Childcare is given a high priority in Denmark. All children are guaranteed a spot in a daycare institution. However, it can take up to two months for a spot to be secured. Childcare is financed partly by the family, and partly by the municipality. 

Daycare centers are usually open from 6:30 until 17:00 although this can vary.

TYPES OF CHILDCARE

Nursery (Vuggestue)

Nurseries (Vuggestue) are for children between six months and 2 years and 10 months old. A nursery looks after larger groups of children.

Childminder (Dagplejer)

Childminder (Dagplejer) are also for children between six month and 2 years and 10 months old and the child is cared for in a private home by a childcare provider, who is hired by the municipality. A childminder looks after 4 or 5 children.

Kindergarten (Børnehave)

Kindergarten (Børnehave) is for children between 2 years and 10 months and six years old.

Combined nursery and kindergarten (Integreret institution)

In a combined institution (integreret institution) the nursery (vuggestue) and kindergarten (børnehave) is found on the same location. This means that the children between 0 and 6 years of age attend the same institution but are divided in groups according to their age and maturity.

PRIVATE OR PUBLIC CHILDCARE

Private

Your child can also attend a private childcare institution. A private daycare may be a childminder (dagpleje) where your child is cared for in a private home by a childminder who is approved by the municipality. It can also be a private nursery (vuggestue), a private kindergarten (børnehave), or a combination of the two.

• Selection of private childminders in Odense (in Danish)
• Selection of private childminders on Fyn (in Danish)
• Link to a Facebook group for private childminders in Odense
• See the list of private daycare centers

Public

• Find detailed information about public daycare in private homes (dagpleje) in Odense
• Map of public daycare institutions in Odense

HOW TO APPLY

Private

If you wish for your child to attend a private daycare, you need to contact the institution directly. Private daycares administer their own waiting lists and have their own criteria for admission. Therefore, the municipality cannot allocate a place in a private daycare.

Public

You apply for a referral to a nursery, childminder, or kindergarten online at the City of Odense's website (in Danish). Please note, that you and your child need to have CPR numbers in order to apply for childcare. Please contact our Newcomer Service if you need help with filling out the application.

COST OF CHILDCARE SERVICES

Private

Prices for private childcare institutions are individual.

Public

The monthly rates for full-time childcare in public institutions are:

Sibling discounts are offered. You pay for public childcare services 11 out of 12 months a year (the month of July is free, due to summer holidays).

DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Do you have questions about your application for childcare, waiting lists, payments, etc.?

Find more details about the cost of public childcare services

Find more information about childcare in Odense

Contact the office assigning childcare (Pladsanvisning)