COVID-19 and preschool practice: ‘A great “experiment” to see quality practice develop in strange situations’

Abstract

In Iceland, although all preschools operate in accordance with National Curriculum Guidelines and the Preschool Act (lög um leikskóla nr. 90/2008), their daily schedules can vary depending upon each school’s priorities and the teachers’ views on how children learn. However, whereas some scholars stress the importance of schedules at preschools that balance the lead activities of teachers and children, others have posited that daily schedules are a means of control used by educators at preschools. In response, and in line with the emphasis on giving children the opportunity to influence their education in the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, the heightened importance of children’s rights has guided preschools in Iceland in reorganizing their practices to consider children’s needs and interests.

Against this background, the aim of our study was to illustrate how the limitations in schooling that followed the first wave of COVID-19 influenced preschool practice in Iceland from the perspectives of preschool leaders. Those limitations, going into effect on 16 March and lasting more than 7 weeks until 4 May, were implemented differently in each municipality in Iceland, while nationwide preschool practice was limited across the country.

Data were gathered by following a mixed-methods approach. On the one hand, eight individual interviews, each lasting 15–65 minutes, with preschool principals and preschool head teachers were conducted in April 2020 during the period of limitations. On the other, preliminary findings from the interviews facilitated a more targeted data collection via a questionnaire distributed shortly after the preschools fully reopened following the period of limitations in June 2020. The questionnaire was sent to 248 preschool principals in Iceland, 172 of whom responded, or a response rate of 69%. Participants were asked whether and, if so, then how the limitations due to COVID-19 had influenced children’s play and the role of preschool teachers, as well as whether and, if so, then how those limitations would influence preschool practices in the future and what professionals might learn from the experience.

The findings suggest that the limitations in schooling during the first wave of COVID-19 considerably influenced preschool practices. During interviews and in questionnaires, participants stated that preschool practices were of higher quality during the first wave of COVID-19 than before. This was largely because fewer children attended preschool each day and they were in smaller groups in each play area. In addition, participants believed that the limitations had heightened the well-being of the children and the adults, as well as promoting changes in daily schedules that cultivated a more relaxed atmosphere. For example, this resulted in less sickness within the staff group. Although the limitations also restricted children’s access to play- and learning materials, such restrictions did not affect their play or well-being. However, some participants mentioned that because of more focus on cleaning and disinfection, in line with regulations from authorities, some preschool teachers found they had less time to take care of the children.

Beyond that, whereas participants noted new friendships emerging within groups of children during the period of limitations, they also observed that some children missed peers who were no longer in their class group. Finally, some educators reported experiencing loneliness due to being unable to communicate with their peers as freely as they had before the limitations. Altogether, the study makes an important contribution to the preschool community by providing knowledge and understanding as to how the first wave of COVID-19 influenced preschool practices, at least in Iceland, and as to how it may continue to alter such practices in the future. In that light, the findings can also inform further reflections on how practices at preschools are organized and which ones are prioritized.