Municipal childcare services are available to all children aged between one year and 12 years. Since the maxtaxa system was introduced by the municipality in 2002 all children whose parents are on parental leave or unemployed have the right to childcare facilities. Since January 2003 the municipality introduced universal preschool which means that children aged 4-5 years are entitled to attend preschool childcare even if they do not fulfill the requirements. One of the aims of Linköping City Council is to give parents the opportunity to affect childcare services and select the childcare facility of their choice from the various forms available.

Broad organisation

The Children and Youth Committee who are responsible for childcare services in the municipality, offer childcare facilities in the form of preschool, open preschool, family daycare, leisure-time centre as well as open leisure-time activities. There are also a number of specialised operations for children in need of special support or for families with special childcare requirements for example during evenings or over-night. A large number of childcare facilities for children under the age of 6 years are run by private operators and can involve personnel cooperatives, parent-cooperatives, preschools with alternative pedagogic or private family daycare homes.

Wide variety of options

Skäggetorp, Lambohov and Ekolmen (will move to a new location in T1 this summer) areas all offer 24-hour childcare facilities for children aged from one year up to 12 years. In the Ekholmen area there is also a school specialising in sign language for children who are deaf or have hearing difficulties. Tanneforsskolan has facilities for children with serious speech impediments which include preschool, 9 year compulsory school as well as a leisure-time centre. Lambohov has a preschool designated for children with severe allergies and is open to children aged from one year to five years. This facility is equipped to administer medication to the children as well as preparing and cooking food for children suffering from serious food allergies. Holiday camps are arranged for children aged from 10 years to 15. 

Preschool activities for all within four months

Through the wide variety of preschool alternatives that are available the municipality guarantees that all children seeking childcare will be provided with a preschool place within four months of submitting an application.

Information and details as well as application forms relating to childcare operations are available on the municipal website through “e-tjänst”. Parents can click onto the relevant site and read about the various options provided by the municipality. They can also apply for a childcare place for their child, calculate childcare fees, submit income details, view their invoice and also give notice.