Integrated ECEC in Sweden OECD Network on ECEC

Integrated ECEC in Sweden OECD Network on ECEC Paris 7/8 th December 2009 Christer Tofténius Ministry of Education and Research

Current system • • • Preschool for 1 -3 y. o. 74%, 4 -5 y. o. 93% Family day care 1 -3 y. o. 4%, 4 -5 y. o. 4% Target-oriented and result-oriented system Financed from public funds Two aims – to support children's development, learning and wellbeing and for parents to combine parenthood with employment • Educare - combination of education and care, day care with preschool pedagogic Ministry of Education and Research

Brief history • Child crèches for the underprivileged and kindergarten for affluent • 1930 s – Child nurseries safe and good care • 1950 s – Expansion of play schools • 1960 s – Need for labor force, women's liberation need for public childcare • 1970 s – Commissions and planned expansion • 1980 s – Pedagogical role and expansion • 1990 s – The first level of the education system • 2000 s – Quality and preschool for everyone Ministry of Education and Research

Governing and responsibility Education Act - high degree of local responsibility • Obligation of local authorities to provide • Specified quality requirements – well-trained or experienced staff – appropriate premises – suitable mix and appropriate size in children's groups • Curriculum - children as active, competent and curious for knowledge. Pedagogues who follow and promote the child's own learning Ministry of Education and Research

Governing and responsibility cont. • Offer pre-schooling, within 3 -4 months after application, for children – whose parents work or study – with special needs – of unemployed parents or on parental leave 15 hours/week - 4 -5 years of age, 525 hours/year – 3 hours/day during the school terms (universal pre-school) Ministry of Education and Research

Forms that are to be provided • Pre-school, 1 -5 year olds • Family day care home, 1 -12 year old • Open pre-school • Out of school centre (Leisure time c), 6 -12 y. o. • Open leisure-time activities 10 -12 year old Voluntary pre-school class for 6 -year olds. Compulsory school begins at the age of 7 (9 years) Parental benefit system payable for totally 480 d. Ministry of Education and Research

Integrated system – why? • Strong political will and visions • Commission on Nursery Provision (1968 -1972) – brought together the roots of child crèches and kindergartens to the preschool – on the basis of values for the needs of • children • parents • society No care without education and no education without care Ministry of Education and Research

Advantages and disadvantages • Policy coordination between preschool and school • Increased emphasis on learning and development • Access for all children – no need for special programs for disadvantaged groups • Preschool teachers and child carers– who is caring and who is teaching and when? • High costs but high quality Ministry of Education and Research

Policy lessons learnt • National strategy and – earmarked state grants at the initial stage – municipal subsidies – political stable situation – support from research - beneficial for society, family, social inclusion, child's development and learning • Universal preschool, free of charge • Maximum fee, accessibility • Curriculum • Well educated/trained staff • EDUCARE-model, where care, nurturing and learning form a coherent whole Ministry of Education and Research

Future plans and foresights • Integrating ECEC legislation in the Educ. Act - Common goals for all education - Common regulation for independent owners and municipalities - Preschool as a distinct form of school - Preschool management – head teacher - Preschool teachers, qualified, ped. responsibility - Chapter for other pedagogical activities, separation from preschool Ministry of Education and Research

Future plans and foresights cont. • Universal preschool extended to 3 y. o. 2010 • Reinforce the pedagogical task – – – clarifying some goals of the Curriculum (literacy, numeracy) increased evaluation and follow up pedagogical responsibility for preschool teachers • Commission for a new preschool teacher education, proposals – pre-school concentration, own identity – shortage of pre-school teachers – duration 3 years, 180 ECTS Ministry of Education and Research