This paper discusses the different ways which students and preschool teachers at two Swedish universities interpret the concept of professionalism. Data for this paper are drawn from a study conducted in two different urban areas of Sweden which explored the following four questions: (1) What does the concept of professionalism imply for preschool teachers and students? (2) What does a professional teacher do in pre-school / school/after-school recreation centre? (3) How is professionalism developed? (4) What does preschool teachers’ professionalism mean in comparison with professionalism in other closely related professions such as day care attendants or recreational pedagogues? Data from the study are interpreted against a theoretical background that problematises the concept of “professionalism” within the societal context of preschools in Sweden.