Guidance — not the municipality

Danish daycare system explained

International parents often meet Danish terms like vuggestue, børnehave and dagpleje. This page explains the basics in calm, practical language.

Main types of childcare

  • Vuggestue — nursery (roughly 6 months–3 years)
  • Børnehave — kindergarten (roughly 3–6 years)
  • Dagpleje — childminder in a home setting
  • Integrated institutions — nursery and kindergarten under one roof

Who decides placement?

Your municipality runs digital placement (pladsanvisning). Rules, deadlines and priority differ by kommune. Min Børnehave helps you search and compare — it is not the official placement system.

What Min Børnehave does not show

We do not show live vacancies, waiting-list position or quality ratings. Data is guiding — always confirm with the municipality or institution.

Practical next steps