On the 1st of May 2015, a new national policy for household payments for kindergarten was put into effect. The policy ensures that no household pays more than six per cent of their total gross annual income for a kindergarten place, up to a given maximum rate. As of January 2026, the maximum monthly rate was NOK 1 200. In the least central municipalities, the maximum rate was NOK 700. The policy regulates public and private kindergartens equally.

In January 2026, the average Norwegian household paid NOK 997 for a kindergarten place. Furthermore, the kindergartens collected on average NOK 428 per child to cover food and other expenses. On average, privately owned kindergartens collect more fees for food and other expenses than public kindergartens.

The mean annual payment for a full-time place in Norwegian kindergartens, including food and other costs, was NOK 15 671 in January 2026. This is 31,3 per cent lower than in January 2025. The drop in annual payments is largely explained by a reduction in the government set maximum rate, from NOK 2 000 to NOK 1 200. The average paid meal expenses per child increased by 4,6 per cent during the same period.

As of January 2026, kindergarten was free in 34 municipalities.