Childcare options in Sønderborg

Ensuring the little ones are well looked after in Sønderborg

In Sønderborg Municipality, we place children’s wellbeing and development at the centre of everything we do. Whether you are new to the municipality or have lived here for many years, you will find a broad selection of childcare options to suit your family’s needs and daily life. You can choose between Danish, German, or international provision – and between municipal and private arrangements.

Childcare provision in Sønderborg

Sønderborg Municipality offers a varied range of childcare options for children from 26 weeks of age up to the start of school:

• Childminders offer a safe and homely arrangement, where your child is looked after by a municipal childminder in small groups with close, personal contact. Childminders are geographically distributed throughout the local area, so there is typically one close to where you live.
• Nurseries cater for the youngest children and provide a good start to life in the company of other children. The focus is on closeness, play, and early learning in a safe and nurturing environment.
• Kindergartens are for children from approximately 3 years of age up to the start of school. Many of the municipality’s kindergartens have specialist profiles, including forest nurseries, where nature forms a central part of daily life and the child’s learning and development.

In addition to the municipal provision, it is possible to choose a private childcare arrangement or receive a subsidy towards looking after your own child at home, if you prefer a solution closer to home or wish for greater flexibility in everyday life.

You can view the locations of the municipality’s settings and register for a place here.

Childcare guarantee

All children in Sønderborg Municipality are entitled to a childcare place from the age of 26 weeks up to the start of school – in both the municipality’s Danish and German settings. The municipality operates a childcare guarantee across all areas, so as a parent you are assured of a place for your child when you need one.

You can book a place as soon as your child has been assigned a Danish personal identification number (CPR number) – and it is possible to book a continuous placement all the way through to youth club. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing the particular setting you would prefer.

Please be aware that settings may be closed during July. Contact the setting in good time to arrange a start date, or contact the Placement Office if your child is to begin with a childminder.

Staffing ratios

Sønderborg Municipality’s childcare settings operate in accordance with the legislation on minimum staffing ratios, which ensures that there are sufficient qualified staff to give each individual child the necessary care and attention:

• In nurseries: a maximum of 3 children per member of pedagogical staff
• In kindergartens: a maximum of 6 children per member of pedagogical staff

The municipality places great importance on ensuring that staff in both settings and municipal childminding arrangements are qualified pedagogical professionals. This helps to guarantee a high standard of care and a safe, stimulating environment for your child.

Childcare options for new residents

Even before you move to the area, you can book a place with a childminder or at a setting via the Digital Placement Service – provided your child has a Danish CPR number.

If you are coming from abroad and do not yet have a Danish CPR number or MitID, you are welcome to contact the Placement Office. Here you can receive guidance and, if necessary, have a place reserved until the required information is in place.

If you live in Germany and work in Sønderborg Municipality, your child may be entitled to a place in a municipal childcare setting or with a childminder during the period in which you are employed here. To qualify as a cross-border worker, you must, amongst other things, work a minimum of 9 hours per week, make contributions to the ATP supplementary pension scheme, and not be in employment in your country of residence. Please contact the Placement Office for further guidance on documentation requirements and the rights of cross-border workers.

A safe and secure environment from day one

Regardless of which childcare solution you choose, as a parent in Sønderborg Municipality you can rest assured that your child is in good hands. With a childcare guarantee, statutory staffing ratios, and qualified pedagogical staff in all of the municipality’s settings and childminding arrangements, a solid foundation has been laid to give your child the very best possible start in life.