HEI Schools

🎲 Play-based learning” is everywhere now. But here is the important part: not all play-based learning is equal.

Real play-based learning is not simply giving children toys, colorful materials, or free time. The strongest approach combines child agency with clear learning goals and skilled adult guidance.

That means teachers are still deeply involved. They prepare the environment, observe children’s interests, ask thoughtful questions, introduce language, support social interaction, and gently stretch the learning without taking over the play.

So next time you hear “play-based learning,” ask:
What are children learning through this play?
And how are adults supporting that learning?

At HEI Schools, this balance of joyful play and pedagogical intention is at the heart of our Finnish-inspired early years approach. 💛

🇫🇮🇲🇽 It was a pleasure to welcome a delegation of students from Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City, to HEI Schools Head Office in Helsinki on June 9.

🎓The group is visiting Finland as part of a two-week study tour organized by Haaga-Helia, exploring the Finnish education system and its globally recognized approach to learning.

🏫During their visit to HEI Schools, students were introduced to the foundations of Finnish education, with a particular focus on early childhood education. The session was led by Mira Leirimaa, Pedagogical Success Manager, and Heikki Vartia, Director of Global Parnerships, who shared insights into the Finnish pedagogical approach and the principles that guide learning in the early years. Many of the students were eager to join HEI Schools Teacher Diploma program, which is also available in Spanish!

📚The afternoon was further enriched by an inspiring keynote from Dr. Lasse Lipponen, Professor of Education at the University of Helsinki and a co-founder of HEI Schools, on “Moving Towards World-Centered Education in Early Childhood Education During Times of Crisis,” offering thought-provoking perspectives on the true purpose of education.

Thank you to our guests for the engaging discussions, and we wish them a rewarding and inspiring study tour in Finland. 👏

Ready to elevate your teaching skills this summer? ☀️

Take advantage of our 50% off summer special on the
HEI Schools Diploma Program! 📚 🎓Learn the best practices in Early Childhood Education and Care from Finnish experts and be prepared for an amazing fall semester. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer to invest in your career!

The best part of childhood is being a child.

This International Children’s Day, we celebrate the everyday moments that matter most: play, wonder, friendship, safety, and joy. 👫

At HEI Schools, childhood is not something to rush through. It is something to protect and cherish. 💛

🌍 Big news from HEI Schools!

We’re proud to partner with Ion Riva to bring Finnish, research-based early childhood education to a visionary new community in Istanbul, Türkiye 🇹🇷🇫🇮

This project represents more than a school — it’s a commitment to creating future-ready learning environments where children can thrive through play, creativity, wellbeing, and holistic development.

Together with Ion Riva, we are building a community where education is designed around happiness, curiosity, and lifelong learning — inspired by the world-renowned Finnish education approach.

✨ A new benchmark for early education in Türkiye
✨ Designed for modern families and future generations
✨ Rooted in Finnish pedagogy, child-centered learning and sustainability

We’re excited to shape the future of education together.

A beautiful new beginning in Bogotá ✨

A few weeks ago, HEI Schools Bogotá Buckingham North officially opened its doors — welcoming children, families, educators, and partners into a thoughtfully designed learning environment inspired by the Finnish approach to early childhood education 🇫🇮🌱

From light-filled classrooms and calming spaces to moments shared with our global HEI Schools community, the inauguration day was a celebration of what learning can look and feel like when children’s wellbeing is placed at the center.

We were honored to celebrate this milestone together with HEI Schools Co-founder Dr. Lasse Lipponen, Ambassador of Finland Eija Rotinen, the Buckingham School leadership team, and many others who believe in the power of joyful, play-based learning.

Here, children are encouraged to explore, discover, create, and grow — at their own pace and in their own way.

Thank you to everyone who made this special day possible. We can’t wait to see this community flourish 💛

We were delighted to welcome two inspiring international educator groups to our headquarters in Helsinki last week — all united by a shared interest in learning more about the Finnish education system and early childhood education practices.

🇫🇮🤝🇰🇿 On Wednesday last week we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Pavlodar Pedagogical University (PPU) in Kazakhstan. Led by the university’s principal, Mr. Yerzhan Amirbekuly, the group is on a four-day visit to Finland to explore the world-renowned Finnish education system and gain insights into its pedagogical approaches and practices.

Founded in 1962, Pavlodar Pedagogical University is one of Kazakhstan’s recognized public teacher-training universities, specializing in education, pedagogy, psychology, languages, and natural sciences. PPU offers bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs and plays an important role in preparing teachers and education professionals across the region. The university is also actively involved in educational research and international academic cooperation under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

🇫🇮🤝🇹🇷 On Thursday last week, we also welcomed a group of Turkish educators and school owners who visited Lahti and Helsinki as part of a Finnish education study tour. The visit was organized by Mr. Abdollah Nazari from ITTC – International Teacher Training College in Ankara, Türkiye. The group was eager to deepen their understanding of Finnish early childhood education and the broader Finnish education ecosystem.

Both visits were hosted by Mr. Heikki Vartia, Director of Global Partnerships at HEI Schools. He received highly positive feedback from participants regarding their observations in Finland and the inspiring work HEI Schools is doing to bring Finnish early childhood education practices to children around the world.

We are grateful for these meaningful international exchanges and proud to contribute to global conversations about quality education, pedagogy, and child-centered learning.

📍 NEW Lillipods® Preschool Opening in Maesot, Thailand 🇹🇭

Big news from Southeast Asia!

The Finnish-inspired kindergarten concept Lillipods® is expanding to Maesot, Thailand — bringing globally benchmarked early childhood education to a growing and vibrant community.

🌱 Built on a 2-hectare greenfield site
👶 Phase 1 capacity: up to 120 children (scalable to 180)
🏫 Designed as the foundation for a future full K–12 campus
🗓 Target opening: June 2027

As demand rises across Asia for internationally inspired early education models, this project represents a needed opportunity — both for families and forward-thinking edupreneurs.

More updates coming soon as the project progresses.