Migrant Children's Access to Early Childhood Education in Sweden: Integration through ECEC

Eleonora Mussino , Umeå University
Ida Ljungström, Stockholm University
Ann-Zofie Duvander, Stockholm University
Andreas Ljungström, Stockholm University

The participation of children with a migrant background in early childhood education and care (ECEC) is crucial for their long-term integration and educational success. Research consistently shows that preschool enrollment rates are lower among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, including migrant children. While Sweden provides universal access to ECEC from the age of one at relatively low costs, disparities in enrollment and attendance persist. This study utilizes REFU-GEN, a newly available dataset based on Swedish population registers, to examine preschool participation among all children born in Sweden between 2014 and 2023. By integrating detailed administrative data on migration background, socioeconomic status, and parental characteristics, we assess the extent to which migrant children access ECEC and identify key determinants of enrollment patterns. We employ Event-History Analysis (EHA) as we are interested in both whether enrollment in ECEC takes place as well as its timing. Our findings contribute to the broader discussion on educational equity, integration policies, and the role of early interventions in reducing disparities in educational opportunities.

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 Presented in Session P4. Migration, Migrants, and Mobility