– 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 measures for 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Recently, several people have advocated increased staffing in the kindergartens, and several of the parties that have withdrawn from the settlement highlight this point.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 ensure 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 ensured 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 components of the joint agreement on the management and financing of the nursery sector in Norway, and how do they aim to support early childhood education?
**Interview with Elise Waagen, Member of the Labor Party and Education Policy Advocate**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Elise. Recently, you’ve spoken about a joint agreement on the management and financing of the nursery sector. Can you explain why this agreement is essential for kindergartens in Norway?
**Elise Waagen:** Thank you for having me. This agreement is crucial because it aims to create predictability and stability in our kindergartens, which are a fundamental welfare service. The nursery sector significantly impacts children’s early development, and we want to ensure that they have a nurturing environment that supports their growth and learning.
**Interviewer:** The Center Party’s Marit Knutsdatter Strand emphasized the importance of long-lasting solutions over trends from fringe parties. What do you think about this stance?
**Elise Waagen:** I completely agree with Marit. We need solutions that stand the test of time, ensuring that our kindergartens remain accessible and of high quality throughout Norway. Our focus should be on the children and providing them with the best possible care and education, regardless of political fads.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be some contention with other parties like MDG, who have raised concerns about adequate staffing levels in kindergartens. What steps are being taken to address these staffing issues?
**Elise Waagen:** Staffing is indeed a critical issue, and the agreement includes a strong commitment to ensuring that kindergartens have the necessary staffing to deliver effective educational activities. We recognize the need for substitutes during times of illness and other absences, and we are working to clarify staffing requirements in our legislation to support this.
**Interviewer:** Some critics, like Grete Wold from SV, argue that the settlement does not adequately address the staffing crisis. What is your response to these concerns?
**Elise Waagen:** While I respect the opinions of all parties, I believe that this agreement lays the groundwork for significant improvements. We are aware of the challenges in staffing, and part of our approach includes developing clear guidelines and measures to ensure children are well cared for and that staff are supported. We are committed to revisiting and revising our strategies as needed to ensure that our goals are met.
**Interviewer:** what would you say is the ultimate goal of this new legislation for kindergartens?
**Elise Waagen:** The ultimate goal is to provide every child in Norway with access to high-quality early childhood education in a supportive environment. We want to ensure that both public and private kindergartens operate under fair and equitable conditions, particularly concerning staffing and benefits for employees. This is not just about policy; it’s about investing in our future through our children.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Elise, for sharing your insights into this important topic. It’s clear that this agreement is a step towards improving early childhood education in Norway.
**Elise Waagen:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such a vital issue.
