Reduced-size child group in pre-primary education classes

Reduced-size child group in pre-primary education

Reduced-size child groups are available in all school districts. Each group consists of 16 children in total.

The activities of all pre-primary education groups, including reduced-size groups, are based on the national core curriculum for pre-primary education, the City of Tampere’s curriculum for pre-primary education, and other city-specific guidelines regarding the provision of support.

Support provided in the group

The group is staffed by two teachers in early childhood education and care – or a teacher in early childhood education 

and care and a special educational needs teacher ECEC – one childcarer in early childhood education and care, and an assistant if needed. If the group’s staff does not include special educational needs teacher ECEC, the group’s staff works closely with the special educational needs teacher ECEC and the special educational needs teacher in comprehensive education. In Finnish a special educational needs teacher ECEC is also known as VEO (shortened from varhaiskasvatuksen erityisopettaja).

The group offers more support than other pre-primary education groups. The pre-primary staff also collaborates with student welfare professionals – namely, the school psychologist and the school social worker.

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

A continuum from early childhood education and care to pre-primary education and on to comprehensive education

We strive to plan a child’s path of growth and learning as a continuum that serves the child’s best interests, taking into account both the support the child has previously received and the assessed need for support in the next phase. A reduced-size child group is not always located at the pre-primary education unit closest to the child’s home or on the grounds of the child’s future school. During the pre-primary education year, the staff discusses with the guardians which school the child will attend.