Absenteeism in preschool has increased during the pandemic.
But it is the children in the socio-economically vulnerable areas who have been hit the hardest.
This was stated by Sweden's municipalities and regions in a report last year.
And it is also in the socio-economically vulnerable areas that absenteeism has been highest, as several municipalities in Sörmland testify.
"Disturbingly high"
The reasons are believed to be several, but preschool employees believe that it is about parents' fear of the virus in combination with the fact that a higher proportion of residents in socio-economically vulnerable areas are unemployed, which gives them better opportunities to be at home with their children than those who work.
In addition, snotty children have not been welcome to preschool, which has also contributed to an increase in absenteeism throughout the country.
In preschool area A in Flen, absenteeism has been alarmingly high, says principal Kerstin Johansson.
- 65 percent were absent last week and this has been going on for a long time.
There are many children who lag behind in their language development, she says.
- But we can not force the children here.
We must instead do what we can to attract children and parents here.
And at the same time, we understand that the children were kept at home more during the pandemic.
Parent: "Forgot many words"
Nima Daod has children at Kungsfågeln's preschool in Flen and she says that she has noticed that her children have lost in language development.
- They have forgotten many words.
The children have been at home for three weeks and at school for a week.
Then it gets sick again and is gone for three weeks.
Hear Lena Eriksson tell more in the clip above about how children's absence can affect their development in school.