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!

Early childhood education is changing rapidly. Parents today want preschools that do more than prepare children for exams. They want schools that nurture creativity, communication, and confidence — while also ensuring strong foundations in math, literacy, and life skills. For preschool owners and educators, the challenge is clear: how do you balance traditional learning with modern, child-centered methods in India?

At Kindiedays, we believe the answer lies in a blended curriculum merging best practices from Finland with the cultural and curriculum needs in India — one that brings together the best of experiential, playful learning with the structured support of textbooks. This combination empowers teachers, engages children, and reassures parents.

And very soon, we are excited to share that Kindiedays will launch a new academic calendar for India that integrates both experiential lesson plans and textbooks seamlessly.

Why Preschools Need a Blended Approach

Traditionally, many preschools in India have relied heavily on textbooks and worksheets. While these provide structure and familiarity for parents, they often limit opportunities for children to explore, discover, and express themselves. On the other hand, fully play-based programs can sometimes leave parents worried: “But what about reading and writing? What about math?”

A blended curriculum solves this challenge:

In modern preschools, children learn best through playful learning—exploring, imagining, experimenting, and collaborating. Play is not just fun; it is the foundation for developing language, creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.

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But here’s the challenge: traditional assessment methods don’t capture the richness of playful learning. End-of-term checklists or exams may show what a child can do at one point in time, but they miss the everyday progress and joyful discoveries happening in your classroom.

This is where formative assessment comes in. By observing and documenting learning as it happens, teachers can better understand each child’s growth, tailor their instruction to meet individual needs, and share meaningful progress with parents.

And with Kindiedays Digi Tools, formative assessment becomes simple, organized, and powerful—supporting teachers in creating evidence of playful learning while building trust with parents and showcasing the quality of your preschool.

Formative vs. Summative Assessment in Preschools

Formative Assessment

• What it is: Continuous assessment that tracks learning during the process, not just at the end.
• How it works in preschools: Teachers observe children during play, story time, or group activities and record notes, photos, or videos. These observations are linked to developmental goals like communication, creativity, or motor skills.
• Why it matters: Development in early childhood is ongoing and non-linear. Formative assessment captures this journey—helping teachers adapt lessons, celebrate small achievements, and encourage each child’s individual growth.

Summative Assessment

• What it is: An Evaluation that sums up what a child has learned at the end of a unit, term, or milestone.
• How it works in preschools: End-of-term reports, progress charts, or portfolios presented to parents to show overall achievement.
• Why it matters: Summative assessment is used for curriculum reviews, quality checks, and giving parents a snapshot of their child’s overall progress at key points.

A New Way of Assessment for Playful Learning

As schools across Finland reopen this week after the summer holidays, a significant change is making headlines: smartphones will be banned in classrooms across the country starting from August 2025. This move is part of a broader effort to restore focus in learning and reduce screen-related distractions. Still, a year ago, starting school meant getting a smartphone.

While the law mainly targets primary and secondary schools, the conversation around digital balance begins much earlier – already in preschool. As preschool educators and owners, it’s essential to ask: Are we doing enough to ensure young children are learning through social interaction and play – not passive screen time?

📘 What’s the New Law in Finland?

The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has confirmed several key changes:

• Smartphones can only be used for learning or health purposes – and only with teacher permission.
• Teachers now have the authority to confiscate phones if they disrupt learning.
• Schools must set clear rules on how and when phones can be stored or accessed.
• During breaks, schools are encouraged to offer alternative activities to keep students off their phones.
• Parents and teachers are expected to work together to promote a new culture of phone-free recreation.

📌 "The goal is to improve student focus and create a peaceful learning atmosphere," says Finland’s Ministry of Education.

These changes respond to increasing concerns in Finland that children and teens are spending too much time on phones—often more than four hours a day. Cyberbullying has also increased, linked to more frequent phone use during school hours.

🎒 But What About Preschoolers?