Living in an Expat World: Childcare – the Danish way

Tiny Maerschalk

About half a year ago my second daughter came into the world. I really enjoy the daily symbiosis with my baby daughter and time is truly flying at the moment. Soon I’ll be back in the office at International Community and everyday life will be turned upside down once again.

However, I look forward to starting to work again, and unlike a few of my international friends, who are used to other childcare models back home, I have never thought about not going back to my job. In Denmark almost all mothers go back to work due to the flexible work culture and childcare system, so it just never crossed my mind to stay at home for good.

Dual income society
Denmark is considered a dual income society and the childcare system for children aged 0-5 (preschool) is highly prioritised in Denmark, so both parents can work. In fact, all children are guaranteed a spot at a daycare institution, although it can take a few months to get one secured.

Quality wise, parents are generally satisfied with the childcare institutions in Denmark and rate them higher than in any of the other Scandinavian countries. Personally we are satisfied with our eldest daughter’s kindergarten and feel that we get our money’s worth.

A few facts for the uninitiated: the childcare programs and the price vary depending on the municipality, if it’s public or private and whether or not lunch is included. In 2013 the average price for enrolling children aged 0-3 at a public nursery was 2,800 kroner per month. This amount is reduced at kindergarten (ages 3-6) and you get a price reduction if you enroll siblings at public institutions.

Good work-life balance
Moreover, daycare centres are usually open from early morning until late afternoon, leaving plenty of time to bring and pick up your children. The long opening hours lead to another discussion about the looong days some children spend in daycare. Personally, we are able make the best of it due to the flexible workplace culture, which means we can both work and spend valuable time with our children as long as we plan ahead.

Denmark prides itself on having a healthy work-life balance, and the childcare model supports that. Understandably, the welfare model, the flexible working conditions and childcare facilities are all key aspects when international employees decide to come here to live and work – and major reasons why I have been here for 15 years!

 

Tiny_web

Belgium’s Tiny Maerschalk, who has worked for the International Community networking platform since its foundation in 2008, knows how it feels to settle in a new country. Dedicated to improving conditions for new arrivals, here she shares her insights about the business issues that mean the most to internationals in Denmark.

TOP STORIES

  • Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    After more than a decade living in Denmark, Russell shares why she made the move, how she’s coping, what she already misses, and the exciting new projects she’s working on. “It’s been a very tough decision. I love Denmark, and it will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says.

  • Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    The new Gefion AI supercomputer is one of the world’s fastest and will accelerate research and provide new opportunities in Danish academia and industry.

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs