Stockholm's administrative court has ruled in favor of the city in a unique case blocking Norlandia from opening a new preschool in Hägersten. The decision was based on the risk of over-establishment due to insufficient children. The ruling is seen as historic and potentially guiding.
In August 2024, Stockholm city denied Norlandia permission to open a new preschool at Telefonplan in the Hägersten area, even though the building was already complete. The preschool would have space for nearly 100 children. The red-green administration justified the decision by noting too many preschools opening relative to the number of children, risking over-establishment and empty spots in existing facilities.
The opposition criticized the decision as obstructing free competition, choice, and establishment rights, viewing it as politically motivated and unfair. Norlandia appealed to the administrative court, which in a first-of-its-kind ruling has sided with the city. The court states that no need exists for a new preschool, with several empty municipal preschools and sections in the area. Based on current figures and forecasts, it assesses that an additional preschool could lead to closures of other units and negative impacts on Hägersten-Älvsjö.
Norlandia's arguments—that the preschool would mainly serve Västberga and that 30 guardians had shown interest—were deemed insufficient. The court finds the city's decision objective and impartial. “This is a historic decision. Until now, the municipality has not been able to say no thank you to private preschools, regardless of whether there is a need for them or not, but this ruling shows that it is possible,” says Alexandra Mattsson (V), preschool councilor in Stockholm city.
The administration hopes the ruling will guide similar cases, though Norlandia is considering an appeal to the chamber court. “We have received the ruling and are starting an analysis and review of it, and based on that, we are considering whether to proceed with an appeal,” says Torbjörn Carlbom, communications chief at Norlandia preschools.