Preschool is the first stage of the school system and the beginning of an individual’s formal education. Preschool age is an important time for learning and development. In collaboration with parents, preschools should strive to monitor and promote the comprehensive development of all children, provide all children with a healthy and stimulating educational environment and promote their safety and well-being. Emphasis should be placed on children’s strengths and abilities and their need for protection and guidance from adults. Preschools should carry out preventive work by systematically promoting the well-being of children and their successful schooling. Preschool staff should take appropriate measures if necessary so that all children can benefit as much as possible based on their individual development and needs.

In preschool work, the concepts of upbringing, care and education form a single whole. Children are shown respect and care and are given appropriate encouragement and activities. They are seen as full participants in the preschool community.

The following guiding principles should guide preschools in shaping preschool work. Preschool staff, in consultation with parents and children, need to agree on how the preschool’s work takes the guiding principles into account and record methods and approaches in the preschool’s school curriculum:

• A preschool should be a democratic platform and learning community where staff, parents, and children are active participants and influence decisions about preschool matters.
• Preschool practices should encourage cooperation and collaboration between children, staff, parents, and the local community.
• Kindergarten should be a social and cultural platform where the national heritage and values ​​of Icelandic society occupy a prominent place.
• A preschool should be a community where each individual is respected and contributes.
• Preschool practices should take into account the environment of the preschool and the society in which it is located. At the same time, the preschool should be an active participant in society and have an impact on it.
• Preschool work should be based on equality, respect for the diversity of human life and diverse cultures.
• The rights of all who reside there, regardless of gender, background, circumstances or ability, must be respected and efforts must be made to meet the needs of all.
• Education for sustainability should be reflected in all preschool work in active collaboration with homes and the local community.
• In preschools, diverse ways of collaborating with families need to be found and various ways of communicating information about the preschool’s practices and work, as well as ways of gathering information from parents about the child’s situation, must be sought.
• Preschool practices should help children learn to respect and care for other people, and develop empathy, consideration, and friendship.
• Preschools should encourage children to develop a positive self-image by respecting the uniqueness and perspectives of each individual.
• In preschool, children should be given the opportunity to engage in subjects that take into account their interests, strengths, and development, so that their belief in their own abilities increases and their inclination to learn is strengthened.
• Preschools should build on children’s world of experience and create meaningful experiences for them.
• In kindergarten, emphasis should be placed on independence and initiative, and each child should be encouraged to take responsibility for themselves.
• Preschool practices should promote children’s respect for nature and their environment.
• In kindergarten, children should have opportunities for varied physical activity and outdoor activities.
• In preschool, children should have the opportunity to engage in diverse projects that offer multiple solutions and encourage research and reflection.
• Preschool practices should encourage critical thinking and give children the opportunity to activate their creativity.
• In kindergarten, children should be encouraged to interpret and express themselves in a variety of ways, including through play, movement, imagery, music, language, numbers and symbols.
• Kindergartens should create conditions for children to play so that they have room for their imagination and creativity.
• Preschool practices should encourage children to express themselves and listen to narratives, stories, poems, and fairy tales.
• In kindergarten, the opportunities that arise in play and daily communication should be utilized to strengthen Icelandic language awareness as children learn new words and concepts and develop the language.