The aim of this study is to explore how recent societal and cultural changes have affected the demands on staff in Swedish early childhood education and care (ECEC). Cultural diversity may add richness to ECEC, nonetheless, it may involve conflicting views and norms, yet the Swedish ECEC curriculum provides little guidance on how to handle challenging situations. “Dilemmatic spaces” is a conceptual framework in educational settings, where dilemmas are seen not as momentary nor occurring on an individual level, but in a larger context. The conceptual framework makes it possible to analyse teachers’ everyday practice in relation to societal changes. In the study, twelve ECEC principals were interviewed in focus groups. Overarching dilemmas were identified in ECEC teachers’ efforts to show respect for other cultures while upholding Swedish culture and to consider immigrant parents’ expectations while communicating Swedish ECEC values, policies and routines.