”Resultater fra Kartleggingsundersøkelse i Kristiansand kommune 2013”.

The purpose of this report is to present key findings from the survey of preschools ("barnehage") (and schools) in the Norwegian municipality of Kristiansand. The survey is part of the FLiK project (research-based learning environment development in the municipality of Kristiansand). The aim of the survey is to contribute to the development of preschools and schools. The purpose of the report is to identify some general trends in the survey as well as to identify strong and more challenging areas for preschools (and schools) in the municipality of Kristiansand.

The results show significant differences between the individual preschools with regard to inclusion, well-being and learning. The measurements are based on the children's own responses. There are variations within each individual preschool, but the study stresses that variations between preschools are also significant.

Similarly, there are marked differences between the children's social and language skills (assessed by preschool teachers). These differences cannot be explained on the basis of differences in the children's socio-economic backgrounds.

The analysis shows that nearly 25% of the 4-5-year-olds at the preschools have insufficient language skills, and that many of these children struggle to participate in social communities with other children.

The results show that most children are happy at preschool, but about 10% of the children state that they are not. For example, this is seen when the children answer yes to the question "Are there some days you are not happy"?

Similarly, the results show a clear difference between girls and boys at preschool; girls are happier than boys. This difference is also reflected in the adults' answers regarding the social skills and behaviour of girls and boys. The adults consider the girls to be more socially competent, and the girls show less aggressive behaviour than boys. This is also the case when the adults assess the children's language skills. The girls' are considered to be better than boys at “expressing their wishes verbally", at “playing with the language" and at “rhyming on their own".

The survey comprises 71 preschools in the municipality of Kristiansand. All preschools in the municipality were invited to take part in the study. The study does not state the percentage of preschools who agreed to be in the study. Responses were received from a total of 1,284 children aged 4-5 years (out of 1,360). Parents, preschool teachers ("kontaktpedagog/barnehagelærere") and other staff (employees) were asked to assess each of the children. (The study does not define "other staff"). In total, 1,250 responses came from preschool teachers, 909 from parents and 904 from other staff. The data collection was carried out in spring 2013 and is a preliminary measurement. This means that it was carried out before the beginning of the development project. The survey of the preschools consists of three questionnaire surveys aimed at children, parents and staff, respectively. The data was analysed quantitatively e.g. using frequency analysis and factor analysis.

Nordahl, T., Qvortrup, L., Hansen, L.S. & Hansen, O. (2014). ”Resultater fra Kartleggingsundersøkelse i Kristiansand kommune 2013”. Aalborg Universitetsforlag.