Education and childcare

Early Childhood Education and Care

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is for children under school age (children aged 1-6 years). Municipalities are responsible for the development and supervision of both private and municipal institutions and for ensuring that institutions are run according to the Framework Plan and the Kindergarten act. ECEC institutions are generally referred to as kindergartens. In Norwegian they are called "barnehage". The Framework Plan for the Content and Tasks of Kindergartens states the fundamental principles, goals, contents and activities for all kindergartens, both public and private.

For more information: Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) | udir.no

To apply for a place in “barnehage”/kindergarten/pre-school, you and your child need a Norwegian personal number or D-number. You apply online to both municipal and private “barnehager” in the same application form. The application form is in Norwegian only. You do not have to log in to apply. Link to application form: Min side | Foresattportalen for barnehage, SFO og Skoleinnmelding | Portal for opptak i barnehage og/eller SFO

The operating hours are generally from 07:30 to 16:30. As of August 2025, the cost for a place is NOK 1200, and food costs approximately NOK 400-600. Updated information about the price: Pris og moderasjonsordninger i barnehage - Bodø kommune

For more information about “barnehage”/ kindergarten/pre-school (information in norwegian only): Barnehage - Bodø kommune

Currently, there is no international kindergarten available in Bodø. However, plans are underway to establish an international class in a preschool, aiming to meet the needs of international families in the region.

If you have questions, need help to apply, or if you do not have a Norwegian personal number, you can send an email to: barnehageopptak@bodo.kommune.no

PRIMARY AND LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The Norwegian school system, known as the "grunnskole", is a compulsory 10-year system divided into primary school (barneskole) and lower secondary school (ungdomsskole). Children start primary school at age 6 and progress one grade per year. 

After compulsory education, the county offers three-five years of optional upper secondary education for all. Secondary schools offer internationally recognized education programmes. The upper secondary level offers pathways to either a vocational diploma or a higher education entrance qualification, with specialized schools focusing on music, drama, sports, etc. 

Education at the primary and secondary levels is universally provided by national, regional, or local governments, adhering to the national curriculum from the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.

The education system in Norway (Udir)

Public reception schools offer introductory classes

Newly arrived pupils in grades 1 and 2 participate in education at their local schools. Pupils from grades 3-10 are offered education at a reception school (initially until assessment shows that they have mastered most of the objectives according to the curriculum in basic Norwegian at level 1) but can also choose to attend their local school. When the assessment shows that the pupil has mastered the objectives at level 3 and thus has sufficient skills in Norwegian to follow ordinary education, they shall be discharged from special language education. At that time, the right to bilingual education in subjects also ceases.

Before and after-school programmes (abbreviated as SFO in Norwegian)

SFO is offered both before and after school and facilitates play, cultural, and recreational activities under the supervision of qualified personnel. SFO most often takes place in or in connection with the premises of the school.

Bodø kommune offers SFO to all children in grades 1–4 and to children with special needs in grades 1–7. SFO facilitates play, learning and various social and cultural activities according to the children’s age and functional level. SFO promotes belonging and friendship, and is essential for children’s social, cultural and language development. Participation in SFO is voluntary. You may contact the municipality for more detailed information on attending SFO and the parental fee. Skolefritidsordning (SFO)

To apply for a place in SFO you and your child needs a norwegian personal number or d-number. The appliction form is in norwegian only. You do not have to log in to apply. Link to application form: Min side | Foresattportalen for barnehage, SFO og Skoleinnmelding | Portal for opptak i barnehage og/eller SFO