The number of children on Omø attending the small Danish island’s combined school and childcare centre has quadrupled from three to 12 in about a year. The increase has created an unexpected challenge for local authorities: finding enough space for them.
The school on Omø, an island administered by Slagelse Municipality, was reorganised into a shared children’s centre (børnehus) about a year ago. It now accommodates six primary-school pupils and six nursery and kindergarten children, bringing different age groups together in one building. Previously, the youngest children were cared for by a childminder, according to TV 2’s report on 21 October.
Several families have moved to the island over the past year. However, it is not clear whether the new childcare arrangements encouraged those moves, and the figures describe the children attending the centre rather than a wider demographic trend.
One school, several ages and a growing group of children
Joachim Johansen, the school’s only teacher, works with pupils ranging from the preparatory year to sixth grade. He adapts lessons to their different levels, sometimes giving younger children drawing exercises while older pupils prepare presentations.
Johansen moved to Omø in May with his wife, Cecilie Johansen, and their three children. The family lives in the school building. Cecilie works as an educator in the nursery and kindergarten section, housed in one of the school’s former specialist classrooms.
For third-grade pupil Edgar Iversen, the larger group has made school more enjoyable. Speaking to TV 2, he said:
“It is much more fun now than when there were only two of us at school. It was a bit boring back then.”
More children on Omø, but not enough room
The rapid rise in enrolment has exposed limitations in the building. Staff say there is no dedicated changing area or staff toilet, while the school lacks kitchen facilities for practical food education. Suitable sleeping facilities for younger children are also among the requirements the municipality must address.
On 29 September, Slagelse’s municipal council approved DKK 565,000 (approximately €75,600) for work on the childcare premises, including ventilation, fire alarms and fencing. The decision and the building’s remaining limitations were also described in local reporting on the council’s plans. The municipal council’s September meeting included the future of the Omø centre on its agenda.
That funding does not settle every question about how the shared premises should be used. Further decisions on the space and facilities are needed before the centre’s temporary authorisation expires on 2 December 2026.
For the municipality, the immediate task is to make the building suitable for both early-years childcare and primary education without losing the services that families now use on the island.
