Pilke Daycare Centres’ learning orientations
Care and education, hand in hand
We offer innovative early childhood education based on active learning and professional teaching in all our daycare centers. Many of our daycare centres also offer a choice of differently focused early childhood education: nature, sports, music, science, and art and expression. Beside Finnish, we also offer early years learning in English or in Swedish.
These focus areas support the child’s strengths and interests. These priorities are written into the daycare centres early childhood education plan and are reflected in a variety of ways in the day-to-day life.
All Pilke daycare centres follow the Finnish legislation on Early Childhood Education and Care and are guided by both the national and municipal core curriculum for early childhood education and care (ECEC). Naturally, the emphasis on early childhood education also includes a wide range of activities every day, such as outdoor activities, singing, crafts and play – not forgetting rest.
We are passionate about our work and building safe and inspiring learning paths for everyone.
Pilke orientation leaders familiarise the daycare staff and work together to plan the focus early childhood education activities. In addition, the daycare staff receive training on the emphasis from our partners, such as Suomen Latu and the Lasten Tiedekoulu.
At Pilke, quality early childhood education involves learning through play and gentle interaction. We see and recognise each child’s unique talents and support their strengths.
Everyday pedagogy is present in every moment of the daycare. It is stopping together and wondering about things; counting peas in the salad, playing with colours while painting.
We cherish every unhurried moment we get to spend with the children, playing, talking and exploring the world together. We create a safe environment for children where emotional expressions are allowed, a hug is always available and there is time for play. Little by little, they will grow up to be independent agents, confident in their skills and daring to dream!
For us, the best customer feedback is a happy child who comes to the daycare – that’s how we know we’re doing quality and important work.
We develop lifelong learners with a heart for the world
Discover our kindergartens’ focused early childhood education and early years learning in English and Swedish
Art
The purpose of the art and expression-oriented early childhood education aims to nurture children’s creativity, curiosity and willingness to explore. Through diverse forms of expression, children discover themselves, deepening their emotional life and enriching their imagination. Visual art activities give shape and colour to children’s thoughts and feelings.
English
The language of play is universal! All families, both international and Finnish are warmly welcome to our Pilke Playschools. We offer early years learning in fully English-language or in extensive bilingual Finnish English. At our kindergartens, children grow, play, and learn in English in a joyful, nurturing environment that celebrates diversity and curiosity.
English language-enriched
In language enriched early years learning, we use English alongside Finnish as a natural part of our daily routines. With the children, we explore familiar songs, rhymes, and basic concepts in English, while singing, playing, and wondering about things together. This is a warm, supportive start in a Finnish speaking environment, with familiar English moments throughout the day.
Music
The primary aim of music-oriented early childhood education is to spark children’s interest in music. Music offers children a way to express themselves, deepen their emotional life, and enrich their imagination. The building blocks of our music-oriented education include songs, singing games, rhymes, playing instruments, movement, and listening to music.
Nature
At a nature-oriented daycare centre, children develop a positive attitude towards nature, outdoor activities and sustainable living. Nature plays a central role in early childhood education through exploring and wondering at natural phenomena, regular excursions, and time spent moving and playing outdoors.
Science
In a science-oriented daycare, the focus is on exploring and wondering at natural phenomena that arise from children’s own interests. Depending on their age, this might mean investigating the states of water or outer space, admiring rainbows, or building three-dimensional shapes. For children, exploring phenomena is a playful way of learning that brings moments of discovery and success.
Sports
The goal of sports-oriented early childhood education is to help the children discover the joy of movement and embrace an active lifestyle. At the sport-focused daycare centre, children regularly take part in guided and purposeful physical activities, while their motor skills are supported and developed in a broad and holistic way.
Swedish
Early childhood education in Swedish. In our fully Swedish-language daycare centres, only Swedish is spoken with the children by our professional and encouraging staff. All children are warmly welcome to learn “Svenska” Swedish, no prior language skills are required from the child or their guardians.
