HEI Schools, a globally recognized leader in Finnish early childhood education, proudly announces its first license model partnership in Colombia and the opening of the country’s inaugural HEI Schools® early years center. This milestone marks a new chapter in HEI Schools' mission to bring world-class Finnish education to families around the globe.
The newly established partnership with the Buckingham School in Bogotá aligns with HEI Schools' commitment to sharing its innovative educational model, which emphasizes play-based learning, creativity, and a child-centric approach.
This first HEI Schools kindergarten in Colombia will be opened in the Buckingham School’s campus in Northern Bogotá. It aims to provide children with a nurturing environment where they can develop critical skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and independent thinking. The program also supports parents and educators by offering high-quality training, teaching resources, and ongoing mentorship to ensure the smooth implementation of Finnish pedagogical practices.
“We are thrilled to bring Finnish early childhood education to Colombia and have the school operated by a very well-established school with passionate educators who share our vision of fostering joyful and meaningful learning experiences,” said Heikki Vartia, Director of Global Partnerships at HEI Schools.
HEI Schools® Bogotá North Buckingham will soon be launched within the existing kindergarten and preschool building on the Buckingham School campus. The building will be fully renovated to serve as a modern, functional early childhood education center, designed according to the Nordic-inspired HEI Schools concept. The center will cater to children aged 3 to 6 years.
Renovation work will begin in the coming weeks, transforming the current facilities into a state-of-the-art early years environment that reflects the Finnish approach to learning and design. In addition, all teaching staff will undergo comprehensive training in the HEI Schools model, led by expert Finnish educators, from September through November 2025.
“We have been implementing the Finnish early years curriculum since 2022 using the HEI Schools Toolkit Curriculum,” said Juliana Salazar Borda, Director of Buckingham School. “Now, we’re proud to take the next step by transforming our kindergarten and preschool into a fully licensed and branded HEI Schools Early Years Center.” Ms. Salazar Borda added, “The Finnish curriculum aligns seamlessly with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework we follow across all grade levels, making this transition a natural and strategic evolution for our school.”
HEI Schools' expansion into Colombia represents its continued dedication to promoting inclusive and high-quality education worldwide. With the growing demand for innovative early education solutions, this partnership reaffirms HEI Schools' role in shaping the future of global education.
About HEI Schools
Founded in Helsinki, Finland in 2015, HEI Schools (Helsinki International Schools Group) is an award-winning early education company that provides globally scalable education solutions inspired by Finland’s renowned school system. With its child-focused approach and scientifically-backed curriculum, HEI Schools equips educators and parents with the tools they need to foster inspiring learning environments. Today, HEI Schools operates in over 15 countries and continues to expand its mission of bringing joyful learning to children around the world. For more information, visit www.heischools.com
About Buckingham School
Buckingham School is a top-10 ranked, private, bilingual institution in Colombia with 42 years of experience, offering a dual Colombian and IB degree, plus French. It emphasizes a holistic approach to education, fostering critical thinking, diversity, and an inclusive learning environment. The school provides programs from preschool to secondary levels, focusing on academic, artistic, athletic, and social skill development. With highly qualified staff, Buckingham promotes excellence and human values like respect, honesty, and solidarity, preparing students for future challenges with leadership and cooperation.