Expert Conference Accompanying the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Family and Gender Equality: "Mechanisms for reconciling professional and family roles for women and men as a chance to actively participate in the labour market" Cracow October 2011 This conference is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS ( )

"Mechanisms for reconciling professional and family roles for women and men as a chance to actively participate in the labour market " This conference is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS ( ) This programme is implemented by the European Commission. It was established to financially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in the employment, social affairs and equal opportunities area, and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Europe 2020 Strategy goals in this fields. The seven-year Programme targets all stakeholders who can help shape the development of appropriate and effective employment and social legislation and policies, across The EU-27, EFTA-EEA and EU candidate and pre-candidate countries. For more information see:

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden How to meet the Barcelona targets – the Swedish example Christer Tofténius

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden The Swedish example Important aspect of the welfare system Preschool (day care with preschool pedagogic), 1-5 year olds 97% of all 3-5 y.o. and 67%1-2 y.o. in pre- schooling High quality Accessible Affordable

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden The Swedish preschool Preschool have dual functions: - to enable parents to combine parenthood with work or studies and - to support and encourage childrens development and learning and to provide favorable conditions for growing up.

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Quality - Regulation Target-oriented and result-oriented system New Education Act in 2011 – preschool a school-form within the school system. – common goals from preschool to adult education, – must have a preschool head, – preschool teachers in every preschool which has the overall pedagogical responsibility

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Quality- Curriculum Educare - combination of education and care – In 1998 the first curriculum for preschool. Basic idea: care, socialisation and learning together form a coherent whole. Preschool should be enjoyable, secure and rich in learning for all children. – Revised curriculum in 2011, with clarified goals for language, mathematics, natural sciences and technology. New section for follow-up and evaluation. Responsibilities clarified for preschool teachers and preschool heads.

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Quality - Staff -Pre-school teachers (3,5 years university education) 54% and -Child carers (upper-secondary/senior high- school diploma) Average child-to-staff ratio in pre-school, 1990–2010 YearChildren/Staff Source: Official statistics. Group sizes 15-20, average 16,9 children/group

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Other forms of activities Family day care home, 1-5 (6-12) year old Open preschool Out of school centre (Leisure time c), 6-12 y. o. Open leisure-time activities year old Voluntary preschool class for 6-year olds. Compulsory school begins at the age of 7 (9 years)

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Accessible Legislation - Education Act. Local authorities are obliged to provide preschool, within four months after application. Preschool 1-5 years old - for parents – who are working or studying, – on parental leave or unemployed (15 h/week) or for children – who themselves are in need of the activity – 3, 4 and 5 year-olds are entitled, free of charge, to 525 hours of preschool yearly - three hours a day or 15 hours a week

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Children aged 1-5 by form 2010 Proportion (per cent) of all children in preschooling Age of PreschoolFamily day careTotal child__________________________________________ 1 year46, years years years years All82,7%3.4%86,1% Source: Official statistics.

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Affordable - Maximum fee For preschool activities Child 1: 3 % of income – maximum EUR 138/month Child 2: 2 % of income – maximum EUR 92/month Child 3: 1 % of income – maximum EUR 46/month Child 4: no charge Parental fees 8% of costs For school-age child care Child 1: 2 % of income – maximum EUR 92/month Child 2: 1 % of income – maximum EUR 46/month Child 3: 1 % of income – maximum EUR 46/month Child 4: no charge (Highest fee for the youngest child)

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Financing/Costs Financed mainly out of public funds ECEC costs in Sweden 2010 per year Preschool EUR per child Total EUR 5,85 billion Family day care EUR per child Total EUR 225 million School age childcare EUR per child Total EUR 1,35 billion Total EUR 7,49 billion (2,1% of GDP)

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden History – how did we get there? Before the 1960s – child crèches for the underprivileged and kindergarten for affluent 1960s – Need for labor force, women's liberation and need for public childcare 1970s – commissions and planned expansion 1980s – pedagogical role and expansion 1990s – the first level of the education system 2000s – quality and preschool for everyone

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Lessons learned National strategy Building up –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 EDUCARE-model where care, socialisation and learning form a coherent whole Well educated/trained staff Curriculum (1998) Maximum fee (2002) Universal preschool, free of charge (2003)

Ministry of Education and Research Sweden Useful websites Information about preschools in Sweden - National Agency for Education: The Politics of Preschool - Intentions and decisions underlying the emergence and growth of the Swedish The Preschool, which you will find on, Direct link: Curriculum (Lpfö 98) English/Steering documents/ Curriculum for preschool in English (Lpfö 98) Direct link:

"Mechanisms for reconciling professional and family roles for women and men as a chance to actively participate in the labour market " This conference is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS ( ) Dziękujemy! Thank you! Благодаря! Hvala! Děkuji! Tak! Aitäh! Kiitos! Merci! Gracias! Σας ευχαριστώ! Go raibh maith agat! Þakka þér! Ačiū! Paldies! Danke! Takk! Obrigado! Mulţumesc! Ďakujem! Tack! Köszönöm! Grazie! Dank u!