Early childhood education at Pilke daycare centres
In daycare centres, children participate in early childhood education and care – what does it mean? And what is early childhood education and care like at Pilke daycare centres?
On this page, we have collected information on what early childhood education and care is and how it is implemented at Pilke’s daycare centres. Also check out the frequently asked questions at the end of the page!
- What is early childhood education and care?
- ECEC plan contains the child’s early childhood education goals
- Learning environment
- Our pedagogy
- Early childhood education and care for children in daycare, preliminary pre-school and pre-school
- Early childhood education supports the child in various situations
- Contact us
What is early childhood education and care?
Early childhood education care is a rather new concept that has largely replaced the previously more common term daycare. Early childhood education and care refers to a planned, goal-oriented entity of upbringing, education and care that places emphasis on pedagogical approaches.
Early childhood education is planned, assessed and developed on a regular basis. In Finland, all children have the right to participate in early childhood education that aims at ensuring their well-being.
Finnish early childhood education emphasises the Nordic principle of involving play, care and safety. At Pilke, we focus on the children’s safety and comfort, and our professional educators know how to encounter and activate the children and listen to their needs.
ECEC discussions are held at Pilke daycare centres on an annual basis. The purpose is to discuss common guidelines and objectives and to agree on how the individual development, learning and well-being of the child will be fostered in early childhood education.
ECEC plan contains the child’s early childhood education goals
An early childhood education and care plan, or ECEC plan, is one of the first new terms a family encounters when their child starts at daycare.
What is the ECEC plan about? The ECEC plan states the goals and actions to support the child’s development, learning and well-being. The ECEC plan is prepared jointly by the family and the daycare centre when the child starts to attend daycare. The plan also takes account of the child’s own perspectives.
The ECEC plan is reviewed and updated annually in an ECEC discussion between the family and the daycare centre.
Children’s individual ECEC plans are based on the National Core Curriculum for Early Childhood Education and Care issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Municipal early childhood education and care curricula are prepared based on the national core curriculum, and they provide a framework for the local ECEC plans.
How the daycare learning environment supports the child’s growth, development and learning
The environment provided by the daycare centre plays a key role in supporting the child’s growth, development and learning. A learning environment comprises, for example, the facilities, equipment and materials at the daycare centre as well as its courtyard and surroundings. The learning environment also encompasses aspects not related to physical space. As a whole, the learning environment is formed by physical, social and psychological factors.
The learning environments at Pilke’s daycare centres are open, communal environments that children can explore based on their interests. They encompass music and exercise spaces, ateliers, adaptable play rooms and a canteen, for example.
Physical
Acoustics, ergonomics, accessibility, ecology, LED lighting, indoor air quality, safety, activation, yard and neighbourhood environment, cleanliness.
Social
Groups of different sizes, inclusion, self-management, interaction, common rules, bullying prevention, language development, cultural diversity.
Psychological
Solidarity, expression and regulation of emotions, equality, gender equality, child-centredness, supportiveness.
For a kindergarten-age child, learning should always be fun!
Pilke’s early childhood education pedagogy – how we enable children’s learning
At Pilke, we consider each child an active learner.
Children learn gradually in interaction with their environment. They structure new things in relation to their earlier experience, knowledge and views. They learn when things are connected to their own world of experiences and interests.
In order to learn new things, children must feel safe, comfortable and happy. Children are naturally curious, creative and active, and they explore the surrounding world through play. Positive feedback encourages them to learn more and builds a robust self-esteem.
Everyday pedagogy at Pilke daycare
At Pilke, everyday pedagogy is an important topic. Under school-age children learn most efficiently through play and everyday activities.
Everyday pedagogy means that Pilke’s educators are keen to seize learning opportunities in various daily activities, such as mealtimes and dressing for outdoors.
All Pilke’s daycare centres have seven soft and colourful characters, the Learning Friends, to help bring early childhood education pedagogy to life. Each Learning Friend also has its own themed play area in the daycare.
Early childhood education and care for children in daycare, preliminary pre-school and pre-school
For us, quality early childhood education involves learning through play and gentle interaction.
We see and recognise each child’s unique talents and support their strengths. We are passionate about our work and build safe and inspiring learning pathways for everyone.
A safe and supportive environment is a great starting point for friendship, surprises and learning together. A nursery that is fun to go to and a place to be in from day one.
Daycare
(1–4-year-olds)
With the youngest children, we emphasise care and gradually increase the role of upbringing and learning through everyday pedagogy.
Preliminary pre-school
(5-year-olds)
Learning sessions aimed at 5-year-olds.
Pre-school
(6-year-olds)
At pre-school, children learn skills required on the first grades of primary education and participate in school visits.
Early childhood education supports the child in various situations
Like other private daycare centres, Pilke typically acts as a service provider that complements and supports municipal services. We provide early childhood education services in compliance with the local policies.
Children who need special support are often placed in municipal daycare centres. Pilke may provide daycare places to such children if the service is purchased from us by the municipality. We employ special education teachers in early childhood education and care and acquire increased support as required.
Municipal practices with regard to special support children may vary, but the priority is to secure the best interests of the child. If your family has a child who needs special support and you wish to apply for a place at a Pilke daycare centre, we recommend you to discuss the matter with the daycare centre manager and the municipal early childhood education service guidance.
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