• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.589-599
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• 2010

When the Korean government announced the lowering of the school entrance age from 6 to 5 years in an effort to increase the fertility rate, one candidate for the Seoul mayor rode on the slogan, 'one dong, one public kindergarten'. This study attempted to show the introduction of a preschool class for six-year-olds being used as analternative to lowering school entrance age in Sweden. First, the current state of preschool class, the Early Childhood Education and Care, and the education system in Sweden were described. Next, the background for the introduction of the preschool classes was analyzed. Thirdly, the effects of preschool class were evaluated from the perspectives of 6 year-olds as well as the institutiona land social status of the ECEC. Results from this study imply not only that the lower school entrance age policy should be abolished but also preschool classes could be considered as an alternative.