Swedish preschool in Spain

The same pedagogical foundation as at home

Swedish preschool pedagogy rests on the idea that children learn through play, care and exploration together with others – not through school-like lessons. The child is seen as capable and curious, and the adults' job is to provide a safe frame where the child dares to try, fail and try again. That is as true in Spain as in Sweden. The difference is the setting: the climate allows a far larger part of the day to be spent outdoors, and the group usually holds several languages and nationalities from the start.

For a family that plans to move back home eventually, continuity is the strongest argument. The child stays within the same pedagogical tradition, with Swedish as the shared language of the group, and the transition back to a Swedish preschool or reception class is rarely dramatic. For families planning to stay, the argument is rather that the child keeps Swedish as a living everyday language, not only as a heritage language.

An ordinary day

The day follows a predictable rhythm, which suits small children: a calm arrival, circle time, free play and guided activities, a snack, outdoor time and rest. Activities revolve around language, creative work, movement, nature and everyday mathematics – counting, sorting, comparing. We work a great deal with stories, songs and rhymes, because they build vocabulary and speech sounds while being genuinely fun.

Outdoor time is extensive. Through spring, autumn and winter it is usually pleasant to be outside for large parts of the day, while the hottest weeks call for shade, water play and adjusted timings. Sun protection, a cap and spare clothes are part of the bag all year round.

Three languages without pressure

Swedish is the base. Spanish and English arrive through songs, play, routines and recurring activities rather than formal teaching. Young children learn languages by hearing them used in situations that matter to them – at the table, in play, in the cloakroom.

It is entirely normal for children to mix languages for a period, or for one language to go quiet before it suddenly appears. We do not chase early results. The goal is that the child finds several languages natural and undramatic, not something you can get wrong.

Settling in

Settling in happens step by step at the child's pace, with a parent close at hand in the beginning. Many newly arrived families have a great deal going on at once – housing, authorities, work – which makes it all the more important that preschool becomes the part of life that feels stable first. We agree the approach with you based on the child's age and previous experience of preschool.

We stay in close contact with guardians day to day: brief check-ins at drop-off and pick-up, and longer conversations when needed. If your child has allergies, particular needs or a history we should know about, we want to hear it from the start.

Questions to ask any preschool

• Which curriculum do you follow, and how does it show in daily life?
• How many children are in the group, and how many adults work there?
• Which languages are spoken between children and staff during the day?
• What does settling in look like, and how long does it usually take?
• What is the outdoor environment like, and how is heat and sun handled?
• What is included in the fee – meals, outings, materials?
• How do you communicate with guardians day to day?

At our school

Our preschool welcomes children from the age of two and sits in the same secure setting as the school, which keeps the step up to reception class small. Read more about our preschool, see the fees or get in touch and we will show you around.