Kotka Lasteaed (Eagle Kindergarten) is a new kindergarten in Alliku village, Saue municipality.

 

The kindergarten is designed for 8 groups, of which 6 are for 24 children and 2 small groups for children with developmental or pervasive developmental disorders. So far we have 3 regular groups and 2 groups for children in need of special support (developmental groups).

Kotka Kindergarten is named after its location on Kotka road (Eagle road). 

Eagle is a very special bird and a strong symbol in the mythology of different nations. He is the king of birds that flies the highest, sees the farthest and very sharply. Eagle is a sacred bird and the ruler of the heavenly world. In Nordic stories, the eagle is the great creator who laid the world egg.

 

Based on the symbol of the eagle, it is important to care for ourselves, for the people around us and the nature. In Kotka kindergarten, we want to be honest, brave, creative, accepting and an example to others.

 

In our imagination, the team of Kotka Kindergarten (for us, the team is the entire kindergarten - employees, children, parents), works like an orchestra or a rehearsed drama or dance troupe. There is no first violin or superstar in our orchestra. By supporting each other, we offer support and the best opportunities for the children attending our kindergarten.

Giving sense to the skills of the 21st century, we ourselves as a team are an example to children in the development of these skills.

One of our principles is that the kindergarten path is not a sprint, where you need to do a lot of things very quickly (although sometimes it can be like that for some children), but we think that the first years in children's lives are special.

To do this, you need to take time together - to enjoy, deepen and commit.

 

Principles of learning and education

In Kotka Kindergarten, learning, discovery and skill acquisition take place through daily activities and learning projects. Projects start with children's questions and continue as long as the children's interest remains. Our principle is that everything a child is capable of, they do themselves.

When we do something, we take our time - we avoid rushing as much as possible.

 

The entire Kotka Kindergarten (children, teachers and parents) together create a free environment that supports playfulness, cooperation, creativity and acceptance.

The children of Kotka Kindergarten set their own goals, plan their learning and participate in managing the kindergarten, with support they learn to manage themselves and be aware of their own actions.

In Kotka Kindergarten, time is given to be bored, feel, think, ask and search for answers, experiment, invent, create connections.

We give sense to what we do - based on our common understandings, we all design a constantly changing space that supports playfulness, challenges, experimentation and making mistakes, storytelling and fantasy.

 

What is important to us:

Children's questions and listening to them;

Implementation of the principles of inclusive education, which is expressed in the fact that every child is offered an educational arrangement that matches their interests, abilities and needs. Following the principles of inclusive education, everyone is involved in supporting the child's development - the child and the parties dealing with the child;

Values and Values Education, including the use of the "Bullying-free Kindergarten" methodology;

Formation of environmental awareness, nature conservation, sustainability;

STEAM (Integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and math into learning, including creative use of technology);

Professional development of staff is supported by trainings, learning mobility, international projects;

Familiarization with new methodologies, including innovations in digital technology, and integration into learning.

 

At Eagle Kindergarten, we also have a variety of paid activities for children. These take place once a week in the afternoon. These include a variety of music, art and sports activities.