– We agree on a joint agreement on how to manage and finance the nursery sector. It is important to create predictability and calm in the kindergartens, which are a basic and important welfare offer, says the Labor Party’s Elise Waagen to NTB.
Patient focus is also involved in the settlement, where the government therefore goes to the right to secure a majority.
– For the Center Party, a settlement that stands up over time is more important than the fads of the wing parties. Now we ensure good kindergartens close to people throughout Norway. We have greatly reduced the nursery price, now we are taking new steps to improve quality, says Marit Knutsdatter Strand, education policy spokesperson for the Center Party, to NTB.
Desired broad settlement
The parties in the Storting have been negotiating since before the summer about the new law for how the private kindergartens are to be managed and financed. The goal was to achieve a new, broad kindergarten settlement – for the first time since 2003.
Along the way, both Frp, SV and Rødt have broken off the negotiations. MDG also ultimately chose to stay out.
– MDG has chosen not to become part of the settlement because the decisions are not good enough to ensure a good enough nursery for children and employees in the years to come. The fact that there are no concrete measures that will strengthen staffing, create lower sickness absence and ensure good recruitment is worrying, says MDG’s Une Bastholm.
Recently, several people have advocated increased staffing in the kindergartens, and several of the parties that have withdrawn from the settlement highlight this point.
Will clarify the staffing rules
The six parties that agree emphasize that it is required by law to have such good staffing in the kindergartens that the staff can run a satisfactory educational activity.
– This requirement applies throughout the opening hours, also in the event of illness and other absences. The parties believe that it must be emphasized that substitutes must be obtained if the staffing situation dictates this, it is further stated.
They also ask the government to follow up and clarify how the staffing regulations are to be understood, what constitutes appropriate staffing. It must also be clarified when it is necessary to bring in substitutes and, if necessary, cut the opening hours.
The parties in the settlement also agree that pension schemes must be part of the bill that is presented to the Storting.
The aim is that there should be equal rights for employees in private and public kindergartens.
SV: – Fails the left side
SV’s education policy spokesperson, Grete Wold, says that the settlement does not solve any of the problems in the kindergartens.
– We have a staffing crisis out there. This settlement does not consider solving it at all. We must ensure that the money allocated to the kindergartens goes to our children. Neither does this settlement. And we must make sure that the commercial players cannot shut down overnight. That doesn’t solve this settlement either, she says to NTB.
She is disappointed that the government parties go to the bourgeois parties to get a majority.
– It shows that they are once again failing the left in politics. They could have reached a settlement with us that would have secured a kindergarten law that would have done something about the challenges in the sector, she says.
– “Honk and drive and go” for the commercial ones
Rødt’s Hege Bae Nyholt says that they tried to be constructive in the negotiations, but that the majority chose not to listen to several of their proposals.
– This is a kind of “honk and drive and go” for the commercial nurseries, she says.
– I am disappointed. Here, the governing parties have chosen the right over their own politics. They have entered into a settlement that is so broad that it does not take into account the crises in the nursery sector, she tells NTB.
PBL: Positive clarifications
Director Jørn-Tommy Schjelderup of the National Association of Private Kindergartens (PBL), which organizes several of the commercial kindergartens, says that there will be several “positive and very important clarifications in the settlement”.
– After a long period of much polarized debate, and also far-reaching proposals that would have been very dramatic for private kindergartens, it is good that the parties have managed to agree on a document that mentions many of the central themes, he says.
He praises both the governing parties and the opposition for having worked constructively on the issue over time.
– And with good intentions about balanced and sustainable solutions, he says.
#Agreement #kindergarten #law #demand #staffing
**Interview with Elise Waagen, Labor Party Representative on Kindergarten Financing and Management**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Elise. Let’s start with the joint agreement your party has reached regarding the management and financing of kindergartens. Can you elaborate on the importance of this settlement?
**Elise Waagen:** Absolutely. This agreement is crucial for creating predictability and stability in kindergartens. We view nurseries as essential components of our welfare system, and it’s vital that families can trust they have access to quality care and education for their children. This settlement aims to provide just that.
**Interviewer:** Marit Knutsdatter Strand from the Center Party mentioned that this agreement prioritizes long-term solutions over short-term political trends. How does this align with the Labor Party’s vision?
**Elise Waagen:** We completely agree with this perspective. Our goal is to establish a framework that not only addresses current challenges but also anticipates future needs in the nursery sector. This isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about ensuring that every child has access to a nurturing environment.
**Interviewer:** In light of recent negotiations, some parties like MDG and SV have opted out, citing concerns over staffing and quality. How do you address these criticisms?
**Elise Waagen:** Those concerns are valid, and we acknowledge that staffing is a significant issue facing our nurseries. However, the agreement we reached includes provisions to clarify staffing regulations and ensure that there are adequate numbers of staff available to provide the necessary educational activities. We’re committed to following up on these regulations to ensure they are implemented effectively.
**Interviewer:** The negotiation process has faced challenges, particularly with some parties withdrawing. How do you see this affecting the future of kindergarten policies in Norway?
**Elise Waagen:** While it’s disappointing that some parties chose to withdraw, our focus remains on building a broad coalition that can provide sustainable solutions. This agreement is about collaboration, and we’re hopeful that it will lead to consistent improvements in the quality of kindergartens across Norway.
**Interviewer:** what steps will the government take to monitor the impact of this agreement on the staffing and quality in kindergartens going forward?
**Elise Waagen:** The government will establish oversight mechanisms to ensure that the staffing guidelines are adhered to, including the recruitment of substitutes during absences. We understand that quality cannot be compromised, and ongoing assessments will be critical in making necessary adjustments as we implement this settlement.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Elise. It sounds like you have a comprehensive plan in place to enhance the nursery sector in Norway. We appreciate your insights today.
**Elise Waagen:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing the positive changes this agreement will bring to our kindergartens.
