News - 07.05.2026
Changes to Preschools Call for Changes to Working Hours
The results of a new VR survey show that changes made at the preschool level have had a major impact on the daily lives of many families within the union. The survey also shows that the financial situation of parents is, in many cases, difficult — around one-third of respondents say their household finds it difficult to make ends meet.
Preschool Issues Are Wage Issues
In recent months, VR has strongly criticized those municipalities that have made extensive changes to preschool opening hours and fee schedules. The changes have weighed heavily on many families with children. Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Leader of VR, points out that preschool issues are wage issues and that access to preschools is the foundation that enables parents to participate in paid work. Through pricing measures and pressure, parents are being forced to shorten their children’s preschool attendance in order to solve municipalities’ funding problems.
Many Hold Negative Views Toward the Changes
In the survey, 76% of respondents said that changes had been made to preschool opening hours, services, or fee schedules in their municipality. Attitudes toward these changes are far more negative than attitudes toward municipal services in general — one-third of respondents are negative toward changes to preschool operations, while only 13% are negative toward municipal services overall. Around one-third of respondents are positive toward the changes to preschool operations, and an equally large proportion take no position on the issue.
One-Third Change Their Working Hours
Children’s attendance hours at preschool have been reduced by 44% of respondents following the changes, while only 2% say they have increased. One-third of respondents have also changed their own working hours to accommodate changes at their preschool. Of those who changed their working hours, 41% reduced their working hours, 34% increased work outside daytime hours, and 20% start the workday earlier or finish later than before the changes.
The data also strongly indicates that women are more likely than men to adjust their working hours in response to changes at preschools. Nearly half of men, or 46%, say their spouse has changed working hours to respond to changes in preschool operations. The same proportion among women is much lower, at 29%.
Difficult Situation for Parents in Many Places
The survey also shows that a fairly large proportion of parents within VR struggle to make ends meet.
- 31% of respondents say their household finds it difficult to make ends meet.
- 32% of respondents say it is difficult to cover costs related to children, such as extracurricular activities, clothing, entertainment, and packed lunches.
- 20% of respondents say they have decided not to register a child in extracurricular activities during the past 12 months because of the cost.
- 32% of respondents say it is difficult to cover housing costs.
The VR survey shows that the situation for parents is difficult in many places. Changes to preschool operations affect the organization of work and family life at the same time as many parents are experiencing significant pressure due to rising prices.
The survey was sent to nearly 11,000 VR members with children under the age of 18, and a total of 2,075 responses were received
