Childcare is given a high priority in Denmark. All children are guaranteed a spot in a public 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 are for children between six months and 2 years and 10 months old. A nursery looks after larger groups of children.

Childminder (dagplejer)

Childminders are also for children ages six months to 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 is for children between 2 years and 10 months and six years old.

Combined institution (integreret institution)

In a combined institution, the nursery and kindergarten are 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.

Find detailed information about public daycare in private homes (dagpleje) in Odense

Map of public daycare institutions in Odense

HOW TO APPLY

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

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

You'll find the updated rates for public childcare in Odense on the municipality's main website

PRIVATE CHILDCARE

Private childcare is also an option. The structure and everyday life in a private childcare facility does not differ from that of a public one as they all adhere to same set of rules and obligations, but it is financed differently, and you sign up by contacting the childcare facility/childminder directly.

Learn more about private childcare

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)