Learning Process
At TIKi, we have four small, carefully structured groups that ensure children receive the right balance of care, play, and learning for their age.
N: In line with our value of Respect for Uniqueness, our groups at LANA Tallinn are small and carefully structured to honor the developmental needs of each age. Group placement is based on the child’s age as of September 1st of the academic year, as well as developmental readiness.
Daycare Group
Ages 1.5–2 · Max 5 children
The Daycare Group is often a child’s first experience being away from a parent.Our focus is on gentle care, socialization, and helping children feel secure in a new environment.
Through independent and sensory play, children practice early motor skills, explore their creativity, and begin to develop language. Teachers also support early self-care routines and potty training.
The very small group size allows each child to receive close, personal attention and form strong bonds with the teacher.
Nursery Group
Ages 2–3 · Max 10 children
For many children, the Nursery Group is their very first experience of kindergarten life.
The focus remains on gentle care, building trust, and supporting socialization, while gradually helping children become more independent and comfortable with routines.
Play is at the heart of learning, with plenty of opportunities for creativity, pretend play, and early language and math skills.
Children practice dressing themselves, using the bathroom independently, and following the daily schedule.
By the end of the year, many are ready for short walks in the neighborhood, preparing them for bigger adventures in K1.
Kindergarten 1 (K1)
Ages 3–4 · Max 12 children
K1 is the first stage of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at TIKi.
Here, children begin to explore big ideas through inquiry, guided by their own curiosity.
Teachers focus on building independence, early literacy skills, and phonemic awareness, while continuing to nurture creativity and imagination.
Children learn to follow classroom rules, work in small groups, and take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
Kindergarten 2 (K2)
K2 builds on all the skills developed in K1 and prepares children for primary school.
Inquiry remains at the heart of learning, but children also practice independent work, completing tasks, and applying knowledge in more complex ways. Quiet Time replaces nap time, with independent free play in learning stations to encourage focus and self-management.
Field trips to museums and other places in Tallinn help children connect their classroom learning with the real world.
Curriculum / PYP
At TIKi, learning is an adventure of discovery, curiosity, and growth. At LANA TIKI, we believe learning should feel like a great adventure. Our curriculum is guided by the LANA Approach — our own philosophy of early childhood education — which combines the strengths of the Estonian National Curriculum with the internationally recognized framework of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
LANA stands for Learning, Agency, Nature, and Arts — four pillars that reflect our belief in inquiry-driven learning, empowering children to take action, connecting with nature, and using the arts as a universal language of expression.
N: LANA is more than our name; it is our promise. It stands for four pillars that guide everything we do: Learning (through inquiry), Agency (empowering children to be authors of their own lives), Nature (as our third teacher), and Arts (as a universal language of expression).
This unique blend ensures that children meet local developmental goals while gaining the skills and mindset of globally minded learners.
It allows children to explore big ideas through play, inquiry, and hands-on experiences — developing creativity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Daycare & Nursery (Ages 1.5–3)
For our youngest learners, the focus is on gentle care, trust-building, and play-based exploration. This is where we help our youngest children grow their ‘roots’ of safety, confidence, and connection.
Weekly themes — both seasonal (autumn, winter, spring, summer) and developmental (feelings, senses, professions) — guide classroom activities.
Learning is fully integrated: through an art project, children develop language and motor skills; through play, they practice social skills and math concepts.
A typical week includes:
- Morning Circle with songs, dancing, weather, calendar, counting, and naming
- Sensory & Motor Play daily, supporting coordination and discovery
- Arts & Crafts 2–3 times per week, nurturing creativity
- Early Math & Experiments 1–2 times per week, through sorting, counting, and simple investigations
- Storytime & Language Play daily, with teachers using repetition, visuals, and gestures to support children who are new to English
Play is both guided (linked to the weekly theme) and free — with children choosing toys, engaging in pretend play, and inviting friends and teachers to join their games.
Outdoor play happens every day, and Evening Care provides additional unstructured playtime.
Teachers observe children daily and document their development in portfolios. Progress reports are prepared twice a year and discussed with parents in individual meetings to plan the next steps for learning and smooth transitions to the next group.
K1 & K2 (Ages 3–6): The IB Primary Years Programme
From age 3, children enter the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) — a globally recognized framework that puts curiosity and inquiry at the heart of learning.
Rather than teaching isolated subjects, children explore transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry that connect language, math, science, social studies, arts, and physical education in meaningful, real-world contexts.
N: From age 3, children begin their journey with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). We chose this globally recognized framework as the intellectual backbone for our LANA Approach because it puts curiosity and inquiry at the heart of learning.
- K1: Children explore four units of inquiry, building independence, collaboration skills, and early literacy.
- K2: Children go deeper with six units, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and readiness for primary school.
Learning is enriched through weekly Music & Movement and PE lessons with specialist teachers, which support physical development, rhythm, and creativity. These experiences often connect to the current Unit of Inquiry, deepening understanding in a playful way.
Each child’s progress is observed daily and documented through portfolios, photos, and development cards.
Assessment is not about tests or grades — it’s about understanding a child’s unique growth, supporting their independence, and helping them take the next steps in learning.
Parents receive regular updates through Eliis, progress reports, and individual meetings to reflect on their child’s learning journey and plan a smooth transition to primary school.
The Learner Profile in Action
The IB Learner Profile is an everyday part of life at TIKi.
Children learn to be inquirers, communicators, and caring friends, to act with integrity and respect, and to become thinkers, risk-takers, and open-minded global citizens.
Teachers use the language of the Learner Profile daily — during circle time, in conflict resolution, and in celebrating achievements — so that these values become a natural part of children’s vocabulary and self-image.
Daily Rhythm
Our days balance play, learning, rest, and outdoor time to match children’s natural rhythms.
See our [Daily Timetable → ] to explore what a day at TIKi looks like.
