Part 1 of 3

This time, we are delighted to publish a guest post from Ranjan Goyal, one of the leading experts in the field of preschool education. As the CEO, Ranjan has set up several preschool chains in India. He is now an independent consultant helping preschools match new needs and opportunities, and here shares his advice.

Guest Post from Ranjan Goyal

Ranjan and the Ambassador of Finland to India, Kimmo Lähdevirta.

"I am planning to set up my own premium preschool in India. What advice can you give me?"

This is the most frequently asked question I receive, and it typically leads to an engaging discussion. Setting up a premium preschool in India can be highly profitable, but it is crucial to strike a balance between educational quality, business sustainability, and meeting parent expectations. Let me give you an idea of what to be careful about: 

Choosing the right preschool curriculum is one of the most critical decisions for school owners and parents. The early years, from birth to age 6, lay the foundation for a child’s learning, confidence, and social development. A well-designed curriculum helps preschools attract parents, enhance quality, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving education landscape such as India.

In this 2026 guide, we’ll walk through:

• Why curriculum choice matters more than ever
• The key types of preschool curricula available
• The factors preschool owners and parents should consider
• How to future-proof your preschool with a curriculum aligned to global best practices

Why Choosing the Right Preschool Curriculum Matters in 2026

1. Parents Are More Informed

Young parents today research carefully before choosing a preschool. They compare curriculums, ask for evidence of learning, and expect global quality even at mid-income price points.

2. Competition Among Preschools Is Growing

The private preschool sector is expanding rapidly, with thousands of independent schools alongside well-known franchise brands. The curriculum is often the first thing parents look at as a differentiator.

3. New Education Policies, such as NEP 2020 in India

New Education Policies place strong emphasis on play-based, activity-driven learning in early childhood. Preschools that align with these guidelines are more attractive to parents and compliant with the future education framework.

Key Types of Preschool Curricula Available Today

At Kindiedays, we are proud to celebrate the success of our partner Cresmonde World School, which has recently been recognized with the prestigious award for Best School in Active Learning.

This achievement highlights Cresmonde’s strong commitment to creating a joyful, engaging, and child-centered learning environment – inspired by Finnish best practices and adapted beautifully to the local context.

A Vision for Child-Centered Learning

Cresmonde World School has set out with a clear mission: to prepare children not only for academic excellence but also for lifelong learning. Their leadership recognized early on that traditional, rote-based teaching methods are insufficient for today’s rapidly changing world. Children need creativity, problem-solving skills, effective communication, and social-emotional skills to thrive.

This is where Finnish pedagogy, with its focus on playful learning, active participation, and holistic development, comes in. Cresmonde has embraced these practices and carefully woven them into its daily teaching methods.

During her recent visit to Cresmonde World School, our Education Specialist Stella Giota observed teachers beautifully implementing the Finnish playful approach in their classrooms.

In a culinary class, children became little chefs. Using child-friendly knives, they carefully cut vegetables into small pieces and designed salads that looked like works of art. Each salad was unique, reflecting the creativity of every child. This not only motivated even the pickiest eaters to try new vegetables, but also supported the development of essential life skills, such as practicing the safe use of real-life tools. 

• Practicing safe use of real-life tools
• Collaborating and sharing ingredients
• Observing and learning from peers
• Expressing creativity and pride in their work 

Bringing Finnish Pedagogy to Life

With the support of Kindiedays, Cresmonde World School has taken practical steps to implement Finnish best practices:

Preschools around the world are rethinking how they capture and understand children’s learning. A new study from Finland, published in the Early Childhood Education Journal, highlights how pedagogical documentation has become a powerful tool for early childhood educators.

But what does this mean for preschools? How can we avoid scoring children? How can we avoid cumbersome paperwork? And how can you use these ideas to strengthen both your teaching quality and parent satisfaction? Let’s explore.

What is Pedagogical Documentation?

Pedagogical documentation goes beyond traditional record-keeping. Instead of just noting milestones or filling in daily reports, it focuses on:

• Capturing learning moments as they happen
• Reflecting on children’s ideas and voices
• Using evidence to guide teaching decisions
• Sharing learning journeys with families

In Finland, educators view documentation as a formative process—a means to support children’s growth and development, rather than just a task to be completed.

How Teachers Put It Into Practice

Running a preschool today isn’t just about providing childcare; it's also about fostering a sense of community. Parents want real learning. Teachers want clarity. Owners wish for sustainable growth. All of this becomes possible when your preschool has a strong, well-designed curriculum + the right tools to execute it.

That’s precisely what Kindiedays Curriculum Partnership delivers — a complete package that helps private preschools (including yours) upgrade learning, engage parents, upskill teachers, and build reputation & enrolment — without reinventing the wheel.

Education Specialist Stella Giota from Kindiedays and Academic Lead Dr. Shilpy Dubey from Peas in Pod India are collaborating on the development of a blended curriculum.

What challenges many preschools face

Before we jump into how the partnership works, let’s see what many preschool owners & centre heads tell us:

• Teachers spend too much time planning themes, lessons, and materials from scratch, and often feel unsure whether they are meeting all learning objectives.
• Parents struggle to see what is happening in class. They ask: “What exactly is my child learning?” or “How do I know they are developing well?”
• Branding, reputation & trust matter — especially for mid‐income parents who are comparing preschools on quality, not just cost.
• Once momentum is built, maintaining consistency & quality over time (teacher performance, lesson delivery, documentation) is hard without ongoing support.

The Curriculum Partnership is built primarily to address all these.

What Kindiedays’ Curriculum Partnership gives you

Download the complete Info Package HERE!