Toddlers

We have two schools where we run a toddler group.

Our city centre school on Dunckerinkatu runs a toddler group (two morning sessions a week, each session lasting 2hrs and 45mins).

Also our Niittykumpu school runs a full-time toddler group.

A two-year-old is an exciting bundle of energy eager to learn, and soaks up new experiences like a sponge. They are almost ready to step out and do things for themselves, whilst at the same time still needing the security only a caring adult and a safe environment can provide. For this reason our Toddler rooms are separate from the main school, giving the under threes the confidence they need to explore their surroundings.

A two-year-old is very different to a three-year-old and they have specific requirements for their stage of development (having said that, it should be remembered that all children are individuals and their rates of development will vary, according to their experiences and needs). For this reason, our toddler group is not just a simpler version of our pre-school, but rather a ’play and learn’ environment aimed directly at 2 - 3 year olds, providing them with developmentally appropriate learning experiences and opportunities.

The toddler group is small, with only six to ten children, and two key workers who are responsible for the environment and the safety of the children. We provide a bright, cheerful, friendly atmosphere, where the main goals are for the teachers to build relationships with the children making them feel safe and happy, and to provide the right environment. The room is set out in a way that encourages the children to engage in all the activities that are provided (i.e. everything is easily accessible and interesting enough to excite a child’s natural curiosity). The Toddler room is split into several different areas: Painting and craft, building and construction, carpet and book area, floor toys, games and puzzles, home play area, soft toys and puppets, drawing table etc. The children are free to make choices and decisions as to what and who to play with, while the teacher will encourage, observe and work with the children, providing the materials and some specific activities such as finger painting. All of these things will encourage children to test and practise skills, to have experiences that will aid their understanding of the world, explore their boundaries and limitations, and to discover the wonderful possibilities in what they can do.

Toddler daily schedule- example (In Toolo / Dunckerinkatu school)

9.00

Toddlers arrive.

9.15

Toddler circle-time - sing and clap names, sing songs, discussion of what to do today.

9.30

Start Activities - painting, drawing, clay-work, playing games etc (children choose their own activities).

10.15

Snack Time - children sit together to eat snack which consists of wheat crackers, sandwiches, cheese, fruit/vegetables and juice/milk.

10.30

Quiet games or puzzles on carpet area - children choose their own activities, playing with their peers and/or a teacher.

11.00

They go into the big room for gym activities and games - music and movement, circle games and songs (music sessions will include using simple instruments to help develop rhythm, and to encourage listening to different kinds of music).

11.30

Back to the Toddler room for story time and to finish with a few finger or nursery rhymes.

11.50

Going home time.