Leaps and Bounds…

Education
 19 May 2023

How the Finnish approach to early education found its way to Toowoomba.

BY BONNIE LAXTON-BLINKHORN, KINDICARE

MAY 19, 2023

With its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant cities, Finland has earned a reputation as a happy and healthy place to live.  

But it's not just the scenery and lifestyle that make Finland stand out. The country's education system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, and they have a real focus on early education.  

By taking a holistic approach to care and education, Finnish models prioritise each child's individual needs and encourage them to learn on their own terms surrounded by the support of families, educators and their environment. 

Although Toowoomba may seem worlds away from Finland, young learners are benefiting from Finland’s progressive approach thanks to Leaps & Bounds Parklands, which recently reopened following an extensive renovation. 

Bringing the Finnish approach down under. 

We spoke with Sarah Heath, the owner of Leaps & Bounds, to discover how the Finnish model is being implemented at this centre, and how children benefit. 

According to Sarah, play is the cornerstone of early childhood education, and immersing children in a natural environment is essential for their development, this is also a core principle of the Finnish model, which Leaps & Bounds embraces wholeheartedly. 

“We believe children should be free to go outside whenever they choose because exercise outdoors is an important part of the early learning experience.  

“We also support the concept that children learn more about nature and the environment throughout their educational journey when they are immersed in natural surroundings,” explains Sarah. 

This is easy at Leaps & Bounds which beautifully incorporates aspects of the Finnish design aesthetic, including its emphasis on simplicity, and builds on a connection to nature indoors.  

With its Mediterranean entrance, inviting lounges and ancient styled pots on the verandah, Sarah says the centre exudes warmth and comfort and provokes curiosity.  

“The lush lawns surrounded by fragrant Murraya hedges and towering trees provide a serene and calming atmosphere, which is perfect for learning and exploration,” she says. 

The team at Leaps & Bounds believe that by providing children with plenty of opportunities to connect with nature, they will instil a love and appreciation for the environment that will stay with them for a lifetime.  

Above and beyond the physical environment. 

At Leaps & Bounds, the Finnish approach to early childhood education goes beyond the provision of a physical environment that fosters learning and wellbeing.  

The program emphasises a holistic approach to education and development, focusing on the importance of sustainability, and acknowledging the crucial role of teachers.  

To this end, learning is not limited to classrooms or textbooks; it can occur anywhere and at any time. The program also emphasises the social experience of learning, and by including aspects of the Reggio Emilia pedagogy, it recognises that children learn best through building good relationships with others.  

Exploration and transferrable skills development are also key elements of the Finnish approach, as it aims to foster confident learners who can adapt to and thrive in any setting.  

Sarah says, “All of these aspects combine to create an educational system that values each child's unique qualities, letting them learn at their own pace while reaching their full potential and supporting holistic growth and wellbeing.” 

Sarah believes that this approach fosters curiosity, creativity, active participation, trust, and sustainability, providing a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and personal growth.  

Leaping and bounding at Leaps & Bounds. 

Leaps & Bounds offers early childhood education to children 15 months and older, with children grouped into Tadpoles, Froglets, and Frogs based on age.  

Common across every age and stage is the opportunity for children to spend time with the in-house exercise physiologist, who supports them to meet their full potential, physically and mentally.  

Sarah says the exercise physiologist works with all the children to develop their gross and fine motor skills, but that she also creates individual programs designed to foster social skills, emotional regulation and self-confidence among children with low participation rates.   

Children with developmental delays receive extra scaffolding to help them meet their milestones. 

Sarah says having a full-time exercise physiologist on the team is a new concept in early education and is based on their belief that, “Healthy development requires that children of all abilities, including those with additional health care needs, are able to grow up with their social, emotional and educational needs being met.” 

Sarah says the team at Leaps & Bounds works closely with children, families and the environment to create an exciting world of learning which supports each child’s individual developmental journey.  

“Our approach gears children for future success while allowing them to simply be children and experience the joy of childhood. It builds resilience as they learn how to think for themselves, to love learning, to solve problems, to express how they feel, and to value their own and other’s opinion.”  

The approach to early learning at Leaps & Bounds Parklands, seems to combine the best of the Finnish model with the best of the Australian system to deliver a truly holistic offering which provides space for each child to grow and learn at their own pace.  

You can learn more about this wonderful service on KindiCare >>>>