KKFO

In Denmark, there is a longstanding tradition of children and young people attending after school care when school is over. After school care has a great influence on the development, learning and well-being of children and youths. 

Children and youths are eager to attend after school activities. They form friendships, are safe with adult supervision and are able to decide what they want to do with their free time. During after school care, children can play and be exposed to a wide range of activities that motivate, challenge and strengthen their desire to learn. In this document, you can read more about leisure activities for children aged 5-9 years. 

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What is an after school institution? 

An after school institution (fritidsinstitution) or KKFO is an institution for children aged 5-9 years. The children attend after school institutions every day after school is over. Some institutions are open in the morning before school begins. Each school has one affiliated after school institution. In Copenhagen, almost 95% of primary school children are enrolled in an after school institution. 

Children usually start in an after school institution shortly before they start school, i.e. at 5-6 years of age. Children usually attend the after school institution all day before the start of school. 

In after school institutions, a child is challenged, taught and developed to achieve his or her full potential. 

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Friendships and social competencies 

At after school institutions, a child makes friends and learns Danish and the Danish culture in a natural setting. The teachers work with the children’s abilities to cooperate, resolve conflicts and understand feelings and intentions of their own as well that of others. Children will also develop an understanding of democracy, worldview and inclusion in relation to their differences. 

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Activities 

After school centres offer children a variety of games and activities. For example, children can participate in sewing, cooking and ball games. Children can decide what they want to do in an after school centre. By joining different activities, the child can also learn more specific words in Danish. Teachers support the child’s language development through daily activities. 

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Everyday life in after school institutions 

Some after school institutions are open in the morning before school begins. Here the child can have breakfast. 

In the afternoon, the youngest children will be picked up from school and taken to the after school institution. Older children go to the after school institution accompanied by their friends. 

When the children arrive, they can, with the help of the staff, choose which games and activities they would like to join. 

The children are offered a little snack in the late afternoon. 

Many parents will pick their children up from after school institutions in the late afternoon. If you want your child to go home by him- or herself, you must arrange this with the staff. 

During the school holidays, children can attend an after school institution all day but this requires enrolment. 

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Your responsibility as a parent 

All children with a CPR number can get a place at an after school institution. The child must be registered in the institution through The Placement Service (Pladsanvisningen): http://www.kk.dk/fritidsinstitution. In some cases, you may be eligible for a subsidy or a free place. 

When your child starts in an after school institution, it is important that you contact the staff and talk to them about your child’s language skills, interests, well-being and development so that they can take good care of your child. 

It is a good idea to have ongoing communication with the staff about your child and your expectations of the institution. 

You should also keep yourself informed of events or activities that are going on at your child’s after school institution. It is also a good idea to attend parent meetings which are regularly organised by the after school institution. 

If you want to meet the staff and talk about your child or your family, you should contact them. You should always ask the staff or management if you would like more information.