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Apply for daycare Home in Nature daycare centre Uikunkoto
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” – a daycare close to nature in Viikki
“At Home in Nature” Daycare Uikunkoto was established in 2013 in Viikki, Helsinki. Uikunkoto’s cozy daily life is shared by just 28 children, 4–5 educators, and a daycare assistant.
Our indoor facilities are conveniently located with good transport connections, right next to the open fields of Viikki. The spaces radiate warmth, creating a comfortable environment for children. Homeliness and a connection to nature are emphasized through wooden furniture and toys, as well as fabrics and silks, all contributing to our playful and warm everyday life. Our neighboring daycare is Luonnossa kotonaan Sotkankoto, with which we maintain close collaboration.
At Home in Nature, we enjoy outdoor life in all weather, throughout the year. Our daycare director, Johanna Saunamäki, explains in our article and this 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.”
Vegetarian, organic meals
Our kitchen prepares daily vegetarian organic meals, and children are also involved in the cooking process. This way, meals are created with contributions from both small and large hands. The high quality of our food is reflected in our “Steps to Organic” rating, at the highest star level.
00790 HELSINKI Suomi
In Our At Home in Nature Approach, We Promise To:
- Spend unhurried time outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Be outside for several hours every day.
- Go on excursions to nearby nature at least three times a week.
- Find play materials primarily from nature.
- Enable long-lasting play and diverse movement opportunities every day.
- Have adults stay close to children while respecting their uniqueness.
- Uphold the values of a sustainable lifestyle.
We warmly welcome you to be a part of it all!
The Yard Provides a Setting for Creative Play
Our daycare yard is located a short distance from our indoor facilities. A sandy path, starting between the Agricultural Museum and the fields, leads to the yard, where the approaching presence of nature can already be felt from the road’s end. The yard provides a setting for creative play, building projects, tending the vegetable garden, chopping wood, and gathering around a campfire. On cold winter mornings, a small snack is served inside the shelter of the hut, warmed by the stove.
A Close Connection to Nature
Three times a week, our eager expedition sets off for the nearby nature areas of Viikki, where the diverse Arboretum of the University of Helsinki offers a wonderful setting. There, we find our home forest, the enchanting Fairytale Valley. Its large boulders, fallen trees, and the huts we have built invite children into imaginative play, curiosity, and movement. In winter, the fields of Viikki transform into a place for skiing and sledding, where we can also marvel year-round at the wide variety of animals that inhabit and pass through the area.
Story Circles and Painting
In addition to outdoor life, our indoor activities complement our nature-based experiences. On home days, we bake, paint, and play indoors after our morning outdoor time. Three times a week, we gather in a story circle to listen to folk tales, and daily singing moments help guide our transitions.
The Rhythm of the Year Shapes Our Daily Life
The cycle of the year, along with its celebrations, provides a natural rhythm to our daily life. We live from festival to festival—anticipating, preparing, celebrating, and then winding down from each occasion. Nature’s events and traditions give deep meaning to our celebrations.
Every Day at Daycare is Unique
As educators, we are fellow travelers with the children of Uikunkoto—guides in life and enablers of rich experiences. Our goal is to truly connect with each child, support their curiosity about the world, and share experiences together. Each daycare day is a unique opportunity for creative interaction, where the day's content unfolds naturally rather than being predetermined. Parents are also an integral part of the Uikunkoto family through open and active collaboration.
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 day-care 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 day-care centre; We will get to know each other, answer your questions, and explain how to apply for and start day-care.
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. 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.
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.
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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 day-care centre; introduction visits, availability, applications, customer agreements and their amendments, invoicing, customer feedback, and so on.
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