Day parents in Iceland: bridge care before preschool
Day parents are a practical childcare fallback in Iceland when parental leave ends before preschool placement is available or when families need care before municipal allocation.
Last updated: May 2026
Plan childcare timingWhat are day parents (dagforeldrar) in Iceland?
Day parents (dagforeldrar) are registered home-based childcare providers who care for a small number of children in their own home. They offer a more intimate childcare environment than municipal preschool and are particularly useful during the period between the end of parental leave and the start of preschool.
In Iceland, the childcare gap — the period when parental leave ends before a preschool spot is allocated — is a common planning challenge. Day parents serve as bridge care during this gap, providing continuity of care while parents wait for preschool allocation.
When day parents are the right option
Parental leave ends before preschool spot is available
The most common use case. Day parents bridge the gap between leave end and preschool start.
Child is too young for preschool but leave has ended
Most Icelandic preschools accept children from around 18 months. Day parents provide care for younger children during this period.
Weak waitlist position in the municipality
If the preschool waitlist position is weak and allocation is uncertain, day parents provide a fallback while the waitlist improves.
Need for more flexibility than preschool hours
Day parents sometimes offer more flexible hours than municipal preschool, which may suit working parents with non-standard schedules.
Day parent subsidies in Iceland
In some municipalities, registered day parents are subsidized through the municipal childcare system. In Reykjavík, for example, the municipality provides subsidies for children placed with registered day parents, reducing the cost for families. The subsidy amount varies by municipality and household income.
Important: confirm subsidy availability with your municipality
Subsidy rules and availability differ by municipality and can change. Always confirm the current subsidy policy directly with your municipality before arranging day-parent care. Birta Life includes subsidy reminders based on your municipality in the childcare planner.
How to find a day parent in Iceland
Day parents in Iceland operate independently. There is no single national database, but some municipalities maintain lists of registered day parents. In Reykjavík, the municipality keeps a list of registered day parents that parents can request.
Direct contact required
Finding and arranging a day parent requires direct contact with providers in your area. Birta Life notes where to start the search based on your municipality, but does not currently have a live day-parent directory. Always confirm the day parent's registration and subsidy eligibility with your municipality.
Frequently asked questions
What are day parents in Iceland?▼
When do day parents help?▼
Are day parents subsidized in Iceland?▼
How do I find a day parent in Iceland?▼
Related tools and municipality guides
Map your childcare gap before it appears
Use the Birta Life childcare planner to model your leave end date against preschool availability and identify where day parents fit.
Plan childcare timing