Vantaa becomes the first municipality in Finland to introduce the internationally recognised IB programme to early childhood education
The Y.E.S. Daycare Centre in Pakkala will begin piloting the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in English in autumn 2026. Expanding the IB programme to early childhood education is an important step towards creating a continuous IB learning pathway in Vantaa, from early childhood education to upper secondary education.
Marja-Sisko Pohjola looks forward to the new opportunities for development that the IB programme will bring to the Y.E.S. Daycare Centre and the City of Vantaa.
Vantaa is the first municipal education provider in Finland to offer the IB programme to children in early childhood education. The pilot will begin in autumn 2026 at the Y.E.S. Daycare Centre in Pakkala, where the programme will initially be introduced in selected child groups.
The IB programme is already available in upper secondary education in Vantaa at Tikkurila Upper Secondary School and Varia Vocational College.
Marja-Sisko Pohjola, Director of the Y.E.S. Daycare Centre, is delighted that the IB programme is being introduced to municipal early childhood education.
Marja-Sisko Pohjola sees the IB programme as creating new opportunities for both learners and educators.
– The IB programme emphasises child-centred learning, international-mindedness and sustainability. It further strengthens the values and objectives that already guide our early childhood education. Through the programme, we will gain new approaches and methods for teaching and learning. It is wonderful to become part of an international network of educators," says Pohjola.
The Y.E.S. Daycare Centre will serve as the starting point for expanding IB education in Vantaa. Initially, the centre will participate in the programme as an IB candidate school. It will take approximately two years to obtain full authorisation to offer the IB programme. During this process, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) evaluates and supports the local implementation of the programme.
Expanding educational opportunities for families
Expanding the IB programme and creating a seamless learning pathway from early childhood education to upper secondary education is strategically important both for the City of Vantaa's Education Division and for the city as a whole.
– We want to ensure that internationally minded families, as well as families whose children benefit from an English-language learning environment, have access to educational options that meet their needs, says Ari Ranki, Director of Upper Secondary Education at the City of Vantaa.
– IB programmes are offered in more than 160 countries around the world.
We want to offer Vantaa residents an internationally recognised education, and we hope it will also attract new families to Vantaa.
English-language education for different needs
Aviapolis Upper Secondary School will also open in Vantaa in August 2026. In addition to its general upper secondary programme, the school will offer an English-language programme, allowing students to complete their studies in English and subsequently take the Finnish matriculation examination in English.
At present, pupils can receive basic education in English at the International School of Vantaa in grades 1–9, and at Rekolanmäki School and Kaivoksela School in grades 1–6. The Y.E.S. Daycare Centre already provides early childhood education and pre-primary education in English.
The expansion of the IB programme will further diversify the City of Vantaa's English-language education offering. In addition to teaching in English, the IB programme introduces new approaches and methods to teaching and learning. As an internationally recognised programme, it can also support international mobility.
– As an education provider, the City of Vantaa wants to offer different educational pathways to meet different needs. The English-language programme at Aviapolis Upper Secondary School is intended for students who arrive in Finland towards the end of basic education and whose Finnish language skills are not yet sufficient for Finnish-language upper secondary studies. At the same time, it is important to remember that Finnish is a compulsory subject in the English-language programme as well," says Ari Ranki, Director of Upper Secondary Education, and continues:
– The English-language IB programmes, in turn, create a continuous learning pathway that supports, for example, internationally mobile families.
Expanding English-language education does not mean overlooking the importance of Finnish.
– All English-language education programmes teach and develop Finnish language skills in accordance with the National Core Curricula and the City of Vantaa's local curricula for early childhood education and education," Ranki emphasises.
The IB programme will next expand to pre-primary and basic education
The first English-language IB pre-primary education group and Grade 1 IB class will begin in autumn 2027. All children living in Vantaa who would benefit from an English-language learning environment will be eligible to apply.
The detailed admission criteria for the pre-primary and basic education IB groups will be confirmed in autumn 2026. The application period will take place in January 2027.
Initially, the IB groups will be located in Pakkala. Over time, the provision of IB education will gradually expand across the Aviapolis area. Planning for the facilities is currently underway, and the City of Vantaa will provide further information at a later stage.
Y.E.S. Daycare Centre is located at the Pakkala campus in the same building as the International School of Vantaa.
What is the IB programme?
- IB stands for International Baccalaureate.
- An internationally recognised and respected education programme.
- Offered in more than 5,000 early childhood education centres, schools and educational institutions in over 160 countries.
- A popular education pathway for internationally mobile families.
- Combines the IB educational framework with the local curriculum.
- Emphasises multilingual learning, collaboration, inquiry-based learning and shared responsibility for our environment.
- Provides a continuous educational pathway from early childhood education to upper secondary education.
- The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) evaluates and supports the local implementation of the programme.
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