The City of Stockholm has more than 800 preschools, as well as 70 pedagogical care institutions and 50 open preschools.
Right to preschool
Children between the ages of one and five have the right to attend preschool or pedagogical care institution. This right applies to children who are either registered residents or otherwise live in the City of Stockholm.
This means that children are also entitled to a place if their guardians:
- are in Sweden under EU law
- are asylum seekers
- have a temporary residence permit
Your child has the right to preschool if you, as a guardian:
- are working
- are studying
- are actively seeking employment
- are on parental leave for a sibling.
Guaranteed place
From their first birthday, your child is entitled to a place in a municipal preschool. This is known as a guaranteed place (platsgaranti).
Once your application has been received, your child will be entitled to a place within three calendar months. For example, if you apply in January, your child will be guaranteed a place in April.
What types of preschool are there?
A preschool can be municipal or independent. Once your child has a place in a preschool or pedagogical care institution, you will pay a monthly fee.
Preschool is a pedagogical activity that will be good for your child’s learning and development. Preschools work according to the preschool curriculum and legislation on schooling. Some preschools are run as parent co-operatives, where you will be expected to help out in the organisation at certain times each month.
A pedagogical care institution is a smaller group of children that are cared for by a daycare provider in their own home. The curriculum is indicative, but not binding.
An open preschool is a free-of-charge organisation that you can attend with your child and where you can meet other children and guardians. No application is required.
Find and compare preschools
There are many preschools to choose from.
Apply for a preschool place
Apply for a place using the Edlevo e-service.
When you apply for a place at a preschool or pedagogical care institution, your child will receive a queue date. Your child’s six-month birthday is the earliest queue date you will receive, even if you can make the application before your child is six months old.
As an alternative, you can apply to a place with a form.
Application for preschool and family care (pdf)
Help and support
The contact centre can answer most of your questions regarding preschooling in the City of Stockholm.
Contact centre
Phone: 08-508 00 508
E-mail: forskola@stockholm.se
You can also visit one of the City of Stockholm’s citizens offices (medborgarkontor), where you can meet and speak to a community advisor. They can answer certain questions about preschools.