SWEDEN%20policy%20profile%20-%20published%2005-02-2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUALITY MATTERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE: SWEDEN © OECD 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS - 5
FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................... 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. 7
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 9
Aim of the policy profile .................................................................................................................. 9
Structure of the report .................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 1. WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY? ............................................................................. 11
What is curriculum? ..................................................................................................................... 12
What is at stake? ......................................................................................................................... 12
Why does it matter? ..................................................................................................................... 13
What aspects matter most? ......................................................................................................... 14
What are the policy implications? ................................................................................................ 18
What is still unknown? ................................................................................................................. 20
References ................................................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 2. WHERE DOES SWEDEN STAND COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES? ........ 25
Strengths ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Potential areas for reflection ........................................................................................................ 34
CHAPTER 3. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES? .......................................... 43
Common challenges .................................................................................................................... 44
Sweden’s efforts .......................................................................................................................... 45
Possible alternative strategies: Lessons from New Zealand, Norway and Portugal .................. 48
References ................................................................................................................................... 58
ANNEX. DEFINITIONS AND METHODOLOGY ............................................................................. 59
Tables
Table 1.1. Effects of academic and comprehensive curriculum models ..................................... 15
Table 1.2. Different curriculum models’ effect on school behaviours.......................................... 15
Table 2.1. Summary of major ECEC curriculum programmes/approaches/traditions ................ 30
Table 2.2. Engagement of parents in ECEC ............................................................................... 34
Figures
Figure 1.1. Impact of different curriculum models ....................................................................... 18
Figure 1.2. Sensitive periods in early brain development ........................................................... 19
Figure 2.1. Coverage of ECEC curriculum frameworks or guidelines by age group .................. 27
Figure 2.2. Content areas included in ECEC curriculum............................................................. 31
Figure 2.3. Expectations of parents regarding their children’s education and skills ................... 33
Figure 2.4. Approaches of ECEC curriculum .............................................................................. 36
Figure 2.5. Immigrant population ................................................................................................. 37
Figure 2.6. Child obesity going up ............................................................................................... 38
Figure 2.7. The use of ICT ........................................................................................................... 39
Figure 2.8. Content of professional development........................................................................ 41