Comparison of British to Swedish Early Years Education

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An international comparison of Swedish and UK education systems I will be examining the difference between the Sweden early education system and the UK early Years education system. I will then compare the two systems highlighting values that underpin the different countries’ curriculums. According to Sandberg, A. and ̌Arlemalm-Hagś́er (2011), the Swedish Early Years education is a combination of learning and play and the basic social values in life. Their curriculum focuses on three values which are; children’s rights, gender equity and what the education the state purports as a need for sustainable development. The Swedish curriculum for preschool is the ultimate determinant of the kind of education all childhood learning settings adhere to in Sweden. The ministry of education and Science is responsible for the educational system starting from preschool to university. According to the National Agency for Education (2009) Swedish early childhood settings are called pre schools and these are available to children aged one-five and is accessed by 82% of the countries children. In Sweden teachers either have a university degree or a high school degree which makes them qualified professionals in the field. The Australian Journal of Early Childhood (2011) states that the Swedish Parliament (Education Act) and curriculum (Government) respectively set the national goals in Sweden in a democratic way putting an emphasis on freedom and integrity which is equality of all people which means gender equality and solidarity with the weak a value that needs to be embedded. The journal also states that, under no circumstances is individuality freedom and integrity, to compromised or violated. These are principles that are embedded into care and education where, development and learning work in symbiosis. In the Swedish system children are seen as individuals that are
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