Integrated groups in pre-primary education

Integrated preschool groups are available in all school districts. An integrated preschool group consists of six children receiving special or intensive support and ten peers, for a total of 16 preschoolers. General support is also provided according to the children's needs.

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

Support provided in the group

The group has two early childhood education teachers, one childcare worker, and an assistant if needed. In addition, the group's staff works closely with the early childhood education special education teacher, or VE, and the school's special education teacher. The group offers more support than other preschool groups. The preschool staff also works closely with student welfare professionals, i.e., the school psychologist and school counselor.

Children receiving special or intensive support may have a variety of support needs, which may relate to learning, language skills, behavior, motor skills, hearing, or vision, for example. Children are selected for the group based on their growth and learning path, i.e., their place of residence and 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 in the premises of the child's future school. During the preschool year, the staff discusses with the guardians which school the child will attend.