Some of the only opportunities many American kids get to stretch their imagination, get dirty, and play games come in preschool. The trouble is, parents are often expected to pay for that early education, setting up disparities that could last through the child's later years.
In Finland, parents are guaranteed everything. Preschool and daycare are both universal until age 7, and more than 97% of 3- to 6-year-olds take advantage of at least one, NPR reports.
More than that, though, the preschools are good. They align their curricula with one another and prepare kids along similar tracks. By the time kids start getting actual work, parents can rest assured the same lessons are getting elsewhere taught across town.