“We’re laying the foundation for the children’s future lives”

Published: May 3, 2023

  

Miscellaneous

The Torget preschool in Rinkeby received high ratings in the Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s review, which the agency conducted at 30 different preschools, both independent and municipal. All of the preschools were selected because they are located in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.

“We were so proud when we received the results from the Swedish Schools Inspectorate,” says Layla Maulood, a preschool teacher at Torget. “It was clear proof that we’re doing a good job here at the preschool and that the Swedish Schools Inspectorate appreciates what we do.”

Nyckelförskolan Torget is located right in the heart of Rinkeby, right next to the town center. It’s early in the morning, and all the classes are gathered together. Today’s lunch is simmering in a large pot in the kitchen. The bread is rising under a towel. All the food that the children and staff eat during the day is prepared from scratch in the kitchen.

“I really enjoy coming to work every day,” says Layla. “There’s a positive atmosphere here, and my colleagues and I are constantly encouraged to do more. These are the conditions that make me happy here, and I also get along well with both my colleagues and my manager.”

The classrooms are well-stocked with materials for creative activities and play. In one of the classrooms, a teacher is reading a story to the children, repeating words from the story for them to repeat after her.

“Many of the children who attend this preschool have a native language other than Swedish,” says Layla, “and that’s why we spend a lot of time here at the preschool helping the children build a foundation in the Swedish language. We have many different language-development activities, and we also encourage parents to continue this work at home.”

Good communication between the preschool and the home

One of the tools the preschool uses is the digital picture book service Polyglutt. It offers over 3,000 picture books in more than 70 different languages.

“At preschool, we listen to and read books in Swedish,” says Layla. “We’ve also provided all parents with login information for Polyglutt so that the children can continue listening with their parents at home, both in Swedish and in their own native language. This helps create a platform for Swedish even at home.”

Torget Preschool maintains good communication with the children's parents.

“They feel safe with us,” says Layla. “They know they’re always welcome to ask us questions—for example, about their children’s development—and that we who work at the preschool welcome their questions.”

Special Education Teachers – An Additional Resource

At Tellusbarn , there are additional resources in the form of two special education teachers who are primarily there to support the educators. They provide continuing education to preschool staff and can also offer concrete advice and tips on the measures that need to be taken—both for the program as a whole and for individual children.

The Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s review focused on preschools in socially disadvantaged areas. One such area is Rinkeby, where the Torget preschool is located. Is it different to work at a preschool like that?

“Yes, it is,” says Layla. “Especially because we put a lot of extra effort into the children’s language development.” It’s important for the children to learn Swedish. After all, the children are here with us for five years, and it’s important that they take away as much as possible before they leave us. Preschool is meant to prepare children for school, and if we give them a good start, hopefully they’ll do well in school, too. In that way, we at the preschool lay the foundation for their future lives.

Here you can read more about the Swedish Schools Inspectorate's review of the Torget preschool