Nordic approaches to evaluation and assessment in early childhood education and care

The study investigates the Nordic countries’ approaches to assessment and evaluation in kindergarten. The purpose is to explore the values and principles underlying quality assessments in Nordic kindergarten systems, and to highlight whether there is a common Nordic model. The study focuses on evaluation as a way to strengthen educational quality, where children’s well-being and the learning environment are central. The aim of evaluation in this model is to provide useful information for improving kindergarten quality and to emphasise a system and environmental focus over individual assessment.

The study shows that there is a Nordic approach to assessment in kindergarten, characterised by values such as child well-being, play, learning and professionalisation of employees. The focus is on evaluating the learning environment rather than on the assessment of individual children. It was also found that decentralised management provides local adaptations in how assessment is carried out, where the municipality level plays an important role. Differences in requirements and practices exist between the Nordic countries, but there is a common value-based understanding where evaluation is linked to children’s overall development, play and learning. The results highlight a model that can contribute to the international debate on kindergarten quality and assessment practices.

The study used a combination of document analysis and semi-structured interviews with kindergarten teachers, politicians and experts from the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The document analysis included a systematic literature review, and collection and analysis of 157 relevant documents including legislation, literature and reports. In addition, five individual interviews and five group interviews were conducted per country with representatives from different roles within the kindergarten sector. The aim was to identify the participants’ views on the principles of assessment and evaluation in kindergarten.

Urban, M., Reikerås, E., Eidsvåg, G. M., Guevara, J., Saebø, J., & Semmoloni, C. (2023). Nordic approaches to evaluation and assessment in early childhood education and care. Global Studies of Childhood, 13(3), 200–216.