Becoming a family is a wonderful but also challenging experience especially when you are living away from your social network and family.
These networks focuses on expats with small children.
Odense
- Odense International parent group have many different events going on for children. They also have a dialogue on their facebook group where you can follow some of the issues concerning kids that expats have in Denmark.
- Sitly.dk is a homepage that connect international families with babysitters in Odense.
- The project garden is an opportunity for international children in Odense to meet up regularly in a school garden and learn more about nature and where our food comes from. It is possible for parents to meet up at the same time in the garden. To know more about the project, and how to sign up, contact Annika Jarl, jarl@sdu.dk.
- In the Mamma Mia group expecting and new moms from all over the world meet once a week with their babies.
Besides this a lot of baby activities are going on in the city, for instance:
- Babybio, the different cinemas in town show movies during the day where you are allowed to bring your babies.
- Baby swimming, some public swimming pools offer different swimming activities for you and your baby. Look at your local municipality homepage to find out more.
Sønderborg
If you want to find information about childcare in Sønderborg, please have a look at this website for newcomers.
In Denmark, most children are enrolled in a daycare programme before they start primary school. A wide range of daycare programmes are available. Some are public and heavily subsidized by public funds while others are private without financial support from municipalities.
To enroll your child, contact your local municipality and ask for “Pladsanvisningen”. You should be aware that there might be waiting lists for daycare programmes, and you are therefore advised to contact the administration at Pladsanvisningen as soon as possible after getting registered in Denmark.
Please find further information by clicking on your city below:
Primary education
In Denmark, education is compulsory between the age of 6 and 15. In the year the child turns 6 years old, he or she can attend a public Danish primary school for free.
Your child will be given Danish lessons in an integration class for as long as necessary, and will then be transferred to the nearest primary school. Private schools in Denmark charge a tuition fee.
You can read more about primary and secondary education in Denmark here.
For an overview of the entire Danish education system (including adult education), please visit the website of The Ministry of Education.
International schools
A number of international schools offer instruction in other languages than Danish. The international schools charge an instruction fee. Interested applicants must contact the individual school to inquire about a spot for their child. Some schools are very popular and have waiting lists. You may also wish to ask if the school can guarantee an after-school facility for your child. We strongly recommend contacting the individual school as early as possible.
Below you can find a list of international schools in the areas where SDU is situated:
Odense International School
Odense International School is located together with Henriette Hørlücks School in the city center. It provides internationally recognized primary and secondary education for children between the ages of 5 and 16. If you want your child to be enrolled in an international school with an international certified programme in English you can contact Henriette Hørlücks Skole in Odense.
Esbjerg International School
Esbjerg International School currently has over 170 registered students representing 35 nationalities from ages 3-17. Though English is the main language of instruction at EIS, students with no prior English ability are accepted at all age levels. Read more about the school on their website.
International School of Billund
The closest international school for citizens living in Kolding is the one in Billund. You can read more about the International School here.
Sønderborg International School
Sønderborg International School has more than 100 students representing 30 nationalities from the ages between 6-16. You can find more information about the school at their website.
Upper secondary school
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a 2-year international upper secondary school diploma program that is offered in over 100 countries, including Denmark.
Find more information about the program, entry requirements and admission under each educational institution on the list at Uddannelsesguiden.
The closest upper secondary school to Odense is at Nyborg Gymnasium. Besides the Danish upper secondary education program they also offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) - an international diploma program that is recognized by universities worldwide. The IB program is taught in English. Tuition is free. For further information visit their website
The International Baccalaureate in Esbjerg is offered by Esbjerg Gymnasium, Spangsbjerg Møllevej 310, 6705 Esbjerg Ø. Tel.: 7514 1300. For more information visit their website.
The International Baccalaureate in Kolding is offered by Kolding Gymnasium, Skovvangen 10, 6000 Kolding. Tel: 7633 9600. For more information visit their website.
The International Baccalaureate in Sønderborg is offered at Teknisk Gymnasium Sønderjylland, Hilmar Finsens Gade 14-18, 6400 Sønderborg. Tlf.: 7412 4242. For more information visit their website.
We know that it is important for you to create a network quite fast, when you arrive in a foreign country. Therefore, ISO has made some activities especially for spouses/partners, which gives you the opportunity to meet with other people - no matter where you are in your life. For example:
- International parent group, for parents with children or moms to be (Cooperation with International Community Odense).
- Spouse café, twice a month at a café in Odense (in cooperation with International Community Odense)
When you arrive in Denmark, we offer you and the entire family (incl. kids) a welcome talk. This is a personalized and informal talk about whatever is on your mind, and how we can help you and your family to get settled in your new life fast and easy.
Campus Odense
Please contact Annika Jarl: jarl@sdu.dk for booking your welcome talk.
Campus Kolding and Esbjerg
Please contact iso@sdu.dk for booking your welcome talk.
Campus Sønderborg
Please contact iso@sdu.dk for booking your welcome talk.