An experiment in two-year preschool education

Imatra is participating in a national two-year preschool experiment. The experiment starts in August 2021 and lasts until 2024.

Children born in 2016 will start the two-year preschool experiment in August 2021, and children born in 2017 in August 2022. Imatra is participating in the experiment for the entire age group.

Guardians of children born in 2017 will receive information and registration instructions by post in February-March.

The pre-school place is determined according to the child's official place of residence

At Imatra, the first year of the experiment will take place in kindergartens and in two groups of five-year-olds in the Mansikkala school center. The second year of pre-school education is organized in school centers in pre-school groups.

Two-year pre-school education is free of charge

The two-year preschool is planned and implemented in such a way that all children have the opportunity to get excited, experiment and learn new things. It is organized 4 hours a day, following the working and holiday hours of basic education.

In two-year preschool education, children are introduced to things that interest them by playing and exploring and in other ways suitable for children. The goal is that in pre-school education, opportunities for friendship, the joy of learning and new interests open up for children. The duration of two years gives children time to grow and learn at their own pace.

The experiment collects information on the effects of two-year preschool education on children's development and learning conditions, social skills and the formation of healthy self-esteem.

Information for guardians about the study of the two-year preschool experiment 

Supplementary early childhood education

If a child participates in supplementary early childhood education in addition to two years of preschool education, the early childhood education period is subject to a fee. Supplementary early childhood education is organized in the same place as preschool education.

Own curriculum with two-year preschool education

The Board of Education has published its own curriculum guidelines for pre-school education for a trial basis, on the basis of which Imatra has prepared its own curriculum for two-year pre-school education.

The Ministry of Education and Culture has sampled the municipalities and workplaces participating in the experiment.  Read more on the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture.