Kvalitetssäkring av förskolan - en essentiell samhällsinvestering
(2025) NEKH03 20242Department of Economics
- Abstract
- This thesis highlights the need for quality assurance of the Swedish preschools by regulating structural factors. Attending preschool has proven to have positive effects on both children and society, provided that the preschool maintains a high quality. In comparison, if the quality is poor this might result in negative or harmful effects. Various movements have indicated that the Swedish preschools might not have the structural prerequisites required to achieve quality. Considering the widespread use of preschools in Sweden its quality has far-reaching effects that in the long run can have either positive or negative impact on society as a whole.
The aim of this thesis is to examine whether the Swedish preschool has the structural... (More) - This thesis highlights the need for quality assurance of the Swedish preschools by regulating structural factors. Attending preschool has proven to have positive effects on both children and society, provided that the preschool maintains a high quality. In comparison, if the quality is poor this might result in negative or harmful effects. Various movements have indicated that the Swedish preschools might not have the structural prerequisites required to achieve quality. Considering the widespread use of preschools in Sweden its quality has far-reaching effects that in the long run can have either positive or negative impact on society as a whole.
The aim of this thesis is to examine whether the Swedish preschool has the structural prerequisites required to ensure quality, based on the following research question: Is it possible to find support in research to define limit values of structural factors resulting in preschool quality assurance, and how does Sweden currently relate to such values? The structural factors are limited to group size, adult:child ratio, teachers education, and childrens length of stay. The methodology of the thesis includes a current state analysis as well as an overview of previous research, complemented by the theory of diminishing marginal utility.
Whilst examining group size, adult:child ratio, and teachers education the findings in this study suggest that the Swedish preschool system has inadequate structural prerequisites to ensure quality. Regarding the children’s length of stay the findings suggest this to be considered a risk factor. Children's optimal length of stay in preschool is found to be individual and based primarily on children's needs as well as the preschool's quality. Even though the importance of structural factors and their impact on preschool quality are clear, difficulties in defining limit values are highlighted. Hence further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions concerning limit values and the regulation of such. Regulating structural factors would however enhance the structural quality in preschool, resulting in better conditions for preschool personnel. Whether or not the preschools achieve quality under said conditions highly depends on the preschools teachers and caregivers, underlining the importance of assuring both their structural prerequisites and their continuous training. The preschool system has the opportunity to play a central role in a prosperous and thriving welfare state, given that the preschool quality is assured for all children enrolled. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9183889
- author
- Lindfors, Ina LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- NEKH03 20242
- year
- 2025
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- förskola, kvalitet, barnomsorg, ECEC, samhällsinvestering
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9183889
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-03 11:01:10
- date last changed
- 2025-06-03 11:01:10
@misc{9183889,
abstract = {{This thesis highlights the need for quality assurance of the Swedish preschools by regulating structural factors. Attending preschool has proven to have positive effects on both children and society, provided that the preschool maintains a high quality. In comparison, if the quality is poor this might result in negative or harmful effects. Various movements have indicated that the Swedish preschools might not have the structural prerequisites required to achieve quality. Considering the widespread use of preschools in Sweden its quality has far-reaching effects that in the long run can have either positive or negative impact on society as a whole.
The aim of this thesis is to examine whether the Swedish preschool has the structural prerequisites required to ensure quality, based on the following research question: Is it possible to find support in research to define limit values of structural factors resulting in preschool quality assurance, and how does Sweden currently relate to such values? The structural factors are limited to group size, adult:child ratio, teachers education, and childrens length of stay. The methodology of the thesis includes a current state analysis as well as an overview of previous research, complemented by the theory of diminishing marginal utility.
Whilst examining group size, adult:child ratio, and teachers education the findings in this study suggest that the Swedish preschool system has inadequate structural prerequisites to ensure quality. Regarding the children’s length of stay the findings suggest this to be considered a risk factor. Children's optimal length of stay in preschool is found to be individual and based primarily on children's needs as well as the preschool's quality. Even though the importance of structural factors and their impact on preschool quality are clear, difficulties in defining limit values are highlighted. Hence further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions concerning limit values and the regulation of such. Regulating structural factors would however enhance the structural quality in preschool, resulting in better conditions for preschool personnel. Whether or not the preschools achieve quality under said conditions highly depends on the preschools teachers and caregivers, underlining the importance of assuring both their structural prerequisites and their continuous training. The preschool system has the opportunity to play a central role in a prosperous and thriving welfare state, given that the preschool quality is assured for all children enrolled.}},
author = {{Lindfors, Ina}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Kvalitetssäkring av förskolan - en essentiell samhällsinvestering}},
year = {{2025}},
}