Pilke Väläys is a science-oriented daycare centre in Saaristokaupunki, Kuopio

Pilke’s science-oriented daycare centre Väläys opened on Retiisikatu Street in the Kuopio district of Saaristokaupunki in August 2017. The daycare centre has 96 places for children aged 0–5 years. 

The science-orientation has been recorded in the unit’s pedagogical plan, and it is implemented in various ways in the daycare centre’s everyday operation. The daycare centre provides the children with opportunities to familiarise themselves with extensive, in-depth exploration of various branches of science. The surrounding nature inspires and enables thorough examination and analysis of the environment through regular trips, for example. The daycare centre’s learning environments 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 scientists can conduct their studies with pipettes, loupes, test tubes, magnifying glasses, microscopes and a light pad.

At the science-oriented daycare centre, we find it important that the children learn to discover and explore, and that our activities provide them with experiences of success. We take account of the children’s interests when planning our activities. We treat the children as active individuals, and we encourage them to participate in influencing the daycare centre’s everyday operation. Wondering and exploring phenomena together with the children is one of our central emphases. We encourage the children to acquire knowledge and to think and act independently. The adults’ role is to act as reliable early childhood educators who listen to the children, encourage them and support their growth and development. Our most important everyday operation methods include small group activities, child observation and project learning.