What a view! You could host a party on this deck, and that's probably what will happen next spring. And what a lively it will be, because the occupants of the building are the best at spontaneous dance moves – the daycare centre children.
The wooden daycare centre was built nearly unnoticed in the maritime Kalasatama district and started operating at the beginning of February.
At the end of January, the daycare centre has not yet been officially opened. However, the children who are about to start their daycare journey and their guardians have come to familiarise themselves with the new premises and the daily life of the daycare centre.
Wood, light and good vibes
Early childhood education child minder Diago Amin is playing with Enni, 2.5 years. Enni’s mother Heidi is discussing Enni’s future care together with early childhood education teacher Jaana Nurhonen.
Enni hardly notices the end of the discussion, as she is focused on her activity. Enni's mother is very pleased with her daughter's daycare place.
– The discussion left me with very good vibes, she says.
– I told Jaana I was really relieved to see this place. I am impressed by the entire daycare centre.
The family live near the centre just a few minutes’ walk away.
– We've watched the building being built in the neighbourhood. I was positively surprised to see how great the facilities are from the inside, too. There are a lot of things for children, wonderful crafts facilities and even a climbing wall.
The family of Miio, aged one year and seven months, who is going to start part-time care, has also been impressed during their first visit.
– We live in the tower building in Kalasatama and have been able to monitor the completion of the daycare centre. Fortunately, we got Miio a place here, and the timing is perfect for us, Meri Mathlin says.
The family have also welcomed another child, three-week-old Nooa. Miio will be attending the daycare centre on a part-time basis so that the mother can sometimes focus solely on caring for the baby.
– This is a very beautiful daycare centre. A lot of wood has been used, and the facilities are very bright. I have had a chance to meet the other adults briefly, and we all thought that this is luxurious, Mathlin says.
Fruitful cooperation
In addition to the guardians, the daycare staff are also happy with the new premises.
Daycare Centre Manager Marina Primietta and Deputy Manager Noora Hukkanen take us on a tour that leaves the visitors nearly speechless. The impression is affected by the fact that everything from furniture to toys – some of which are still in packages – is new.
But that’s not all that is impressive about this building.
The use of wood mentioned by the guardians also gives creates a distinctive atmosphere in the space. Primietta also commends the acoustics, as the spaces have no echo. This is mostly thanks to the ceiling panels made from straw.
There is plenty of window surface, and the feeling of extra space is due to the ceiling height of two floors in some parts of the building.
Early childhood education teacher Leeni Rinne also considers the maritime but urban milieu a big plus.
– Everything being new also adds to my own comfort. We now have a better than average opportunity to guide the children in taking good care of the premises and brand-new goods.
She has enjoyed hearing the guardians’ relieved comments about finally having a large daycare centre in the neighbourhood and saying goodbye to long commutes with the children.
– We have a very good starting point for fruitful cooperation, because everyone is already in a positive mood.
Successful recruitments, more on the way
The building has its own side for Swedish-language daycare, and facilities for children in evening and round-the-clock care can be found downstairs. The daycare centre is open 24/7.
There will be ten regular daycare groups and four evening and round-the-clock care groups. There are also four Swedish-language groups. Not all groups will be starting in February, and some employees still need to be recruited.
The daycare centre manager is pleased with the diverse staff that have already started.
– Our recruitment has gone smoothly and been successful, Primietta smiles.
The employees' strengths and wishes will be utilised. The staff already includes a football coach, guitar player and a group of skilled craftspeople, and the children are in for meaningful activities.
The daycare centre manager has noticed that the new, functional building is clearly attractive to jobseekers.
Early childhood education is suffering from a chronic shortage of qualified personnel in the whole of Finland. Primietta says that some of the staff in Verkkosaari also lack qualifications. They can complete online studies alongside working. As an employer, the City encourages employees to study and organises apprenticeship training for early childhood education childminders and blended training for early childhood education teachers.
Plenty of room for experimentation
Primietta and Hukkanen say that the daycare centre in Verkkosaari emphasises positive pedagogy and doing things through joy.
– It is wonderful to see that as we are all starting here together, we all have the opportunity to create communal spirit and house rules from the outset. We have already discussed our values and what is important to us, Hukkanen says.
The daycare centre encourages open discussion and ideas. Because the centre is brand new, there is room for experimentation.
– No one can say that we have always done things this way and that we must continue to do so.
Primietta has previous experience with starting the operations of new daycare centres. The past experience will certainly be useful in launching Verkkosaari's activities – as well as her two grandchildren, thanks to whom she is in the know about current needs in terms of toy purchases.
In addition to toys, the daycare centre has large stacks of books that are going to be read avidly.
Strong family participation
During the tour we find out that the group spaces for child groups Laineet, Aallot, Tyrskyt and Purjeet (The Ripples, The Waves, The Surfs, and The Sails) are ready. More maritime-themed group names will soon be needed.
The daycare staff operate in pairs per group. The groups are not based on age, but on the children’s skill levels and interests. The family of the child will be closely involved in planning the programme for the child.
It looks like Miio is in urgent need of some activity in the small hall. He needs to swing and fast.
However, Miio's true skills seem to lie in ball games. He might be the top scorer for the future football games at the centre.
Original text in Finnish: Kirsi Riipinen