Children in Denmark start school the calendar year in which they turn 6 and the school year begins in August.
The transition from kindergarten (børnehave in Danish) to school takes place at the beginning of May, when the children attend Skolefritidsordning, or SFO. This is actually the before and after-school leisure facility but most pre-schoolers attend during May and June, to get used to the school environment.
Once they start school in August, the day of teaching usually begins at 8am and finishes at 2pm. However most children will then stay on to attend SFO and some go to SFO in the morning as well, if their parents need to start work before 8am.
READ ALSO: Vuggestue or dagpleje? The difference between early Danish childcare options
SFO
Skolefritidsordning, or SFO is for children in grades 0 to 3 (six to ten year-olds) where there are staff-led activities including sport, outside games, indoor crafts, music, computer games, board games or simply playing with friends or quiet reading. The staff who work there aren’t the school teachers but special educators designated for these activities. All children are given a drink and snack while at SFO.
Most schools have an area that is fitted out for SFO activities but they can also use other school premises.
It’s usually open from 6.30am until 8am and then from when school finishes until 5pm.
Klub
This is the before and after-school club for older children, which is divided into three age categories.
Fritidsklub (10-11 years old).
Juniorklub (12-14 years old).
Ungdomsklub (14-18 years old).
The activities will vary depending on the individual club and the age range. They open the same times as SFO, from 6.30am before school and until 5pm after school.
Holiday clubs
All these clubs also run as holiday clubs, which often involve day trips.
Language
After-school facilities are generally in Danish. In private bilingual or international schools, the English department often mixes with the Danish department for SFO and Klub.
Extra-curricular activities
Some schools also provide different after-school activities such as choir, chess or instrument lessons, which come as an extra, at an additional cost.
It’s also common in Denmark for children to join clubs (Foreningsliv) outside of school like football, basketball, music groups which is also a good opportunity to make other friends.
READ MORE:
- ‘The cheapest in Europe’: A guide to international schools in Denmark
- EXPLAINED: How does the school system work in Denmark?
Prices of before and after-school clubs
All before and after-school clubs are optional but there will always be space for your child to join one.
There are fees for the clubs and they cost roughly the same in state (folkeskole) and private schools.
Fees are paid monthly and prices vary for state schools, depending on your municipality.
SFO: Around 1,665-2,000 kroner per month per child.
Morning club (Morgenpasning): Around 150- 400 kroner per month per child.
Fritidsklub and Juniorklub: Around 450 kroner a month per child.
Ungdomsklub: Free of charge.
Holiday club: Around 470 kroner per month. The month of July usually costs more.
There is a sibling discount, as well as a subsidised scheme for those on low household incomes.
By comparison, the cost of nursery (vuggestue up to 2 years and 10 months) is around 4,264 kroner a month including lunch (roughly €573).
For kindergarten (børnehave from 2 years and 10 months to 6 years) it is around 2,738 kroner a month including lunch (roughly €368). This covers a full-time places from Monday-Friday with full opening hours.
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