News - 24.11.2025

Call for Consultation with Parents on Preschool Issues

The Leader of VR harshly criticizes Reykjavík city authorities for the lack of consultation regarding proposed changes to the preschool environment in the city. VR met with city authorities this morning to follow up on comments the union has made about these changes — the Leader of VR expressed disappointment after the meeting.

VR has repeatedly pointed out that preschool issues are wage and working conditions issues, and it is therefore incomprehensible that the interests of working parents are not taken into account when extensive changes are made to preschools. In recent months, VR has fought against excessive increases in preschool fees by municipalities and demanded that the burden not be placed on parents of young children.

Representatives from VR met with representatives of the city council majority, along with officials, to discuss the matter and present the union’s position. Halla Gunnarsdóttir, the Leader of VR, said the meeting was disappointing. “It was made clear in the meeting that the main goal of the city is to shorten children's time in preschool to respond to the shortening of the working week for preschool employees. Within VR, there are five thousand working parents of preschool children, the vast majority of whom work longer hours than public sector employees. This directly contradicts the municipalities' obligations in connection with collective agreements to impose additional burdens on these parents, and we will fight this with full force.”

VR emphasizes that the voices of parents and those whose interests are at stake must be heard. The shortening of the preschool working week cannot be carried out at the expense of parents. VR proposes that the changes be withdrawn and reworked in consultation with parents and their interest groups.

VR’s Opinion on Case No. 11/2025 – Improvements to the Educational and Working Environment in Preschools (Icelandic only)

Further coverage from VR on preschool issues