A study of Swedish preschool directors’ perspectives on leadership and organization

ABSTRACT

In the last decade, neo-liberal movements have entered parts of the Swedish society, bringing increased accountability and public management to preschool (catering for children aged 1–5 years). While early childhood education research has generally focused on preschool, children and teachers, few studies have explored the perspectives of preschool directors in contemporary times. This study helps fill this void by exploring the perspectives of eleven preschool directors about leadership and associated organization within Swedish preschools. Using content analysis, key findings suggest preschool directors take on many leadership roles within a preschool as they work with teachers, parents and upper administration leaders. The roles are sometimes conflicting and create unintended tension with teachers and parents as neo-liberal perspectives emerge.

KEYWORDS:

• Leadership
• public management
• Sweden
• directors
• preschool

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Johannes Lunneblad http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9450-030X

Susanne Garvis http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2793-4466

Notes on contributor

Johannes Lunneblad has a PhD in Education and works as an Associate Professor of Education at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. His main research interests are in the field of early childhood, critical pedagogy, urban education, and multicultural education. E-mail: [email protected]

Susanne Garvis works as a Professor of early childhood education at the Department of Education, Communication and Learning, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research interests include quality and policy in early childhood education, mixed methods research and family perspectives. E-mail: [email protected]