Welcome to Norlandia Stepping Stones Preschool!
Preschool registration for six-year-old children begins in January. Please register for pre-primary education online through the City of Espoo’s website and also complete an application on the Norlandia Päiväkodit website. You can find both links below.
Norlandia Stepping Stones Preschool
The preschool year is an exciting and important step in your child’s learning journey. At Norlandia, your child can take this next step in a familiar and caring environment, surrounded by adults they already know and trust. This helps make the transition to school feel smooth, safe and comfortable.
Our preschool programme is mainly taught in English. Every day, we explore new skills, build confidence and learn how to play, learn and work together with others.
Why Choose Norlandia for Preschool?
At Norlandia, every child has the opportunity to grow and learn at their own pace. A familiar environment and trusted adults provide a safe and supportive foundation for new learning experiences. Learning through play encourages curiosity, builds confidence and helps children develop essential skills.
Throughout the preschool year, children also practise making friends, working together in groups and becoming more independent. We believe that working closely with families and schools is important. Regular communication and shared practices help make the transition to school as smooth as possible.
We also offer flexibility for families, with the option to combine preschool with early childhood education and care before and after preschool hours.
What Do Children Learn in Preschool?
Our preschool programme follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Pre-primary Education. We place special emphasis on language and communication skills, giving children plenty of opportunities to practise listening, having conversations, telling stories and expressing their thoughts and opinions.
Early maths skills are introduced naturally through everyday activities, such as counting, comparing and solving problems together.
Exploring nature and the world around us is an important part of everyday preschool life. Children are encouraged to investigate, experiment and make discoveries while learning to care for the environment.
Daily physical activities help develop movement and coordination skills, while arts and crafts encourage creativity and self-expression. Music and themed activities bring joy and variety to each day.
Children also practise important skills that prepare them for school, such as concentrating, completing tasks and working together with others.
A Typical Day at Preschool
A typical preschool day begins at 8:30 a.m., when children gather in small groups. Throughout the morning, they enjoy a mix of learning, play and guided activities.
Preschool lasts approximately four hours, for example from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afterwards, children enjoy lunch and some quiet time.
Families can also choose to have their children stay for afternoon early childhood education and care, which includes play, physical activities, outdoor time and small-group activities.
Daily schedules may vary slightly between Norlandia centres, so please contact your own centre for more detailed information.
Working Together with Families and Schools
We believe that close cooperation with families is an important part of supporting every child's learning and development.
Throughout the preschool year, we stay in regular contact with parents and guardians, share updates about everyday activities and arrange meetings to discuss each child's progress and well-being.
We also work closely with local schools to help children feel confident and ready for the next step in their learning journey. Together, we plan a smooth transition and make sure children have opportunities to become familiar with their future school environment before starting school.
Individual Learning and Support
Every child is unique, with their own strengths, interests and ways of learning. At Norlandia, we recognise and celebrate these differences, making sure each child feels seen, heard and valued.
We regularly follow each child's well-being and learning progress, providing additional support whenever needed. Our small-group activities allow us to give children individual attention and support their development in a caring and encouraging environment.
Everyday Life and Practical Information
At Norlandia, children enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal every day. We spend time outdoors daily, whatever the weather, and provide a safe, welcoming and inspiring environment for learning and play.
Our qualified and caring staff look after children's well-being and safety throughout the day.
We also offer early childhood education and care before and after preschool hours, giving families more flexibility and helping make everyday routines easier.