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Apply for daycare Home in Nature daycare centre Sotkankoto
After the private care support, the client fee is a maximum of 490 € / month, depending on the care times and the child’s age.
Inquire about sister discount from the daycare manager. We also have free 4-hour early childhood education for 5-year-olds.
Please fill Pilke’s daycare application form.
You can apply at any time, and you can get started quickly!
Fill in and submit the application form. No attachments are required and the application is not yet binding. You can also queue your application for a day care.
You will be contacted within 2 working days and we will agree on how to proceed.
Daisy is our communication and information channel between home and daycare. We use Daisy to communicate, for example, about events and news from the daycare.
Families use Daisy to send us information such as childcare bookings and absence notifications.
“At Home in Nature” Daycare in Viikki, close to nature
At Sotkankoto daycare, 40 children with their families, six educators, and a pre-school assistant share a nature-oriented way of life. We provide high-quality, child-centered early childhood education and pre-primary instruction in a homely environment for children aged 0–6 years.
When our pre-school was established in 1999, it gave rise to the nationwide “At Home in Nature” initiative in collaboration with Suomen Latu ry, which has been actively promoted through ongoing cooperation ever since.
Outdoor life throughout the year
“At Home in Nature” emphasizes outdoor life in all seasons, regardless of the weather. Activities focus on play, movement in nature, unhurried togetherness, and collaborative experiences. Our approach is based on the view of each child as a unique, playful, and active individual. Children’s participation and sustainable living are guiding values reflected in daily activities.
In addition to Helsinki’s early childhood education curriculum, the daycare incorporates elements of Steiner pedagogy, such as seasonal celebrations and child-centered approaches.
Our daycare director, Johanna Saunamäki, explains in our article and TV interview (in Finnish) how the effects of nature are visible in children’s well-being in her daily work:
“I believe that nature strengthens children’s immune systems, and forest excursions, climbing, and varied uneven terrain are very beneficial for children’s motor skills.”
00790 HELSINKI Suomi
As part of our At Home in Nature activities, we promise to:
- spend unhurried time outdoors, come rain or shine,
- engage in outdoor activities several hours a day,
- make trips to close by nature at least three times a week,
- use primarily natural playthings,
- enable long-term play and versatile exercise for the children every day,
- ensure that an adult is always available and that everyone is appreciated as a unique individual,
- cherish the values of a sustainable lifestyle.
You are warmly welcome to join our community!
Staying warm in a Lapp hut
Daycare centre Sotkankoto is located in the midst of a forested field scenery in the Helsinki district of Viikki. In our hilly yard, we often have a breakfast by the campfire, and in the winter, we keep ourselves warm in our Lapp hut. Following the seasonal cycle, we play in the mud, go sled sliding, explore nooks and corners, do yard chores and cut firewood.
A close relationship with nature
We reserve three mornings for forest trips every week. Regular visits to the children’s domain in Rocky Forest, Squirrel Woods, Dragonfly Rocks and Manure Hill provide exhilaratingly diverse environments for play and other outdoor activities. Our relationship with nature deepens in the children’s favourite places that are full of good memories. First we run, then tiptoe and finally gallop freely across the fields like horses!
Organic vegetarian foods and free play
Depending on the age group, our self-made organic vegetarian meals are enjoyed indoors, in the warmth of our Lapp hut or outdoors when the weather allows. Free play is paced by daily instructed group games, story times and singalongs.
At Sotkankoto, the children’s participation is connected to everyday activities, such as cutting vegetables, baking and other small chores. Small group activities and artistic work based on the children’s age enrich their world of experiences.
Small group activities pace our daily transitions and actions in a familial atmosphere where everyone is accepted and allowed to participate – an atmosphere that facilitates our educators’ goal-oriented work to support the development of each and every child.
Close cooperation with parents
Our cooperation with parents is based on daily meetings, open partnership, parents’ evenings and communal celebrations and events. We also house a registered parents’ association that provides everyone with the opportunity to contribute to the common good of Sotkankoto’s children and families.
Pioneer in nature education and international collaboration
The nature pedagogy at our daycare is recognized internationally. Visitors come from all over the world to learn from us, seeking guidance on nature-based education, compassionate interaction, and respectful communication. Our collaboration with Nagano University has continued for several years. Our daycare is also involved in an international Erasmus project, in which our staff provide training in nature education abroad.
Our customers have rated us
At Pilke, we are driven by heart. Discover our values!
We believe that being driven by the heart is a force that can change the world. That’s why we approach every situation with a warm heart, creating a safe and welcoming environment around us.
We live the Heart Culture in our relationships with children, parents, and colleagues. We are pioneers in our field and continuously develop early childhood education & care and our own ways of working.
