Reflections on the Revised National Curriculum for Preschool in Sweden – interviews with the heads

Abstract

In Sweden a Revised National Curriculum for Preschool (Lpfö 98, revised 2010) was implemented on 1 July 2011. The purpose of the revised curriculum was to increase the quality in the Swedish preschool by stressing the scientific basis. The aim was to explore how four heads of preschool reflect on the curriculum and the quality in preschool. This article is based on focus group methodology. The questions concerned reflections on the Curriculum for Preschool, systematic quality work and the role of the heads. The results showed that the most important factors concerning the revised curriculum were competent staff, attitudes and values and systematic quality work. Important factors for quality work were competent staff, enough time for pedagogical planning and the children, and low staff turnover. Important issues concerning the role of the heads were knowledge and understanding of the mission, systematic work and goals of improvement.