Science-oriented daycare centre Pilke Kipinä opened in Piispanristi, Kaarina, in January 2018

Daycare centre Kipinä opened on Nurminiitynkatu Street in Piispanristi in January 2018. We have 96 daycare places for children aged 0–5 years, and we also provide evening care (until 10 pm) for children who require it. 

Kipinä is a science-oriented daycare centre. The science-orientation has been recorded in the daycare centre’s early childhood education and care curriculum, and it is implemented in various ways in the daycare centre’s everyday operation. For example, the play facilities have been designed in a way that motivates and encourages exploration and experimentation. The daycare centre is also equipped with a scientific play space where the young professors can conduct their studies with pipettes, loupes, test tubes and magnifying glasses among other fascinating instruments. At the science-oriented daycare centre, we find it important that the children learn to discover and explore and are provided with experiences of success – without forgetting the significance of play. The activities are planned taking account of the children’s ages, interests and safe courses of action. We emphasise wondering and exploring phenomena together with the children.

We naturally reserve time for other versatile activities, such as singing, trips, drama, handicraft and painting, not to forget sufficient daily rest. Everyday pedagogy is part of every moment of the daycare centre’s operation. It is present in pausing to wonder things together; counting peas in the salad bowl or experimenting with colours when painting. We value each unhurried moment we get to spend conversating, playing or just being silly while exploring the world together.