Gothenburg doubles preschool hours for parental leave families
Gothenburg will double free preschool hours for children with parents on parental leave, expanding from 15 to 30 hours weekly. The initiative begins next year and will cost 80 million SEK annually after 2026. City officials call it a "long-awaited" support measure for families.
Children with parents on parental leave in Gothenburg will receive double the preschool hours starting next year. The red-green coalition government's budget increases free preschool time from 15 to 30 hours weekly.
This expansion will cost 40 million SEK in 2026, then 80 million SEK annually. Jonas Attenius, the city council chairman, called the change "long-awaited" in a press statement.
He said more preschool hours provide relief for families and safer routines for children. "The youngest child gets to bond with their parent while the sibling continues developing and maintaining preschool routines," Attenius explained.
The initiative will be funded partly through a planned 650 million SEK dividend from municipal companies. This policy reflects Sweden's ongoing commitment to supporting working parents through subsidized childcare.
While the expansion benefits families, it represents a substantial ongoing investment for Gothenburg taxpayers. The city clearly prioritizes early childhood education despite the significant budget commitment required.