FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about INTO SCHOOL
- johannes436
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
Looking for answers about INTO SCHOOL? Our FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About INTO SCHOOL section covers everything you need to know! Learn about our educational programs, enrollment process, curriculum and how we support our small learners in their learning journey.
Whether you're a parent, student, or educator, find quick and clear answers to your most common questions. Explore our FAQ to get the details you need about INTO SCHOOL and how we can help shape a brighter future for learners!
What does bilingual learning look like day to day at INTO SCHOOL?
INTO SCHOOL offers a bilingual program for all children. The goal is to provide a learning environment in which both Finnish and English are spoken with the children on a regular basis, promoting a balanced bilingual atmosphere for all children, with at least one educator of each language per group.
Our educators are teaching in the different languages so for example both the Finnish and English language speaker will help children develop their vocabulary, comprehension and speech at circle time, during transitions, outside in the yard, through art projects and all while using pictograms as needed to support their language growth. There can also be instances whereby an educator is using both languages throughout the day, focusing for example at the morning music circle on building English vocabulary and only using English words while in the afternoon for example the theme is understanding and expressing emotions and the educator is speaking predominantly in Finnish during this learning period.
What size groups do you have and how many children and adults in each?
Our different group sizes are based on different ages and group dynamics and are in compliance of ratios of adults to children according to local laws and regulations. For example, in our group for children under 3 years old, we can have a maximum of 12 children for 3 adult educators, and in our groups of 3-6 year olds, we have a max of 14 children per 2 adults or 21 children per 3 adults depending on the group. Regardless of ultimate size of groups, our educators often will break down the larger groups into small groups as we practice small group work on a regular basis, meaning one educator might take a handful to the music room to practice making some rhythms while another will take a few to the toilet and the third might be helping another small group get dressed and ready for outside time.
What are your opening hours during the year, holidays and so on?
We are open most all year long however we do follow the national system for public holiday closures. For example Independence Day (always on the 6th December) and Helatorstai (changes annually) are days we are closed. From July 1-31, we are closed as most places are in the Finnish summertime, but it is important also for our staff to have a much-deserved break before we reopen on the first week of August each year.
We also honor our hard-working staff by remaining closed between the Christmas holiday and when we return at the beginning of the the New Year, in early January, so there is extra time to refresh the batteries before the start of the new year as well.
Do you do outdoor trips and where and how often?
Yes, we are lucky to have nature at our fingertips in both our locations so we are able to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings, while venturing out of our own back yard to the nearby forest areas and beaches at least once a week with our INTO FOREST program, but also on longer day or half-day trips to some cultural site location, museum, exhibit, etc. We take advantage of the nature trails close to the Hertsi shopping center and the forest and beach areas in our Lauttasaari location. For longer day trips, we may hire a chartered bus or take public transportation and venture a bit further away depending on the theme of the excursion. One such themed trip last year was to Suomenlinna for a treasure hunt and exploring the outlying areas by the sea with our older children.
What is the background and education and experience of your team? Is there a lot of change?
Thanks to the wonderfully talented and culturally-rich team of early childhood educators at both our playschools, we are able to provide an incredibly dynamic and international environment for our INTO SCHOOL children who come to us from all over the world. Our staff have been educated in Finland and/or abroad in the field of early childhood education and bring with them a diverse array of experiences and languages and practices that help to enrich our daily programming. Though we strive to maintain continuity of care all throughout the year, sometimes families and personal lives change and sometimes we need to bid farewell to a beloved educator though luckily we are able to welcome an equally wonderful replacement when the need arises.
When staff get ill and are out, we call in our steadfast and loyal subs who are known to the children and are part of our reliable network of extra help. We also have members of the concept team involved in groups throughout the months who also step in when need be.
Where does the daily food come from and what is offered? What happens when a child does not want to eat?
Our breakfast, daily lunch and afternoon snacks are catered by Feelia. According to national standards and city guidelines, we aim to provide a healthy variety of foods to meet the daily dietary requirements of the children and offer vegetarian, pescatarian fare primarily, with the choice of a meat offering as well. This is in addition to wholesome breakfasts and snacks of fruits and veggies and breads and yogurts and occasionally porridges as well, which we provide and prepare in house. We never force a child to eat but continue to encourage those to at least try the food. We also take into consideration dietary restrictions such as allergies and appreciate the cooperation with families.
What is the STEAMS approach and how is it incorporated into the daily rhythm along with the emphasis of Music at INTO SCHOOL?
As part of our INTO SCHOOL pedagogical practices, we incorporate the STEAMS approach to the daily curriculum: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Sports in addition to our emphasis on fostering creativity through music creation and self-expression through music overall. For example with our Disco Fridays and our project work using different methods and creative means, the children have a chance to experiment and learn through various modes of self-expression on a regular basis.
Is it possible to enroll part-time?
Yes, though the majority of our families choose the 5 day full time option. Occasionally some families will only need the 4 day option and so this is one of the care options we offer for families who choose INTO SCHOOL.
