Leikskóli in Reykjavík: how to apply and what to expect

Reykjavík is the largest system in the country, with its own admission tracker and its own free-hours scheme. Here's what the city actually publishes.

The facts

Youngest age: Target 18 months by 1 September each year; you can apply once your child is registered in Þjóðskrá, a few days after birth
How to register: Online via Vala (umsokn.vala.is) — as soon as your child is registered in Þjóðskrá
When lists open: Rolling; most places allocated March–May
Typical wait: Not published — Reykjavík instead offers an individual Admission Tracker
Monthly cost: 33,290 kr. for a full 8-hour day, including meals — from 1 April 2026
Free hours: First 36 hours/week free of the attendance fee (meals still charged)
Official page: reykjavik.is/en/preschools
Last checked: 17 September 2026

How to register

Register on Vala

Create your child's application in Vala (umsokn.vala.is), the shared preschool system — as soon as your child is registered in Þjóðskrá, a few days after birth.

Track your window

Reykjavík aims to offer a place, starting in the autumn, to children who are 18 months old by 1 September of that year; autumn places are allocated in the main allocation in early spring (March–April). Use the city's Preschool Admission Tracker for an estimate of your child's position on the waitlist.

Confirm the offer

Most offers go out between March and May. Confirm promptly — Reykjavík doesn't hold a place indefinitely.

Start settling in

Most preschools schedule a settling-in period (aðlögun) before your child's regular days begin.

How this compares to other municipalities

Reykjavík's free-hours threshold — 36 hours a week — is higher than in some other municipalities (Hafnarfjörður's is 30), which is part of why its full-day bill is lower than in municipalities that start charging at a lower threshold.

Hafnarfjörður →Kópavogur →

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 Reykjavík?expand_more

The city's target is 18 months by 1 September. You can apply as soon as your child is registered in Þjóðskrá, a few days after birth, and the waitlist is ordered by age — oldest first.

How do I apply?expand_more

Through Vala, the shared online preschool system used across most of Iceland — you can apply as soon as your child is registered in Þjóðskrá.

How much does it cost?expand_more

33,290 kr./month for a full 8-hour day including meals, as of 1 April 2026 — the first 36 hours a week are free of the attendance fee.

What if there's no place when my leave ends?expand_more

A dagforeldri (day parent) is the normal bridge option in Reykjavík — see our day parents guide.

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.

Plan my childcare