The number of employees in kindergartens has increased roughly at the same pace as the number of children in kindergartens. At the end of 2008, the number of children in kindergartens had increased by 12 000 compared with the previous year. At the same time, the number of man-years rose by 4 600, and the number of employees by 5 400.
In 2008, about 89 per cent of the directors and educational leaders had an approved pre-school teacher education or other college education that qualified them to work with children. This is nearly the same level as in 2007. Most of the employees were women; only 9 per cent were men.
By the end of 2008 there were 261 900 children in kindergartens; 12 100 more than in 2007. Nine out of 10 children in kindergarten attended full-time places. A place used by agreement of 33 or more hours per week counts as a full-time place. A total of 87 per cent of all children between 1 and 5 years had a place in a kindergarten. For children aged 1-2 years, about 75 per cent attended kindergarten. For children aged 3-5 years, 96 per cent attended kindergarten. On average, there were 4 children per man-year, the same as the previous year.
Published 15 June 2009 © Statistics Norway