Preschool and open preschool
There are both preschools and open preschools in Malmö. At preschool, your child can learn things that prepare them for school. An open preschool is a meeting place for both parents and children.
Preschool
Children can attend preschool from the age of 1 year until they start school. Most children in Sweden attend preschool. The staff at the preschool work with your child’s development and learning. Play is an important element at preschool, and the children's activities include singing, dancing, making music, painting and acting. It is very easy for young children to learn several languages at the same time. At preschool your child will learn Swedish, and they will be well-prepared for starting school. Attending preschool can also be beneficial to the child's health, and gives them better prerequisites for finding employment as adults.
The staff at the preschool have a responsibility to ensure that each child receives the support they need for their continued development. For children who need special support, there are special preschools or special departments – for example, for children with language impairment or autism.
Children have the chance to regularly participate at preschool and get to know both other children and educators.
The fee for attending preschool is adjusted according to the family's income. Children aged 3 years and above are entitled to attend for a certain number of hours without charge.
Registering for preschool
Register your child for preschool no later than four months before the date on which you want your child to start.
You will be informed by letter or email when a place is available. To secure the place, you must accept it by sending in your response within a certain period of time. If you do not respond in time, your child will lose the place and the registration will be cancelled.
If you have a Swedish personal identity number and BankID you can register for a place at preschool through our e-service.
When your child has been given a place at a preschool, you must submit information about your income through the e-service to ensure that you are charged the correct fee.
If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number and BankID you need to register for preschool through a form.
If you need support
If you have any questions about preschool, or if you would like help with the application, you can go to the Integration Centre, the reception desk at the city hall (Stadshuset), or the service centre in Rosengård. At these places there will be members of staff who can help you. You can also get help by telephoning or sending an email to the City of Malmö.
Preschools in Malmö
There are around 200 municipal preschools in Malmö. When you apply to one of the City of Malmö's preschools, you are guaranteed to receive a place within four months after the date of your application.
You can also apply for a place at independent preschools. In this case, you must apply directly to the preschool you are interested in. A place at an independent preschool costs the same as at a municipal preschool.
Opening hours at the preschool
Municipal preschools are open at 06.15–17.30 on Mondays–Fridays.
If necessary, they can extend their opening hours until 18.30.
The length of time your child can spend at the preschool depends on your work/studies and your child's needs. All children are entitled to 15 hours of public preschool per week, with no charge, starting from the autumn of the year of their 3rd birthday.
Cooperation between parents and preschool
The preschool cooperates closely together with parents. It is therefore important that you speak to a member of staff if there is anything you are unsure of or that you would like to say. A good time to speak to members of staff is when you drop off or pick up your child at preschool. The preschool also arranges individual development discussions, where parents and staff members talk about the child and the preschool.
If you have any questions concerning linguistic development or native language support, you should talk to the principal of your child's preschool.
Open preschool
An open preschool is a meeting place for parents and children aged from 0 to 6 years. Parents stay with their child throughout the visit to an open preshool. Attendance is free of charge, and you do not need to apply for a place. Open preschools are staffed by trained educators, who arranges sing-alongs and read books to the children. They can also provide parents with advice and support if needed.
All of the City of Malmö's open preschools can provide language training if you need to improve your Swedish. You can bring your children when you attend the language training.