Early Childhood Education Study Tour in collaboration with Tours for Teachers

In April we were privileged to have a wonderful group of Early Childhood Education experts by Tours for Teachers from Australia! We were so happy to have such an active and enthusiastic group of visitors. The tour gave visitors an overview of the Finnish education system and early childhood education as an integral part of it and gave an opportunity to explore the system in our schools and day care centers.

We started the tour on Monday evening with a Finnish Sauna Experience by the lake exploring the Finnish sauna culture including swimming in a cold lake and some picnic style Finnish delicacies. What a refreshing way to start our week in Finland!

School and Daycare center visits

On Tuesday, our Australian educators visited Vatiala School, which serves students from preschool through sixth grade. They appreciated the peaceful atmosphere indoors and the joyful play outdoors. Throughout the visit, we explored Finland’s education ecosystem, discussing how culture and politics shape the educational system. In Finland, children’s well-being is at heart of education- sometimes even prioritized over academic skills. A happy childhood fosters learning, social development, and self-esteem- key pieces of the puzzle for a fulfilling life. What more could we possibly ask for?

The group enjoyed the amazingly peaceful atmosphere of the Kalkunvuori Early Childhood Education Center on Wednesday. The visitors observed a calm environment where adults modeled at a peaceful pace, teaching children that this is the norm.

During the day, our visitors were impressed by

• the focus on the process of learning
• the functional and flexible furniture to serve different ages and purposes
• the more relaxed regulations and the reduced bureaucracy compared to Australia
• the high level of trust between staff members and children, as well as the significant trust that families place in staff

In the evening, it was time for a refreshing Finnish Nature Experience in collaboration with Seventen Tours. A memorable evening including hiking, team building, Finnish yard games, fauna & flora and delicious salmon soup all cooked together!

On Thursday we visited Vuores daycare centre, focusing especially on its forest preschool group. At their forest site, a teacher introduced us to the group’s activities. We had the opportunity to ask questions and observe the children’s play and learning. The preschoolers were scattered throughout the forest, each engaged in their own way. One of the participants remarked that this reflects the trust Finns have in their students – Finnish people dare to let them explore, experiment, and learn independently. The visitors were also amazed by the children’s creativity and how it develops in such an environment. There are no conventional toys in the forest; instead, the children build their own and rely on their imagination to fuel their play.

Fun fact: During lunch, we learned the story behind a Finnish tradition: eating pea soup and pancake on Thursdays. Historically, when Finland was still Catholic, Friday was a day of fasting. As a result, Thursday became the day to enjoy a hearty, filling meal- like pea soup with smoked ham – to sustain people through the fast.

On the last day of this Early Childhood Education and Care Study Tour, we visited the day care centre Kurikankulma and their forest day care group Luhtaröllit, where all daily activities – learning, playing, sleeping and eating – take place outdoors. The goal is to nurture a deep connection with nature from an early age. The group’s main pedagogical approach is rooted in inclusive experiential and adventure pedagogy, built on the idea of a curious child who actively seeks new nature-based experiences, adventures, knowledge, and skills. In the Luhtaröllit forest, fallen trees and stumps created an exciting landscape for exploration. One of the children’s favorite plays was hunting for caterpillars!

Key takeaways and reflection of Early Childhood Education Study Tour in Finland

The study tour concluded with a memorable farewell lunch in the stunning setting of Finlayson Palace. Participants reflected on their experiences throughout the week and shared the insights and ideas.

Here are some key observations made by our visitors regarding Finnish Early Childhood Education:

• The high quality of Finnish early childhood education was evident in all the places visited, eliminating the need for school shopping.
• The child-centered approach in all activities emphasizes that “no one size fits all.”
• Teachers enjoy autonomy in their choices
• Critical self-assessment at every level and a keen interest in evaluating and developing practices
• Finland’s strong culture of trust among daycare center staff, parents, and children.
• Inclusion is noticeable, with special needs of pupils being addressed and everyone welcomed and considered in the classroom.
• Community plays a vital role in school activities
• Patience in adults and teaching routines is emphasized in Finland, allowing children to do things at their own pace without being rushed.
• From a young age, Finnish children are encouraged to be self-active and independent.
• Children use tools and design and make their own toys out of wood, reflecting a national interest in woodworking and craftsmanship.
• Finns use common sense to determine the best options for children
• Practical matters to make everyday life easier such as beds and high tables, are thoughtfully designed

We would like to warmly thank all participants for your visit and for the wonderful week spent with us, as well as the Tours for Teachers for the excellent collaboration again!

Early childhood educator or teacher, do you wish to connect with like-minded educators in October 2025 and enjoy the great company of Tours for Teacher? See you in Finland!