kinder 560x300 Kindergartens (Barnehager) in the Stavanger Region
Kindergartens (barnehager) are a form of education for young children which serves as a transition from home to the commencement of more formal schooling. Children are taught to develop basic skills through creative play and social interaction. In Norway, children attend kindergarten any time between the ages 0 and 6 (the age ranges vary from every kindergarten, be sure to check).

The Stavanger, Sola and Sandnes Kommune offers families with children a large variety of kindergartens. Here is where you can find the different options offered:
Find kommunal and private kindergartens in Stavanger here.
Find kommunal and private kindergartens in Sola here. (under Barnehager)
Find kommunal and private kindergartens in Sandnes here.
You will have to fill out the online application form found on each of the kommune’s website to apply for a place in the kindergarten for your child.
Stavanger Kommune Application Form
Sola Kommune Application Form
Sandnes Kommune Application Form

Other offers from the kommune:

  • Family kindergarten (familiebarnehage) – an offer where small groups of children gather in a private home.
  • Open kindergarten (Åpen barnehage) – where you meet other people who are usually home with the children, at your own preferred time. The open kindergarten offers children and their caretakers the opportunity to interact with one another.
  • Family Groups (Familiegrupper) – informal playgroups formed by homemakers. Meetings are in one another’s homes. Check around in your neighbourhood for such a playgroup or set one up yourself.
  • Children Park (Barnepark) – Children are left to play outdoors in a daycare playground under the supervision of adults. The park usually consists of one shed which houses tools and toys and a toilet. Barnepark is usually much cheaper than a kindergarten.

Prices (per annum):
You pay according to how much time your child is in the kindergarten.
100 % – 25 630 kr
80 % – 23 067 kr
60 % – 17 941 kr
50 % – 15 378 kr
40 % – 12 815 kr
20 % – 7 689 kr
Barnepark – 5 400 kr
Food costs are not included in the above.


Nature Kindergarten/Outdoors kindergarten (Naturbarnehage/Friluftsbarnehage)


Parents can also opt to have their children placed in a kindergarten which is held almost exclusively outdoors, where the focus is on nature and the surroundings. Whatever the weather, children are encouraged to play, explore and learn in a natural environment. The adult supervision is meant to assist rather than lead.

A distinctive feature of these kindergartens is the emphasis on playing imaginative games using whatever resources and ideas come to mind and also playing with toys that are fashioned out of objects that can be found in nature, rather than commercial toys. These kindergartens are meant to fulfill the same basic purpose as other kindergartens, namely, to care for, stimulate, and educate young children.
Each kindergarten is different but these are possible activities that could occur:

  • Playing imaginative games using whatever resources and ideas come to mind.
  • Building shelters or other large structures from branches, with the help of other children and adults.
  • Counting objects or looking for mathematical patterns.
  • Memory games using naturally available objects.
  • Listening to stories; singing songs and rhymes.
  • Arranging items to make a picture, or building a toy.
  • Playing with and learning about farm animals.
  • Drawing pictures.
  • Climbing trees and exploring the forest.

Nature/Outdoors Kindergartens in the Stavanger region:
Soma Gard Naturbarnehage
Tusenfryd Barnehage


Do comment below if you know of more nature/outdoor kindergartens in the Stavanger region.



Kindergartens (Barnehager) in the Stavanger Region

About Cynthia Myrnes

Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!