Practical answers for families in Sweden — how preschool queues work, how to choose the right school, and what everyday school life looks like.
Schools · Preschools · Parenting · Learning & Activities
What is fritids in Sweden? Find out who can attend, whether it is free, who works there, what children do and whether they actually learn anything.
New to preschool in Sweden? Learn the Swedish terms parents actually need to know, from förskola and inskolning to maxtaxa, öppen förskola and pedagogisk omsorg.
A parent's guide to Swedish school terms: what fritids, skolval, meritvärde, SALSA, SVA and modersmål actually mean — and why they matter when choosing a school in Sweden.
What is öppen förskola in Sweden? Learn how open preschool works, who can go, what babies and toddlers do there, whether it is free and why it can be a great place to meet other parents.
Confused by galon, shell clothes, lined rain boots and rain mittens? A practical guide to Swedish rain gear for kids: what to wear when, what preschool may need and what to buy second-hand.
New to Sweden with a young child? Learn how förskola works, when your child has a right to preschool, how the four-month rule works, what preschool costs and where to start.
Moving to Sweden with a school-age child? Learn who to contact, how school placement works, how previous knowledge is assessed and what language support your child may receive.
Looking for rainy day activities for kids in Sweden? Find easy things to do at home, free and low-cost ideas, museums, libraries, swimming and indoor adventures for toddlers and older children.
New to Sweden and wondering what VAB means? Learn when you can stay home with a sick child, how VAB pay works, how many days you can use, when you need a medical certificate and what changed in 2026.
Children born in 2022 will be the first cohort to start Sweden’s new Year 1 when the 10-year compulsory school begins in autumn 2028. Here’s what happens to förskoleklass, school starting age and children already in school.
Every Stockholm school holiday date for 2026/2027, including höstlov, jullov, sportlov, påsklov and summer break — plus what working parents need to know about fritids, preschool and studiedagar.
Found head lice at preschool? Learn how to check with a luskam, when to treat, whether your child can attend preschool and why you do not need to deep-clean your home.
Planning Höstlov 2026 in Sweden? Find free and low-cost family ideas for home, parks, forests and libraries, plus selected autumn days out.
What should your child wear to preschool in Sweden? Layering basics, rainwear vs shell clothes, a temperature cheat sheet and what to pack — a practical autumn and winter clothing guide for parents.
Difficult drop-offs are normal — but when is reluctance a sign of something more? Signs worth noticing, what to ask the educators, how to raise concerns with the rektor and huvudman, and what to check before changing preschool in Sweden.
A parent's guide to the pedagogical labels Swedish preschools use — Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Freinet and I Ur och Skur — what they mean in practice, and why a label alone is never a quality guarantee.
Municipal vs independent vs international schools in Sweden explained: who runs the school, which curriculum it follows, and why 'friskola' does not mean fee-paying — with real examples like ISSR, Internationella Engelska Skolan and Tanto.
A practical guide to Stockholm's preschool queue and application system — when to apply, how queue dates work, the place guarantee, and what to compare before ranking your choices.
A practical guide to Stockholm's 2027 school choice process — dates, sibling priority, relative proximity, appeals, and what to compare before ranking your preferred schools.
A practical checklist for parents visiting a Swedish preschool (förskola) — 25 questions about groups, staff, outdoor time, meals, inskolning and what to observe during the visit.
A plain-English explanation of meritvärde and SALSA for parents comparing Swedish schools — how grades are calculated, what the numbers mean, and why context matters.
A practical guide for families in Sweden on how to be actively involved in their child's learning, from preschool through school, while respecting the teacher's role and the child's independence.
A practical guide for parents, teachers, and school leaders on how to build a safe school climate, recognise early warning signs, and stop bullying before it escalates.
A practical guide for families in Sweden on how to evaluate preschools and schools — from pedagogy and staff to safety, location and gut feeling.