The first years of a child’s life are about closeness, security and the small steps toward independence. In Sønderborg Municipality’s nurseries, the youngest children get a good start in community life, while there is still enough time and expertise to meet each child where they are.
In Sønderborg Municipality’s nurseries, the aim is for 80% of the pedagogical staff to be trained pedagogues, with the remainder made up of pedagogical assistants and pedagogical support staff – all of whom continue their education on an ongoing basis. There are approximately three children per adult, and each child has a primary pedagogue, who is the consistent, familiar adult in the child’s everyday life. If the primary pedagogue is ill, there are always other pedagogues around the child, so that the sense of security is not lost, even when there is illness within the staff team.
The nursery groups in Sønderborg are part of the kindergarten or children’s centre and are designed specifically for children aged 0–3. This means that, from an early age, your child is part of a larger setting with other children and activities, while the nursery group – typically 8–12 children – provides the close, manageable setting that the youngest children need. If you have more than one child, siblings are taken into account: if you live at the same address, the youngest child will be offered an available place ahead of other children on the waiting list, so the family can be together at the same facility.
At a nursery, parents vote on whether they would like a parent-funded lunch scheme or whether you would prefer to bring a packed lunch for your children yourselves. The nurseries are closed for two or three weeks over the summer holidays, during which holiday care is offered at a nearby facility, so you are still guaranteed care during the school holidays. When your child is ready, the transition from nursery to kindergarten usually takes place within the same building, making the change smaller and more reassuring for both children and parents.
All children are entitled to a place in day care from the age of 26 weeks, and Sønderborg Municipality guarantees a place in all areas. You can book a place at a nursery as soon as your child has been issued a CPR number, view the location of the municipality’s nurseries on the interactive map, and follow the entire process digitally – from booking and the waiting list through to withdrawal. Book a place or read more about the rules on Sønderborg Municipality’s page on registering for a place.
For many families, municipal childminding is the most home-like start to life outside the four walls of the home. In Sønderborg Municipality, childminders are spread across the local areas, so there is often a childminder close to where you live – and where your children are cared for in small, calm surroundings with a consistent adult nearby throughout the day.
In Sønderborg Municipality, kindergartens are far more than just a place where children are looked after while their parents are at work. This is where your children truly discover community life, practice making friends and enjoy a day filled with play, learning and experiences that prepare them for starting school.
The thought of relocating to a new country — with different rules, unfamiliar surroundings, and new routines — can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep reading to discover how easy it can be to start a new chapter in Sonderborg — and explore the many advantages that can make this city your new home.