In the year preceding the start of compulsory education, the child’s guardian ensures that the child participates in a one-year pre-primary education programme or other activities that meet the goals of pre-primary education. Pre-primary education is part of the child’s overall growth and learning, creating the foundation for lifelong learning.
In Vaasa pre-primary education is provided in daycare centres. Children receive pre-primary education for four hours a day.
Pre-primary education is comprehensive, goal-oriented and pedagogically planned instruction that supports the child’s growth, learning and wellbeing. Children are offered play-based, varied and goal-oriented teaching in pre-primary education that supports their readiness to learn, social skills, wellbeing and broad competence. Pre-primary education builds the bridge from Early Childhood Education and Care to basic education.
The purpose of pre-primary education is
- to promote the child’s balanced growth, development and learning
- to strengthen the conditions for learning and a positive self-image as a learner
- to support social and emotional development
to provide equal opportunities for learning for all children.
Pre-primary education in non-standard hours ECEC
The pre-primary education placement for a child in need of non-standard hours ECEC is Punahilkka Daycare.
Pre-primary education is implemented in accordance with the pre-primary education curriculum:
- mainly in fixed peer groups
- partly in combined groups and as individual instruction
Pre-primary education is arranged on weekdays. There is no pre-primary education at weekends.
The Early Childhood Education and Care management system automatically reduces the Early Childhood Education and Care fee by the four-hour daily portion of pre-primary education.