State schools, private schools and international schools

State schools

Every child in Denmark has the right to free education at a Danish State school. There are no entrance requirements.
 

The State schools (Folkeskolen) provide public education for children between the ages of 6 and 16.
In Denmark, there is 10 years' compulsory school education. Children start school in August of the year they reach six. The first year is kindergarten class and is followed by nine years' schooling which may be supplemented by an optional year in 10th Grade.
 

Your child automatically belongs to a school in the school district in which you live. When your child is approaching school age, you will receive a letter from the school informing you how to enrol your child and inviting you to visit the school. You can choose a different State school or a private school (Friskole or Fri Grundskole), in which case you have to make contact with the school yourself.
 

There are 26 schools in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality: 22 State schools (Folkeskoler) and 4 special schools.

Six of the 22 Folkeskoler are designated "language centres" where foreign children are given extra Danish lessons. The number of extra Danish lessons varies according the needs of the child.

If you choose to enrol your child at one of the remaining 16 schools and if you child needs help with Danish, extra Danish lessons will be offered at one of the language centres (often outside normal school hours). It is important to note, however, that children learn most Danish when they attend a language centre school on a daily basis.
 

The current scheme offers extra Danish lessons for two years, after which you can choose to move your child to your local school.
 

Once you have found a suitable school, you can arrange to be shown around by the head of the school.
 

Each school has its own set of practical rules, such as whether children must change shoes when they enter the building, where they may gather during breaks, lunch scheme, etc.

These practical rules are found on the individual school's website.
 

Schools in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality

Private schools

In addition to State schools, there are private schools (frie grundskoler) when parents pay for their children's education. Private schools may be based on a different philosophy than State schools, but the academic subjects and social skills taught are the same. See www.friskoler.dk

International schools

A number of international schools in Denmark exist in Denmark at which teaching is in a language other than Danish.
 

Most international schools are established in accordance with the rules governing Fri Grundskoler and receive grant aid from the Danish State. There are also school fees, which vary from one school to the next.
 

If you wish to enrol your child at an international school, you must contact the school yourself. Some schools are extremely popular and have a waiting list.

International schools in Denmark are listed here >>

Some international schools require pupils to take a test. If their knowledge of the school's teaching language is insufficient, they will be offered intensive language courses.
 

Read more about schools and education at www.nyidanmark.dk
 

Childcare

All infants and small children in Denmark can be accommodated at childcare during the daytime. The daycare service in Ringøbing/Skjern Municipality covers all children from 24 weeks to 10 years up to and including 3rd Grade. Every child is guaranteed a childcare placement within three months of application in accordance with the national childcare guarantee scheme. This includes newcomers. 
 
Most childcare placements are at childcare institutions. There are also municipality-run childminder services for the under threes, where children are looked after in the childminder's home. If parents opt for private childcare instead of a municipal childcare placement, the municipality pays parents a subsidy to cover part of the cost of private childcare services. There are a very small number of private childcare services for which the municipality cannot offer subsidies.

All childcare institutions are required to prepare teaching plans so that parents are aware of the institution's aims for their educational work with the children. Staff at some institutions in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality are specially employed to help integrate bilingual children.
 

Contact:
Childcare Department
Dyrvigsvej 9
6920 Videbæk
Tel: +45 99742424

Read more here >>
 

The cost of childcare is fixed by the Municipal Council but parents are never asked to pay more than 25% of the total cost of a childcare placement. The price will often depend on whether the institution provides food.
 

After-school provision (Skolefritidsordning or SFO)

Children can attend an after-school scheme (most often called SFO) up to and including 3rd or 4th Grade. Here, children can play, do their homework and participate in a number of leisure activities. SFO opening hours vary. If you want a place at SFO for your child, you must apply through the municipality.
 
A fee is charged to cover some of the costs, although you may be eligible for a free placement. To apply for a free placement, contact the municipality. There are also a number of youth clubs in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality. For children who have outgrown SFO.