Maternity leave: there is no separate maternity leave except for pregnant women who must stop work because of chemical, biological or physical hazards (‘pregnancy leave’). Part of parental leave is reserved for women.

Paternity leave: 2 weeks. Any payment is made by employers and depends on collective bargaining.

Parental leave: 44 weeks at 100% of earnings or 54 weeks at 80% up to a ceiling of 6 times the basic national insurance benefit payment, NOK421,536 (€48,455). Nine weeks are reserved for mothers and 6 weeks are for fathers (fedrekvoten or ‘father's quota’). The remaining period is a family entitlement and may be taken by either mother or father.

Leave to care for sick children: up to 10 days per year per parent with one or two children under 12 years at 100% of earnings up to a ceiling of NOK421,536; 15 days if more than two children.

Other: each parent has the right to one year of unpaid leave after parental leave.

Parents with a child aged 12–36 months are entitled to receive a cash benefit on condition that they do not use a full-time place in a publicly funded childcare centre. In 2008, the benefit was NOK3,303 (€380) per child per month.

Norway is a Nordic country, but not a member state of the European Union. It does not have a separate system of maternity leave; part of parental leave is reserved for mothers and a shorter period for fathers. Prior to the introduction of the father's quota, less than 4% of fathers took some parental leave; latest figures show that 89% now take leave, with 70% taking more than 5 weeks. It is most common for parents to choose the option of longer leave with reduced payment.

There is an entitlement to early childhood education and care (ECEC) for children from 12 months of age.