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On a recent trip to the Middle East, where I encountered early childhood educators from around the world, I met Ina Furtenbach Lindén. After many years as an area manager for preschool in Gothenburg, Sweden, Ina was transitioning to educational director for the city. In conversations, I was struck by the substantial commitment Sweden has made to ensure all young children in that country have access to high-quality early learning. There are many lessons we can learn from their experiences. In that regard, I asked Ina if she would share her perspective with Young Children readers. She graciously agreed.
Our educational system provides preschool for all children ages 1 through 6 years. As a transition to Compulsory Comprehensive School (for ages 7-16 years), the preschool class for children age 6 is an introductory year. As the playful didactics of preschool meet the requirements of primary school, it's a way of softly introducing children to life in primary school.
The Best Interest of the Child
By Ina Furtenbach Lindén
It's an honor to share thoughts and ideas about the Swedish system with YC readers.
The preschools were opened in the 1970s as part of Swedish family policy. The links remain strong, as the National Agency for Education describes the purpose of preschool:
* To make it possible for parents to combine parenthood with employment and/or studies
* To support and encourage children and help them grow up under conditions conducive to their well-being
The preschools are publicly funded and complemented by smaller income-related parental fees. The preschools are organized by the municipalities, and by law, they have to offer places to children whose parents work or study and to children in need of special support within 4 months of application. The preschools offer services from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Governance and goal setting
Governance on the national level is by Parliament and is based on the Education Act, the Discrimination Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. There is a national curriculum for preschool. Our National Agency for Education creates materials and tutoring for development and support, and the National School Inspectorate supervises and performs quality assurance evaluations of preschools every three years, in each municipality. Preschools that the inspection...