On the basis of the National Curriculum Guide, each preschool must formulate its own school curriculum. The curriculum should be in writing and accessible to all those concerned. The school curriculum should explain how the preschool intends to work towards the goals set by the National Curriculum Guide for Preschools, what methods will be used and how evaluation is carried out. The values ​​on which the preschool’s work is based and the ideological emphases that are taken into account shall also be discussed. The school curriculum should also state the emphases and methods that the preschool has decided to use in communicating with children, staff, parents and the local community. Before the school curriculum comes into force, a committee elected by the local government shall confirm the curriculum after receiving the opinion of the parents’ council.

The school curriculum shall be reviewed regularly. The preschool curriculum shall take into account the interests and views of children and shall be prepared in cooperation with preschool teachers, other staff, children and parents. The main emphases and criteria in the work of the preschool are shaped by the participation and dialogue of these parties. The school curriculum is therefore a kind of agreement on which paths each preschool intends to take in working methods and communication to promote the education of children and promote professional development and professionalism within the preschool.

Preschools prepare a work plan that discusses the annual activities of the preschool, publishes a school calendar and various other practical information about the school administration of each preschool. It may also include the main emphases in parental cooperation, internal evaluation, the relationship between the preschool and the primary school, support services and arrangements for safety and accident prevention, as appropriate. The plan is prepared in close collaboration with preschool teachers, other staff, children and parents. It is possible to prepare a work plan so that the activities of the previous school year are evaluated when it is prepared. This provides an opportunity to discuss annually those aspects that these parties consider important and are satisfied with, as well as those aspects that they believe can be improved. The plan must receive the opinion of the parents’ council before the committee elected by the local government takes it for processing in accordance with the Act on Preschools.

A preschool must be in constant development, follow current trends and policies and increase knowledge and progress in the preschool for the benefit of the school community as a whole. Development work can include, among other things, planned projects that are intended to lead to innovation, development and improvement in preschool work. The goals of a development project, timetable, organization and methods must be available before it begins. Its success must be evaluated, whether and how the goals were achieved and the experience shared with others involved in preschool work.