Ministry of Education and Research Integrated ECEC in Sweden OECD Network on ECEC Paris 7/8th 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 1930s – Child nurseries safe and good care 1950s – Expansion of play schools 1960s – Need for labor force, women's liberation - 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 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 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 ( ) –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 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