Symposium 50 years Norwegian Kindergarten Act (1975-2025)
The KINDknow (HVL) group Norwegian and Nordic phenomena of (self-)formation – Historical perspectives on early childhoods group and the research group B(u)DA (HVL) invite you to a symposium on 50 years Norwegian Kindergarten Act.
Date and time: 13 November 2025, from 10:45 to 15:45
Location: HVL, Campus Bergen, K1, Fyrrommet.
Please sign up for the symposium hereRegistration deadline is 7th november
Quality kindergartens are the best investment a country can make to give all children a fair start in life. While Norwegian politics has prioritised kindergartens in recent years, the situation in countries with weaker economies is vastly different. All Norwegian children were granted the right to a kindergarten place in 2009, whereas 60% of children in low- and middle-income countries still lack access to such facilities. These perspectives and related discussions are worth considering as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Norway’s first Kindergarten Act.
We will moreover connect these discussions to contemporary issues. This will offer a chance to reflect on recent Norwegian history and to grasp what legal frameworks mean for children, childhoods, family life, and the workforce. We will analyse the implications of recent changes for kindergarten staff, while considering the significance of legal frameworks and the lack thereof, as seen in many countries. By illuminating the events surrounding the inception and aftermath of the first Kindergarten Act in Norway, we will discuss what enables and/or constrains the development of high-quality kindergartens and its repercussions for children, childhoods, and education.
Featured Speaker: Professor Anne Greve, a leading expert in kindergarten pedagogy at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University. Her extensive work since her thesis on the professional history of kindergarten teachers in 1992 has centered around the history of kindergarten and the teaching profession. She has authored several books focusing on kindergarten teachers and their knowledge base and teaches at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in kindergarten teacher education.
Additional Speakers: Professor II Merethe Roos, PhD Candidate Camilla H.H. Farestveit
Program for the Symposium 50 years Norwegian Kindergarten Act (1975-2025)
| 10:45 | Coffee for a good start into the symposium! |
| 11:00 - 11:15 |
Opening and introduction Professor Elin Ødegaard briefly intrduces the symposium (goal - agenda). Place thereof in KINdknow’s project/groep Norwegian and Nordic phenomena of cultural (self)formation – Historical perspectives on early childhod and links to HVLs research group B(u)DA |
| 11:15 - 12:15 | Presentation PhD candidate Camilla H. H. Farestveit (30 mins). Discussion (30 mins) |
| 12:45 - 13:00 | Lunch and conversations |
| 13:00 - 14:00 | Presentation Professor Anne Greve (30 mins). Discussion (30 mins) |
| 14:00 - 14:10 | Bathroom break |
| 14:10 - 15:10 | Presentation Professor II Merethe Roos (30 mins). Discussion (30 mins) |
| 15:10 - 15:20 | Bathroom break |
| 15:20 - 15:45 |
Closing comments and discussion (Professor Elin Ødegaard, Associate Professor Geert Thyssen, all participants) |
