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Official figures from UDIR · Updated 04 Jun 2026

Starting school 2026 — everything you need to know

Starting school (skolestart) is a big transition for the whole family. For the child, it means new routines, new adults and a brand-new daily life. For you as a parent, it means practical preparation — and giving the child a calm, safe start. This article gathers what you need to know before the first day of school in August.

Who starts school?

Children who turn six during the calendar year start school the same year. That means children born in 2020 begin year 1 in the autumn of 2026. School is compulsory from year 1 to year 10, and the child has the right and the duty to schooling under opplæringsloven §2-1. The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training also publishes parent-facing information about starting school.

Delayed school start (utsatt skolestart) is possible in special cases, but requires an expert assessment from the Educational-Psychological Service (PPT). The same applies if you want your child to start a year early.

What does the child need on the first day of school?

Most schools send out a supplies list well before the first day. A lot will be handed out at school, but a standard "starter kit" from home typically consists of:

  • Backpack and lunchbox
  • Writing book, pencils, erasers and colouring pencils (if the school does not provide these)
  • Gym bag with indoor shoes, T-shirt, shorts and a towel
  • Rain gear, winter clothing and sturdy footwear for outdoor lessons — all seasons
  • A water bottle and a small pencil case

Watch out: many schools have a "tidy classroom" policy that discourages toys or electronics in the backpack. Check with the school before filling the pencil case with everything from the shop.

Note that textbooks and core teaching materials are free — the municipality is responsible. You should not have to pay for schoolbooks, and you should not have to buy a tablet or a PC. If the school requires equipment that costs money, you have the right to have it covered.

Settling in and the first day

Most municipalities invite families to a pre-school or visit day in the spring. The child gets to see the classroom, meet the teacher and say hello to future classmates. Many parents find it useful to:

  • Walk the school route with the child several times before school starts — both on foot and by bicycle if relevant
  • Agree with neighbours on a shared school route if possible — it gives everyone a sense of security
  • Speak positively about school, but without over-promising ("everything will be fun!")
  • Stay calm and positive yourself — the child picks up on your signals

The first day is often short — one to two hours with parents present. The school normally spends the first week establishing routines, getting to know each other and settling in. Do not expect the child to come home with homework from day one.

After-school programme (SFO / AKS)

The after-school programme (skolefritidsordningen, SFO — called AKS, Aktivitetsskolen, in Oslo) is an offering outside school hours for years 1–4. From 2023 onwards, SFO is free for pupils in years 1 and 2 in every municipality, with up to 12 hours per week included at no cost. You pay for time beyond that.

The SFO application deadline is often as early as April–May — well before the start of school itself. Many municipalities require an active application — you do not get a place automatically. Check the municipality's website early.

SFO prices vary considerably between municipalities. A full place typically costs between NOK 2,500 and NOK 3,500 per month, but there are income-graded schemes and sibling discounts. See the dedicated article on SFO (Norwegian only) for details. In larger cities such as Bergen, you can also check each school's SFO page — for example Landås skole — for opening hours and activities.

Rights from day one

From the first day of school, your child is entitled to:

  • A safe and good school environment — opplæringsloven §9A. The school has a duty to act and must intervene if the child is not thriving. Read more in our article on bullying.
  • Adapted teaching (tilpasset opplæring) — teaching adapted to the child's level and aptitude. This is an entitlement for all pupils, not only those with special needs.
  • Free school transport (skoleskyss) — if the walking route is longer than 2 km (1 km for year 1), or if the route is particularly dangerous.
  • The local-school principle — as a rule, the child attends the nearest school. See the right to your local school.
  • Special needs education (spesialundervisning) where needed — if the child does not benefit satisfactorily from ordinary teaching. Requires a formal decision based on a PPT assessment. See special-needs education.

Financial support

Several schemes can ease the financial burden:

  • Free SFO for years 1–2 (12 hours/week)
  • Income-graded pricing and sibling discounts for SFO
  • Support for school equipment through NAV if you have low income
  • School fruit and school meals — some schools offer these, others do not

Common questions before school starts

Does the child need to read before school? No. The school teaches reading and writing from scratch. It is nice if the child recognises their own name and can hold a pencil, but there are no requirements.

Can we choose the school ourselves? The starting point is the local school. Some municipalities have free school choice or allow transfers if there is space. Check with your municipality's education office. See also the local-school principle.

What if the child does not thrive? Contact the class teacher early — ideally after the first or second week if something is off. The school has a duty to act and must investigate and put measures in place within a few days. You can also report concerns to the principal and, if needed, the County Governor (Statsforvalteren).

How much should I be at school? On first-year pupils' first day(s) it is normal for one parent to stay. After that, the child is expected to manage alone — it is part of becoming a schoolchild. Many schools hold a parents' coffee morning during the first few weeks.

What about homework? Homework load varies between municipalities and schools. Some schools give daily homework from year 1, others from year 2 or 3. Homework should always be something the child can manage with a little support from home.

Plan the coming months

A short timeline for parents preparing for school start:

  • April–May: Apply for SFO, attend the pre-school day, buy back-to-school clothes
  • June: Walk the school route together several times, read information letters from the school
  • July: Take a break — do not build up expectations too much
  • The week before school starts: Introduce earlier bedtimes, prepare the backpack

Good luck with the start of school! Remember that the first few weeks are often more tiring than expected — for the child and for you. Be patient, and take care of yourselves.