Starting in 2028, children in Sweden will begin school at six years old, shifting from the current age of seven. This change replaces the compulsory preschool year, known as förskoleklass, with an additional year in primary school (grundskola). The government, led by the centre-right coalition and supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats and the Social Democrats, aims to enhance early learning in reading, writing, and mathematics. Critics argue that this move undermines research supporting play-based learning, which is essential for children’s development, while raising concerns about job security for preschool teachers.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/19/swedish-children-to-start-school-a-year-earlier-six
