The aim in this study is to examine preschool teachers’ perceptions of sustainable development and to put it in relation to the global definition of social sustainability and study how this work can be associated with the value-based work in the preschool curriculum.

The study contextualizes sustainability using phenomenography as theoretical approach. Phenomenography approach is also used in method based on qualitative, semi-structured interviews to study the preschool teachers’ perceptions. The results of the study show that there are varied perceptions in the meaning of sustainable development.

The results also indicate that there is a lack of discussion regarding sustainable development to achieve a consistent approach in value-based work.