Reykjavík Preschools Raise Concerns Over Chronic Understaffing

2026-02-06 - 11:07

Preschool principals in Reykjavík have called on city authorities to address persistent staffing and workplace challenges, following a joint meeting held on Tuesday at Norðlingaskóli. According to an article in RÚV, the meeting came a day after principals submitted a formal letter requesting action from Reykjavík City Council, which has said it expects to respond in the coming weeks. What's the Story? Preschool principals met at Norðlingaskóli in Reykjavík Letter submitted to Reykjavík City Council on preschool staffing and working conditions 63 principals employed in Reykjavík’s municipal preschools City authorities said a response is expected by mid-month Reykjavík City Hall. Photo: Golli Staffing concerns raised According to the principals, understaffing has become a near-daily issue across the city’s preschools, contributing to operational strain and increased illness among staff. A total of 63 principals are employed in Reykjavík’s municipal preschools, and the majority attended the meeting. “There is almost understaffing every day and when preschools are downsizing. Usually, the staff has been working very closely for many days beforehand,” said Hulda Karen Eyjólfsdóttir, a preschool principal who attended the meeting. The letter criticises what principals describe as long-standing inaction on working conditions, including delayed implementation of proposed improvements that were due to take effect at the end of the year. Linda Rún Traustadóttir said the unified response was unprecedented. “Every single one of them signed this letter, and that has never happened before.” Another principal, Sigrún Grétarsdóttir, said the group had agreed to await a political response; “What we decided was perhaps mainly to be patient and wait for answers from politics.” Principals were later informed that a response is expected by mid-month. Staffing pressures have been linked to a shortened 36-hour working week, without a corresponding increase in employee numbers. “Our main point in this letter is actually to be a competitive workplace with other municipalities that have responded faster and more firmly,” Linda Rún added. “The reality is that the applicants we are advertising for are often people with little or no experience and little or no knowledge of Icelandic. That is the situation with us today.”