Leikskóli in Garðabær: how to apply and what to expect
Garðabær states a firm 12-month target and pays families directly while they wait — but it's the one municipality here with no free-hours scheme.
The facts
- Youngest age
- 12 months, from 1 September each year
- How to register
- Online via Þjónustugátt Garðabæjar (runs on Vala)
- When lists open
- Most places allocated March–April; rolling enrollment for remaining spots year-round
- Typical wait
- Not published as a figure — but a separate waitlist-payment scheme exists to bridge the gap
- Monthly cost
- 55,535 kr. for a full 40-hour week, including meals — from 1 January 2026
- Free hours
- None — Garðabær does not offer free hours; only sibling and income-based discounts
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
How to register
Apply through the resident portal
Submit your application via Þjónustugátt Garðabæjar, which runs on the shared Vala system underneath.
Wait for the March–April round
Most places are allocated then, with rolling enrollment for anything left over during the year.
Confirm within 5 working days
Garðabær expects a response to an offer letter within 5 working days.
Apply for waitlist payments if you're still waiting at 12 months
Garðabær pays biðlistagreiðslur to bridge the gap between the end of parental leave and an actual placement.
How this compares to other municipalities
Garðabær is the only municipality here with no free-hours scheme at all — it instead pays families directly (biðlistagreiðslur) while they wait past 12 months for a place, which is a different way of managing the same leave-to-leikskóli gap.
Official sources
Vagga is a planning tool, not a government authority. Always confirm details on the official Icelandic sources below.
Frequently asked questions
What age can my child start preschool in Garðabær?expand_more
How do I apply?expand_more
How much does it cost?expand_more
What if we're still waiting after leave ends?expand_more
Plan the whole gap, not just the waitlist
See how your municipality's rules line up with your parental leave and your child's age, in one place.
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