are part of the municipal public school system, attending one is cost-free.
How long will my child attend a reception class?
It is not possible to determine how long your child will attend a reception class. It will differ from child to child anddepends on their age and acquired Danish language skills. At the end of reception class, they will move to a regular public school class.
However, your child can only attend a reception class for a maximum of two years.
Transport allowance
In connection with your child's school placement in a reception class, Pedagogy, Leisure & Education, will assess, whether or not your child can be granted transport to and from school, in accordance with service rules for transport in Aarhus Municipality.
What if my child already speaks and understands some Danish?
If your child speaks and understands some Danish when you move to Aarhus, they will take a language screening test.
The language screening will determine whether your child needs to start in a reception class or can begin in a regular class in a public school.
Please email dsa.puf@mbu.aarhus.dk, and Pedagogy, Leisure & Education will contact you to assess the need for a language screening.
Which grade will my child be enrolled in?
Reception classes are divided into steps. Children in Denmark start school in grade 0 in August in the calendar year they turn 6. Therefore, your child's year of birth determines which step they will be enrolled in.
Where are the reception classes located?
Reception classes are located at various public schools in Aarhus. The age of your child, prior schooling, where you live, and classroom availability are all factors that determine where your child will start in a reception class.
What happens when my child is ready to attend a regular class?
As soon as your child has acquired sufficient Danish language skills, you will be invited to a handover meeting at the district school (your local school). Your child is also entitled to stay at the school where they have attended reception class. Further language support will be provided by the school where your child attends a regular class.
Siblings
If you have more than one child who needs to start in a reception class, Pedagogy, Leisure & Education will attempt to place them at the same school.
However, the possibility that your children will attend the same school depends on their age and the school's availability (current number of children).
Enrolment process for children arriving from abroad
When you move to Aarhus, you must apply for a reception class. Pedagogy, Leisure & Education process your application.
Your child can start school in a reception class before being issued with a CPR number (social security number).
If your child hasn't been issued a CPR number yet, you must submit the following, depending on your child’s residency status:
- If your child is taking up residence in Denmark based on EU regulations:
- Documentation that you have applied for an EU residence document for your child
- If your child is a citizen from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland:
- A copy of your child's application for a residence permit or
- A residence permit
This documentation must be sent to Pedagogy, Leisure & Education. You can mail the documents to the department's address or submit them at their office. The department's contact information and online application form are in the upper right corner of this page.
Pedagogy, Leisure & Education will contact you if they have any questions about the enrolment form.
Pedagogy, Leisure & Education will send a letter to your digital postbox outlining where your child will start school.
If you are not signed up for digital post yet, you will receive a letter by regular post.
It's important to note that the digital post system is the primary way we communicate important information, including your child's school placement. Once you have been issued a CPR number, you will automatically start receiving digital post from public authorities.
The school will invite you and your child to visit the school for an enrolment interview within two weeks from the date of enrolment.
The school will need relevant information from you about your child and its prior schooling.
The enrolment interview will provide you with practical information related to starting school, including:
- What does it mean to attend a reception class?
- What is taught in the reception class?
- What will the class schedule look like?
- What will my child need to bring?
- Agreements about starting school and information about the rules
- Transportation
Information about before- and after-school care
You can also get more information about signing up for after-school care, called SFO (grades 0-3), and club (grades 4-9). These are before- and after-school opportunities for school-aged children. You will need to pay the cost of SFO and club yourself.
Once you have been to the enrolment interview at the school, your child is ready to start school. You will arrange with the school the date on which your child will start as a pupil in the class in question.
The teacher will continuously monitor how your child develops his/ her Danish language skills in order to determine when your child is ready to start in an ordinary class.
The teacher will keep you updated in relation to your child's learning, well-being, and development. If you have questions, you can always contact the teacher.
Would you like to sign up your child for reception class?
Please complete the application form. The department for Children and Youth will contact you after receiving it. Their contact information can be found below.