Förskola: the everyday words
The thirty words on the wall at any Swedish preschool — department, schooling-in, outdoor clothes, rest, fruit break, pick-up time.
- 1
en förskola
preschool / daycare
Tip: Ages 1–5. Older Swedes still say 'dagis'.
- 2
en avdelning
a department / group
Tip: Each förskola has 2–5 avdelningar with names like Solen, Månen.
- 3
inskolningen
the schooling-in
Tip: The 1–2 week settling-in period where a parent stays.
- 4
en förskollärare
a preschool teacher
Tip: The trained one; 'barnskötare' is the childcare assistant.
- 5
personalen
the staff
Tip: 'Personalen på avdelningen' = the department's staff.
- 6
en plats
a place (spot)
Tip: 'Få en plats' = get a spot.
- 7
kön
the queue
Tip: 'Stå i kö' = be in the queue; the municipality runs it.
- 8
avgiften
the fee
Tip: Maxtaxa caps it — around 1,700 kr/month for the first child.
- 9
lämning
drop-off
Tip: 'Lämna' = to drop off; 'vid lämning' = at drop-off.
- 10
hämtning
pick-up
Tip: 'Hämta' = to pick up.
- 11
schemat
the schedule (hours)
Tip: You register the child's hours; 'lämna schema'.
- 12
utekläder
outdoor clothes
Tip: Swedish preschools go out in all weather.
- 13
regnkläder
rain gear
Tip: Jacket + trousers, always on the hook.
- 14
overallen
the overalls
Tip: The padded winter overall — a Swedish institution.
- 15
extrakläder
spare clothes
Tip: A full set in the child's box, always.
- 16
inneskor
indoor shoes
Tip: Or 'tofflor' (slippers).
- 17
facket
the cubby
Tip: The child's box/shelf in the hallway.
- 18
hallen
the hallway
Tip: Where everything happens: clothes, hugs, tears.
- 19
vilan
rest time
Tip: After lunch; 'sova på vilan' = nap during rest.
- 20
fruktstunden
the fruit break
Tip: Mid-morning ritual.
- 21
mellanmålet
the snack (afternoon)
Tip: Around 14:30.
- 22
utelek
outdoor play
Tip: Weather is not a reason to stay in.
- 23
gården
the playground
Tip: lit. 'the yard' — the fenced outdoor area.
- 24
en blöja
a nappy / diaper
Tip: Parents bring them; 'blöjor' plural.
- 25
en napp
a dummy / pacifier
Tip: Nappen = the dummy.
- 26
gosedjuret
the cuddly toy
Tip: Allowed for the nap.
- 27
ett utvecklingssamtal
a parent-teacher talk
Tip: lit. 'development talk'; once or twice a year.
- 28
stängningstiden
the closing time
Tip: Usually 17:00–18:00; don't be late.
- 29
en planeringsdag
the planning day (closed)
Tip: A few days a year the preschool closes for staff planning.
- 30
sjuk — stannar hemma
sick — stays home
Tip: 24 hours fever-free before returning.