Are you looking for a daycare place for your child?
What is it like in kindergarten – what do you want to know about applying and starting at the daycare ? You can apply at any time by filling out our online form. You will then quickly receive a confirmation of your spot.
Let’s get in touch and chat for more. We’ll arrange you a personal visit and meeting at a Pilke daycare.
Applying daycare FAQs
We are often asked at what age a child can start daycare, whether a one-year-old can manage in daycare, or if a baby can adapt to daycare, and so on.
Research shows that high-quality early childhood education is beneficial for children. The youngest children in daycare are around 9 months old. Early childhood education can continue until the child starts preschool at about age 6.
Every child is unique, and family situations vary. That’s why there is no single correct answer to the question of when a child can start daycare.
However, many parents wonder when their child could start daycare at the earliest. If you’d like to discuss the right age for your child to start daycare or have any related questions, you can contact the manager of your local Pilke daycare center.
We’re happy to talk with you—parents’ questions or concerns about starting daycare are very familiar to us!
Yes, in Finland families can choose which daycare center they primarily want to apply to for their child.
When you choose private early childhood education such as Pilke, you will receive support for daycare fees. Depending on your municipality, you may receive either a service voucher or private day care allowance from Kela.
You can apply to a Pilke daycare at any time: How to apply for a daycare spot
- We recommend submitting your application as soon as you know you’ll need a spot. Sending the application is non-binding.
- If there is space available, we will confirm your child’s place for the desired start date as soon as possible.
- If your preferred daycare doesn’t currently have available spots, you can join the waiting list. Availability can change quickly, and when it does, we offer the newly available spots to families on the list.
When it’s time to apply for daycare, we recommend exploring the daycare centers in your area and getting to know their activities. You are always welcome to visit at Pilke daycare centre near you, book a visit here!
You can apply for a place at Pilke daycare any time!
Typically, families start looking for and applying to daycare about 4–10 months before the planned start of early childhood education.
However, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible. This helps us to ensure your child gets a place at your chosen daycare center and is able to start at a time that suits your family.
- You can contact the manager of your nearest or preferred Pilke daycare directly. You’ll find introductions and contact details for our daycare centers using the Pilke daycare map search.
- Submitting a daycare application is quick and easy, and it’s non-binding: Apply for early childhood education at a Pilke daycare here!
Your child can start at one of our daycare centers at the desired time, depending on availability. If there is availability, your child can start as soon as the next weekday.
If your preferred daycare doesn’t currently have available spots, you can join the waiting list. Availability can change quickly, and when it does, we offer the newly available spots to families on the list.
If there is availability, your child can start at any time you wish – even as soon as the next working day.
- You can also contact the manager of your nearest or preferred Pilke daycare directly. You’ll find introductions and contact details for our daycare centers using the Pilke daycare map search.
- Submitting a daycare application is quick and easy, and it’s non-binding: Apply for early childhood education at a Pilke daycare here!
If your preferred daycare doesn’t currently have available spots, you can join the waiting list. Availability can change quickly, and when it does, we offer the newly available spots to families on the list.
You apply by filling in a form, please fill in and send us the application form here.
Every Pilke daycare centre has its own page. There you will find more detailed information on how to apply.
You can fill in the application form quickly and easily online in just a few minutes. No attachments are required! Let us know:
- information about the child
- contact details
- names and contact details of the guardian(s)
- care needs (full-time, part-time, pre-school, other)
- preferred starting date
- additional information (allergies and other additional wishes and concerns).
You will receive an email confirmation after sending your application. The manager will contact you within 2 working days.
Sending your application is not binding. If you decide to accept our offer, we will provide a separate daycare service contract.
Read for more:
- Before you decide to apply, you can find out more about Pilke daycares in your area and their activities by using the map search on our website.
- Contact us, ask for more, book a personal visit.
- Tips for families when applying for daycare place first time.