We create an environment of playfulness. We have fun and laugh together. We find moments of joy in the smallest things, and we have a twinkle in our eye because we know play is good for everyone.
We are lifelong learners and dare to dream big. We are driven, embrace collaboration, and uplift one another in every situation as we move toward our shared goals.
Learn more about Pilke
Visit our daycare centre to learn more!
Please contact and visit us to take a peek at the facilities and see the daily routine and activities at the daycare centre; We will get to know each other, answer your questions, and explain how to apply for and start daycare.
Or you can always send the Pilke application form. We will get back to you in 2 days, and arrange a tour!
Care and education, hand in hand
At Pilke, we understand that for children to enjoy learning, it has to become a part of life.
We are driven by heart. We want to see children develop their knowledge and skills, but most importantly, they develop into empathetic people with a heart for the world.
Please find for more information about our daycare centres and early childhood education and care!
FAQ
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.
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. We 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:
- Information and tips for families when applying for daycare place first time.
- 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 and ask for more about our kindergartens etc.
- Book a personal visit to a Pilke daycare centre
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!
Yes, you can apply to both. Submitting a Pilke daycare application is non-binding, an official service agreement will be made separately later.
Applying to Pilke daycare centre is possible anytime during the year. We will promptly confirm the chosen daycare center for your child, and the starting date that suits your family. That's easy and smooth start for kindergarten, and there's no need to wait other decisions.
It’s a good idea to visit a few daycare centers before making your final decision.
You’re always welcome to visit us! Just contact us to book a visit or contact the daycare manager directly to arrange a tour for you and your child.
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.
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!
In our experience, yes.
Every child is unique, and their way of adapting to daycare varies. Most children do adapt well to daycare routines, but the pace and process can differ from one child to another.
At Pilke, we support each child individually during the transition. We work closely with families to ensure that the start of daycare is as smooth and reassuring as possible. Familiarization visits, gentle starts, and open communication between parents and staff help children feel safe and gradually get used to the new environment.
We know that starting daycare is something many families think about. Based on our experience, there are many ways to make the start of daycare easier for both the child and the family. We’ve gathered helpful information and tips for families on this page about starting daycare.
Here are a few practical tips to help make your child’s transition into early childhood education as smooth and positive as possible:
- Keep early childhood education hours regular.
- Maintain a clear daily routine.
- Say goodbye briefly and clearly when dropping your child off.
- Approach daycare with a positive attitude as a family.
- Curiosity and questions are always welcome—feel free to contact us directly to your chosen daycare or send us a message!
At the daycare, breakfast, lunch, and a snack are offered. At Pilke daycares, we provide children with domestic, healthy, and tasty food that is diverse and easy to eat, designed specifically with children’s tastes and textures in mind.
Each of our daycares has a daycare assistant responsible for warming the food and serving other items according to the menu.
During holiday periods, there are fewer children in daycare, as many families are on vacation and children stay at home. For this reason, some of our daycare centers are closed while others remain open.
The open daycare centers operate as on-duty centers, providing care for all children from Pilke daycare centers in the area who need early childhood education.
These on-duty centers are staffed by Pilke’s own early childhood educators from various daycare centers in the same region.
We inform families well in advance about holiday opening hours and which Pilke daycare centers in the area will be open.
Example of the daily routine at daycare
6–7
Daycare centre doors open. Welcome! We start the day with a hug and have a chat. Then we gradually start to play.
8–8.30
Breakfast
8.30–11
Small group activities indoors and outdoors.
n. 11.15
Lunch, followed by a rest. Some of the children sleep or rest while the others go outside. After the rest, it’s time for quiet play and activities.
n. 14.00
Snack
14.30
Play, small group activities and outdoor activities.
17–18
The daycare centre doors close. Thank you for today and see you tomorrow!
Welcome to our daycare center!
You can fill out a daycare application at any time. The application is not binding. We will contact you within 2 working days.
Apply for Pilke daycare!Erasmus+ projekti riskialttiin leikin hyödyistä luonto- ja metsäpäiväkodeissa
Apu: Tässä helsinkiläisessä päiväkodissa mennään luontoon, satoi tai paistoi – ”Lapset ovat metsässä paljon rauhallisempia"
Päiväkodin ympäristökasvatus syventää luontosuhdetta ja tukee hyvinvointia
Would you like to apply for a daycare place?
You can fill out an application quickly and easily online, and applications are not binding. You can also apply to be put on a waiting list for a daycare centre. We will contact you within 2 working days and agree on what to do next.
Manager Johanna Saunamäki
I will be happy to answer any questions regarding our daycare centre; introduction visits, availability, applications, customer agreements and their amendments, invoicing, customer feedback, and so on.
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