By Kindiedays CEO Milla van der Burgh

Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with preschool leaders and educators across India through Kindiedays. These conversations, school visits and teacher trainings gave me a deeper understanding of both the opportunities and challenges of implementing play-based learning.

They also inspired my master's thesis, Play-Based Learning in Indian Preschools: Constructivist and Experiential Perspectives on NEP 2020 Implementation.

The research explored how Indian preschool educators interpret and implement play-based and experiential learning, and what supports—or hinders—the transition from policy to everyday classroom practice.

You can read the full thesis here:
https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/929191

The question has changed

One of the most encouraging findings was that educators no longer question why play-based learning matters.

Across the interviews, preschool owners, principals, teachers and academic coordinators shared a strong commitment to the vision of NEP 2020. They recognised the importance of curiosity, exploration, meaningful experiences and holistic child development.

The real question had become:

How do we make this happen consistently in everyday classrooms?

A preschool learning environment is much more than colourful walls and toys.

The entire ecosystem supports children’s holistic development through routines, interactions, materials, activities, and relationships. The most successful preschools intentionally design environments where children feel safe, curious, engaged, and supported.

A high-quality environment does not depend on expensive infrastructure. It depends on thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of how young children learn.

This guide explores 8 topics that help preschool owners and teachers build a vibrant, structured, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

You can also join Kindiedays Academy online for interactive workshops where we explore these cornerstones. The next cohort starts on August 1st.

👉 Check Kindiedays Academy HERE.

1. A Child-Centred Philosophy

Every strong preschool begins with a child-centred approach—one that views children as active learners rather than passive receivers of information. This means:

• Activities encourage exploration
• Teachers guide instead of constantly instructing
• Children make choices within structured routines
• Learning happens through play, conversation, movement, and discovery

A child-centred philosophy creates confident, joyful learners who are genuinely ready for primary school.

Kindergarten Manager Ms. Dong Ha joined Cohort 13 of the Kindiedays Academy. Here is what she experienced.

Why did you choose to participate in the Academy?

I have always longed for Vietnamese early childhood education to be more open—one that truly places the learner at the center of every activity. I hope teachers no longer have to strain themselves by framing both the questions and answers on behalf of the children, as is currently the practice in most schools across Vietnam. Knowing that Finnish education embodies the ideal approach I have been looking for, I decided to enroll in this course.

What did you learn in the Academy? / What impressed you the most? / What is useful for teachers & educational managers?