Quality Differences of Public, For-Profit and Nonprofit Providers in Scandinavian Welfare? User Satisfaction in Kindergartens

The study investigates the differences between public, non-profit and private kindergartens seen from the perspective of parents. The researchers ask how parents perceive differences between the various kindergartens and how this variation can be explained.

The analysis identified two main results: 1) Despite small differences, parents with children in non-profit kindergartens were generally more satisfied than parents who used public and private kindergartens. 2) An important explanation for variations in user satisfaction among the kindergartens was identified in the quality of food that was served. This is the only area where Norwegian kindergartens have the opportunity to adjust the price.

The study is based on data from a municipal survey conducted by the City of Oslo in 2015 among parents of children who attended public, non-profit or private kindergartens. The data material consists of responses from the parents of 24,000 children. The survey included several questions that measured how satisfied parents were with different aspects of kindergarten. The data material was statistically analysed.

Trætteberg, H. S. & Fladmoe, A. (2020). “Quality Differences of Public, For-Profit and Nonprofit Providers in Scandinavian Welfare? User Satisfaction in Kindergartens”. Voluntas, 31(2020):153-167.