Integrated groups in pre-primary education

There are integrated preschool groups in all school districts. An integrated preschool group has a total of 16 preschoolers.

The activities of all preschool groups, including integrated ones, are based on the national preschool curriculum guidelines, the City of Tampere’s preschool curriculum, and other city-specific policies regarding the organization of support.

Support provided in the group

The group is staffed by two early childhood education teachers, one childcare worker, and an assistant as needed. In addition, the group’s staff works closely with the early childhood special education teacher (veo) and the school’s special education teacher. More support is available in this group than in other preschool groups. The preschool staff also collaborates with student welfare professionals, namely the school psychologist and the school counselor.

The support needs of children receiving support can vary widely; they may relate to, for example, learning, language skills, behavior, motor skills, hearing, or vision. Children are selected for the group based on their growth and learning path—that is, based on their place of residence and their support needs.

Continuity from early childhood education to preschool and then to basic education

We strive to plan the child’s growth and learning path as a continuum in the child’s best interests, taking into account both the support the child has previously received and the support needs assessed for the next stage. The integrated preschool group is not always located in the preschool unit closest to the child’s home or on the premises of the child’s future school. During the preschool year, the staff discusses with the guardians which school the child will attend.