Moving between Norway and Italy with a small child? One of the first big questions is kindergarten. Norway has the barnehage. Italy has the asilo nido and the scuola dell’infanzia. They share the same goal, happy and confident children, but they get there in different ways.
This guide compares ages, costs, daily life and teaching style, so you know what to expect in each country. Read it, watch the videos, or press play and listen.
In this article
The two systems at a glance
| Norway | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | Barnehage: about 1 to 5 years | Asilo nido: about 3 months to 3 years. Scuola dell’infanzia: 3 to 6 years |
| School starts | In August of the year the child turns 6 | At 6 (primary school, scuola primaria) |
| Compulsory? | No | No |
| Cost | National maximum fee: 1,200 kr a month from August 2025 (700 kr in the most rural municipalities), plus food | Nido: fee set by the municipality or private provider, often based on family income (ISEE). State scuola dell’infanzia: no tuition, but meals and extras are paid |
| National guide | Framework plan for kindergartens (Rammeplan for barnehagen) | National guidelines (Indicazioni nazionali), organised in “fields of experience” |
| Style | Play, outdoor life and social skills first | Play and projects, with more planned group activities, especially in the last year |
Norway: the barnehage
Most children in Norway go to barnehage from around their first birthday. Children have a legal right to a place from about age one, and the municipality runs the application process.
- Outdoors in all weather. Children play outside every day, in rain and snow. Parents send rain gear, wool layers and spare clothes. The famous saying: Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær (there is no bad weather, only bad clothes).
- Play first. There is no formal reading or writing lesson. Language, numbers and nature come in through play, songs, books and trips.
- Staff ratios. The law sets a minimum of one adult per three children under three, and one per six children over three.
- Trained leaders. Pedagogical leaders are kindergarten teachers (barnehagelærer), a three-year university degree.
- Fees. The national maximum fee is 1,200 kr a month from August 2025. Families with low income, and siblings, can get reductions.
Italy: nido and scuola dell’infanzia
Italy has an integrated 0–6 system with two stages.
- Asilo nido (about 3 months to 3 years). Run by municipalities or private providers. Places can be limited in some cities, so apply early. Fees often depend on family income, and families can apply for the national bonus asilo nido from INPS.
- Scuola dell’infanzia (3 to 6 years). Not compulsory, but most children attend. State schools charge no tuition; families usually pay for meals. A typical day runs about 8 hours.
- Learning through projects. Teachers plan activities in “fields of experience”: the self and others, the body, images and sounds, words, and knowing the world. In the last year there is often more focus on getting ready for school.
- Famous approaches. Italy is the home of the Reggio Emilia approach and of Maria Montessori. Not every school follows them, but their ideas are well known.
A day in each country
| Time | Typical barnehage (Norway) | Typical scuola dell’infanzia (Italy) |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Drop-off, breakfast brought from home or served, free play | Arrival, circle time, songs and the day’s plan |
| Mid-morning | Outdoor play or a trip to the forest | Group activity: art, language, numbers, music |
| Lunch | Simple lunch, often bread and spreads, sometimes a hot meal | Hot lunch in the school canteen, often with several courses |
| Afternoon | Rest for the youngest, then more outdoor play | Rest for the youngest, quiet play, garden time |
| Pick-up | Often around 15:00–16:30 | Often around 16:00 |
These are typical examples. Every kindergarten has its own routine, so ask for the weekly plan.
Tips for families who move
Moving from Italy to Norway
- Apply for barnehage early. Check your municipality’s main admission deadline.
- Buy good outdoor clothes. The barnehage will tell you what to bring.
- Do not worry if your child is not learning letters at four. In Norway that comes later, at school.
- Learn a few Norwegian words with your child. Staff are used to helping children who speak other languages.
Moving from Norway to Italy
- Look for a nido place well in advance, especially in big cities.
- Expect more planned group activities and a hot lunch at school.
- Ask about the canteen fee, the timetable and the start of the school year (usually September).
- Keep some outdoor time at home: Italian schools have gardens, but outdoor time is usually shorter in bad weather.
Watch: outdoor kindergarten and Reggio Emilia
Video: “Atypical Schools: Norway’s Outdoor Kindergarten (Learning World)” by WISE Channel, on YouTube.
Video: “Preschool Philosophies: Reggio Emilia Approach” by No Small Matter, on YouTube.
FAQ
At what age do children start kindergarten in Norway?
Most start around age one. Children have a legal right to a place from about one year old, and they stay until school starts in August of the year they turn six.
How much does barnehage cost in Norway?
From August 2025 the national maximum is 1,200 kr a month for a full-time place, or 700 kr in the most rural municipalities. Food is often extra. Siblings and low-income families can pay less.
Is scuola dell’infanzia free in Italy?
State schools charge no tuition. Families usually pay for meals and sometimes for transport or extra activities. Private schools charge fees.
Which system is better?
Neither is simply better. Norway puts more weight on outdoor play and independence. Italy offers more planned group activities and a strong food culture. Both value play and relationships.
Will my child learn the new language?
Young children usually pick up a new language quickly at kindergarten. Keep speaking your home language too, and read together in both.
Keep learning
- Learn the language: the free Norwegian course and the free Italian course.
- For teachers and staff: the free course Building a Safe and Supportive School Environment.
- Moving to Norway: the step-by-step checklist for EU citizens.
Fees, deadlines and rules are set nationally and by each municipality and can change. Check your municipality (kommune or comune) for current details. Norwegian fees checked October 2026.
