Swedish preschool internationally : Their work with the Swedish curriculum

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into Swedish preschools internationally and how their operations are linked to the Swedish and/or national curriculum. We began by mapping these preschools since there was no previous compilation or research on them. After that we used written semi-structured interviews, which were sent to three preschool teachers in different countries. New questions arose after the initial analysis of the responses, leading to a two-step interview process. We used content analysis to organize questions, responses, and our analysis, and then summarized the results. The results show that the preschools are based on the Swedish curriculum and Nordic pedagogy. They also integrate Swedish and national traditions and are multilingual, with teaching primarily in Swedish and support for those who have not yet mastered the language. The preschools describe themselves as small-scale and familial, with fewer children than they are accustomed to in Swedish preschools. This leads to teachers often working outside of working hours, but it also contributes to a calmer environment. The conclusion is that Swedish preschools internationally operate in a way that resembles those in Sweden, by working according to the Swedish curriculum and its pedagogy.