– 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Recently, several people have advocated increased staffing in the kindergartens, and several of the parties that have withdrawn from the settlement highlight this point.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
How does Elise Waagen respond to concerns raised by other political parties regarding staffing levels in kindergartens?
**Interview with Elise Waagen, Labor Party Representative, on the New Kindergarten Settlement**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Elise Waagen. Recently, you spoke about reaching a joint agreement on managing and financing the nursery sector. Can you elaborate on what this settlement entails?
**Elise Waagen**: Thank you for having me. Our main focus with this agreement is to establish predictability and stability in kindergartens, which are vital for children’s welfare. We believe that by creating a solid framework for managing and financing these institutions, we can enhance the quality of care and education provided to our children.
**Interviewer**: Marit Knutsdatter Strand from the Center Party mentioned that they prioritize long-term solutions over temporary trends. How do you see this agreement fitting into that perspective?
**Elise Waagen**: It’s crucial that we’re not just responding to current pressures but paving the way for sustainable improvements. This agreement aims to ensure that quality kindergartens are accessible to everyone across Norway while also aligning financial considerations that support long-term stability in the sector.
**Interviewer**: There seems to be a divide among the parties regarding this settlement. Several, including the MDG and SV, have expressed concerns about staffing levels and the adequacy of the proposed measures. What are your thoughts on these criticisms?
**Elise Waagen**: I understand the concerns raised, especially regarding staffing. We recognize that effective staffing is essential for running satisfactory educational programs. The settlement emphasizes that employers must ensure appropriate staffing throughout the day, including during illnesses. However, achieving consensus on these complex issues is challenging. We are committed to improving conditions, and ongoing collaboration will be necessary to fine-tune our approach.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that part of the negotiations included clarifying staffing regulations. What specific changes can we expect from this settlement?
**Elise Waagen**: We are advocating clearer guidelines regarding staffing requirements and mandatory substitutes during absences. This is essential to maintain the quality of education and care children receive. Additionally, we plan to ensure that pension schemes will be equitable for employees in both private and public kindergartens.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, with several parties withdrawing from the negotiations, do you think this settlement will meet the needs of all stakeholders involved, particularly in terms of ensuring quality education?
**Elise Waagen**: While it’s unfortunate that some parties chose to opt out, the six parties still involved in this agreement represent a significant commitment to enhancing the kindergarten system. We believe it will provide a strong foundation for quality education and care. We will continue to engage with all stakeholders to address any concerns and work towards solutions that benefit both children and educators.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Elise Waagen, for sharing your insights on this important topic. We appreciate your time.
**Elise Waagen**: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how our efforts will positively impact children and families across our nation.