medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

58Children andyoung peopleFAMILYChildren should be heard and given careand encouragementIn Denmark, children are generally seen as individuals to belistened to and involved at an early age in decisions affectingthem. Both families, day-care institutions and schools placeemphasis on teaching children, in a way that matches their ageand maturity, to take responsibility and show consideration forothers.Under Danish law, children are entitled to care and securityand to be treated with respect for their personal integrity.Hitting children or subjecting them to other kinds of violenceis illegal and punishable by law.This also applies to thecircumcision of young girls, which is a mutilating practicewith serious consequences for the girls. See also the fact boxon circumcision on page 115.Most children under six spend the daytogether with other children, for instance,in childminder care, a day nursery or akindergarten. There are many kinds ofday-care facility. The municipal authorityis responsible for providing day care, andthe range of facilities offered variesdepending on the municipality. However,the most common facilities include:• Municipal day care. In this type ofarrangement, the child is looked afterin a private home together with otherchildren by a childminder approved bythe municipal authority. Age group: 0to 3 years.• Day nursery. Age group: 0 to 3 years.• Kindergarten. Age group: 3 to 6 years.• Outlying kindergarten. Here, the childrenspend the day in the country-sideor in a forest.• Age-integrated day-care institution.This is a mixed facility for the 0 to 6-year age group.• Free-choice scheme. A scheme underwhich some municipal authoritiesoffer grants to parents who opt forprivate child care.Your child must be registered with theday-care registration department in yourmunicipality. If the municipal authority isunable to offer you a place immediately,your child’s name will be put on a waitinglist.The sooner you enter your child on thewaiting list, the better your chance ofgetting a place in the day-care facility ofDay nursery, day careand kindergartensYou must apply fora place