ABSTRACT

In this chapter, an overview of the history of the Icelandic preschool system is given, and an attempt is made to explain its current status and where it is headed. The chapter is divided into four sections. In the first section, some facts about Icelandic society are presented. In the second section, the development of the philosophy and methods used in preschools, how pedagogy has developed, where it originated, and its main influences, among other related topics, are discussed. In the third section, the development of laws and national curriculum guidelines is given. Finally, a look at the future of the Icelandic preschool system and predictions on the direction it is taking are made.