This Is What the First Finnish Kindergarten in the UK Looks Like

The United Kingdom’s first Finnish-style kindergarten was officially opened in Islington, London, in December 2022. Underpinned by Scandinavian design, the setting is built on the Finnish early years curriculum and play-based pedagogy that highlights the joy of learning – an approach gaining global recognition.

Traditional desks are nowhere to be seen in this kindergarten – something that has charmed many parents. In a nation known for its educational standards, British parents are increasingly looking for alternative learning pathways for their children. Rather than early academic drilling, they are drawn to an approach where children learn naturally through play, while developing a broad set of skills such as collaboration, self-expression and learning to learn. For this purpose, the Finnish early childhood education curriculum and pedagogical methods offer an ideal foundation.

Nordic Star by FinlandWay®, the UK’s first Finnish-style kindergarten, follows Finland’s national early years curriculum. The environment has been designed in line with Nordic design heritage and Finland’s high pedagogical standards. Unlike typical British early years settings, the space is not dominated by tables and chairs. Instead, children – from toddlers to preschoolers – have ample room to play, with the layout structured around various thematic play corners, movement areas and reading nooks. The calming colour palette and the books and toys on display are carefully curated and rotated weekly in line with the theme.

The curriculum is reflected not only in the design, but also in the daily programme, which places strong emphasis on transversal competences such as social skills, media literacy, participation and agency. “Our Finland-based pedagogical team has ensured that the content is compatible with the British curriculum. At a FinlandWay kindergarten, we apply scientifically grounded, play- and phenomenon-based learning – a method that aligns naturally with how children learn,” says Noora Laitio, CEO and Co-Founder of FinlandWay.

The official opening of Nordic Star by FinlandWay® in Islington, London, took place on 2 December 2022 and was attended by Jukka Siukosaari, the Finnish Ambassador to the United Kingdom. High-quality early childhood education is a topical issue in the UK, and its importance has been recently highlighted by HRH The Princess of Wales, Catherine, who launched a campaign emphasising the lifelong impact of early childhood and aiming to shift public attitudes around the subject.