Competence to Teach a Point of Intersection for Swedish Preschool Quality

The study investigates the relationship between kindergarten teachers’ teaching skills and quality in Swedish kindergartens. The research question is: Does teaching contribute to quality in kindergarten?

The results show that there is variation in quality between the kindergartens and that the kindergarten teachers’ teaching skills affect the quality. The researchers believe areas in need of skills development are: (1) academic and didactic knowledge skills in relation to children, (2) child-focused strategies and (3) clarifying and conveying knowledge through play, care and learning in teaching.

The data material was collected from 153 kindergartens in twelve Swedish municipalities. The researchers assessed the quality of the kindergartens using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-3) assessment tool. Each kindergarten was observed for three hours during 2016-2017. The data material was statistically analysed.

Sheridan, S., Williams, P. & Garvis, S. (2020). “Competence to Teach a Point of Intersection for Swedish Preschool Quality”. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Education, 1(2):77-98.