Kilquhanity Childrens Village is the Scottish base for for Kinokuni Childrens Village in Japan and Katsuyama Childrens Village, Japan.

They share a practical involvement in different ways of learning. They are all centres of the ‘free school’, ‘progressive education’, ‘and alternative education’ movement, are inspired by the writings and practice of such figures as John Aitkenhead, A.S. Neill, Dewey, Hori, Paulo Freire, Illich, Godwin, the libertarian philosophers and writers.