In Finland’s national core curriculum for early childhood education and care (ECEC), a central aim is to nurture transversal competencies—capabilities that children develop across contexts, not just in isolated subject areas. These competencies bridge knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes, guiding children to apply what they learn in varied situations.

As we at Kindiedays aim to bring Finnish-inspired practices into preschools globally, understanding transversal competencies gives us a powerful framework for holistic child development. Below, let’s explore what these competencies are, how Finland integrates them in early education, and how preschools using Kindiedays can embed them into practice.

Transversal competencies

What Are Transversal Competencies?

In Finland’s ECEC, transversal competencies are six interconnected areas that children develop across everyday play and guided activities—not as separate “subjects,” but woven through everything they do:

Part 3 of 7

Here we continue with Part 3 of our series of blog posts from Ranjan Goyal, one of the leading experts in the field of preschool education. In this blog, we create an action plan for launching our new preschool, which we outlined in our previous posts. How to set up a preschool and Business plan for a Premium Preschool.

If you are starting to work on your new premium preschool in October 2025 and want to open doors in April 2026 (the start of the academic year in many parts of India), you’ll have six months to set everything up. That’s a very realistic timeline if you do some tasks in parallel.

6-Month Roadmap to Launch a Premium Preschool

October 2025 – Planning & Foundation

Goals: Set vision, secure location, and align curriculum partner.

Part 2 of 7

Here we continue with Part 2 of our series of blog posts from Ranjan Goyal, one of the leading experts in the field of preschool education. In this blog, we create a business plan for our new preschool. You can find Part 1 HERE.

1. Executive Summary

India’s preschool market is growing rapidly, driven by young urban parents seeking high-quality early childhood education aligned with global standards. The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) emphasizes play-based, child-centered learning, opening opportunities for premium preschools to differentiate themselves through superior pedagogy, improved teacher quality, and strong parent engagement.

Our preschool aims to establish itself as a boutique, premium preschool offering international best practices adapted to the needs of Indian families. It will cater to mid- to high-income parents in metropolitan or Tier 1 cities, charging an annual fee of ₹1.5 –₹ 4.0 lakhs.

The preschool will be positioned around three pillars:

1. Holistic Education – Blending play-based pedagogy from Finland/Montessori/Reggio Emilia with NEP 2020 compliance.
2. Teacher Excellence – Continuous professional development to ensure nurturing and skilled educators.
3. Parent Engagement – Transparent, technology-driven updates showcasing children’s progress and building parent trust. 

2. Market Analysis

2.1 Industry Overview

• India’s preschool sector is valued at ₹30,000+ crore, growing at ~18% CAGR.
• Urban working parents prioritize safe, premium preschools offering international pedagogy.
• Parents demand academic readiness, as well as holistic skills such as creativity, confidence, and social-emotional development.

2.2 Target Market

Part 1 of 7

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

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