– 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Recently, several people have advocated increased staffing in the kindergartens, and several of the parties that have withdrawn from the settlement highlight this point.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
- What are the key features of the new kindergarten settlement in Norway presented by Elise Waagen and Marit Knutsdatter Strand?
**Interview with Elise Waagen and Marit Knutsdatter Strand on the New Kindergarten Settlement**
*Host*: Welcome to our programme! Today, we’re discussing the recent agreement on managing and financing the nursery sector in Norway. We have two distinguished guests with us: Elise Waagen from the Labor Party and Marit Knutsdatter Strand from the Center Party. Thank you both for joining us!
*Elise Waagen*: Thank you for having us!
*Marit Knutsdatter Strand*: It’s a pleasure to be here.
*Host*: Elise, let’s start with you. The Labor Party emphasizes the need for “predictability and calm” in kindergartens. Can you elaborate on what this means in practical terms?
*Elise Waagen*: Absolutely. Creating predictability in kindergartens is crucial for both parents and staff. It ensures that families can rely on stable and quality childcare, which is a core welfare service. Our joint agreement aims to provide a framework that allows for long-term planning and resource allocation, which in turn fosters a nurturing environment for our children.
*Host*: Marit, the Center Party has mentioned significantly reducing nursery prices and improving quality. How are these goals being addressed in the new settlement?
*Marit Knutsdatter Strand*: Yes, we believe that a sustainable and broad-based settlement is critical—one that isn’t swayed by political trends. Our focus has been on ensuring that kindergartens are not only affordable but also accessible to everyone across Norway. The funding adjustments will enable us to enhance the quality of care and education that children receive, which is essential for their development.
*Host*: Some parties have withdrawn from the negotiations, citing concerns over staffing and recruitment issues. What are your thoughts on this, Elise?
*Elise Waagen*: It’s unfortunate that some parties felt the need to step away. However, we are committed to addressing these concerns through our agreement. Our law will enforce staffing requirements, ensuring that there are enough qualified staff at all times, including when sick leave occurs. This is essential for maintaining the educational activities that our kindergartens provide.
*Host*: Marit, Une Bastholm from MDG expressed worries that the current agreements don’t adequately address staffing crises. How do you respond to those criticisms?
*Marit Knutsdatter Strand*: I understand their concerns, but we believe that this settlement lays down important groundwork for future improvements. We’re aligning rules to ensure adequate staffing ratios and clarifying what constitutes appropriate staffing at all times. These measures are designed to prevent potential crises and improve the overall work environment in kindergartens.
*Host*: Lastly, there seems to be a strong emphasis on equal rights for employees in both private and public kindergartens. Can you explain why this is so vital?
*Elise Waagen*: Equal rights are foundational for ensuring that all kindergarten workers are treated fairly, regardless of their workplace. By including pension schemes and other benefits in our settlement, we are not just focusing on the children but also on providing a sustainable career path for the educators who nurture them. Happy, supported staff lead to happier, thriving children.
*Marit Knutsdatter Strand*: Exactly. By establishing these standards through legislation, we’re also ensuring that parents can trust the quality of care their children receive. It’s a holistic approach that benefits our society as a whole.
*Host*: Thank you both for your insights. It’s clear that the new agreement is an important step toward enhancing the kindergarten sector in Norway. We appreciate your time today!
*Elise Waagen*: Thank you!
*Marit Knutsdatter Strand*: Thank you for having us!
