The nursery group
The nursery group is for children aged 1.5 to 3 years. In this group, children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development is supported. The environment is designed to promote the overall development of the child.
The focus in the nursery group is on play and the acquisition of new skills through daily activities. In addition to developing play skills, children’s self-awareness and social skills are nurtured, following the kindergarten curriculum. A key part of each day is the morning circle, where children talk about the day ahead, play finger games, recite rhymes, practice being together, and learn how to listen. The group has activity centers where playful learning takes place.
To share daily activities, track development, and communicate important information to parents, we use the Kindiedays information system. Children in the nursery group also participate in musical activities once a week, as well as physical activities either outdoors or in a hall
The nursery group is open from 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM.
MONTESSORi
At Väike Päike Tartu’s Montessori group, children aged 3-6 come together. Like little scientists, they learn, explore, and discover the world by choosing their own paths. In an environment prepared according to the needs and interests of the children, guided work cycles take place. The children themselves maintain the group environment. Subtle guidance and new activities are provided by AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certified guide, Meeli Verlinden.
Since January 2021, Meeli has been working at the Little Scientists’ House, the first Montessori group in Tartu. From the autumn of 2024, the little scientists will join Väike Päike kindergarten, and a new building will open on Õpetaja Street, where the rhythm is shaped by the children themselves.
WALDORFi
In our kindergarten group, children aged 3-7 years old are brought together. This mixed-age group supports the child’s holistic development, fostering collaboration and empathy. A group of children of different ages is beneficial as learning happens naturally—young children imitate the older ones, and older children imitate the teachers. The younger children are inspired by the older ones’ play, while the older children gain a deeper understanding of their abilities and see how capable they are compared to the younger ones.
Our weekly rhythm flows as follows: on Mondays, we paint; on Tuesdays, we sculpt; on Wednesdays, we hike and create chalk drawings; on Thursdays, we engage in crafting; and on Fridays, we bake. Additionally, the children go on musical journeys with a music teacher and participate in movement classes with a physical education teacher. The daily rhythm alternates between active and calm activities.
The pedagogical team in the kindergarten group includes, in addition to the previously mentioned specialists, two qualified preschool teachers and one assistant teacher with childcare certification. The children also receive support from a speech therapist.
In our kindergarten group, we follow the national curriculum as well as the Väike Päike kindergarten curriculum, along with an additional curriculum designed specifically for the Waldorf group. The learning activities are integrated into a meaningful whole, with subjects interconnected and presented to the child in an understandable and experiential way.
