Founder’s Story
Our story begins with a child’s well-being and becomes a holistic, curiosity-led approach where psychological safety and multicultural respect come first.
My Story
LANA is more than a business. It’s the essence of my life’s journey—an approach where a deeply human vision meets practical, modern solutions.
A Love for Pedagogy & Many Cultures
I grew up in a kindergarten where my mother worked—my second home filled with warmth, play, and community. I once dreamed of becoming a doctor. That dream shaped my belief that prevention matters: education can harm self-esteem—or heal it. I chose to build the “medicine.” My university years gave me the unique experience of working in a cultural center, where I was surrounded by the music, dance, and traditions of diverse nationalities.
The Turning Point: Pain that Became Wisdom
My eldest son was reading in three languages at age four and entered a top academic school. We chased grades and competitions—until we saw the cost. Within a rigid, results-only system, he began to fade: conflicts, bullying, and lost motivation.
One day I found my strong, kind boy in tears. As a mother I felt his pain; as an educator I recognized the system’s flaw—it prepares for exams, not for life. We made the difficult decision to change school.
A New Kind of School & a New Idea
At an international IB school, education felt different—open, friendly, supportive. Our son blossomed again. I dived into global methodologies, falling in love with the humanism of Reggio Emilia and the structure of IB.
We traveled from Finland to Bali, visiting dozens of schools. For a while the ideas didn’t click—until a quiet pause in Bali with my daughter. In the jungle, by the river, every piece finally connected. From experience, pain, and love, the holistic concept of LANA was born.
Our Journey
From a Home-Based Daycare to an International Ecosystem
A small daycare in our home. No fancy methodology yet—just sincere love and an atmosphere where every child felt at home. This set our foundation: humanity and care above all.
We acquired an international kindergarten, entered the world of expat education, and began shaping a unique philosophy.
We launched our first bilingual kindergarten—local children learning in Estonian and English.
Years of learning and parenting formed The LANA Approach—an educational ecosystem uniting our projects under one banner of wholeness and quality. And this is only the beginning.