Early Years (Preschool & Kindergarten) at ISE - International School of Estonia

We are an English-speaking
PRESCHOOL and KINDERGARTEN where
children’s development is supported by the
International Baccalaureate
Organisation’s IB PYP programme.

As the entry point to the Primary Years Programme (PYP), our Preschool embodies the IB ideals of international mindedness and global citizenship more deeply than any other school in Estonia. Learning is centered around inquiry, where our diverse group of students explores the world through engaging, creative, and playful activities.

This truly international, multicultural environment provides a rich setting for children to develop confidence, a strong sense of belonging, and essential communication skills with peers and adults from around the globe. The core language of instruction is English

Enrolment is open to children from the age of 3.
Preschool / KINDERGARTEN programmes for ages 3-5
Learning-by-doing through play and questions
Play-based learning with elements of Montessori and Reggio Emilia
Our children enjoy fun social interactions within a multicultural, globally diverse and truly international environment

Childhood is the BEST TIME IN EVERYONE’S LIVES 🙂 Not only are you surrounded by people who love and care for you, and who support and encourage you, but it’s a time full of opportunities for growth and development.

EVERY child receives individual attention, because our groups are very small (no more than 8 kids per group).
Children develop in an international environment, because kids of more than 30 different nationalities attend our school.
Our English-speaking environment will support your child’s linguistic development, while playmates from different backgrounds will broaden their minds and horizons.

Learning and experiencing
new things

Through games and asking questions, we learn mathematics, music, movement, and art
Literature is full of excitement and adventures for us – every morning and afternoon, the teacher reads a book to the children, and the children can borrow books they like to take home

A typical day in our kindergarten

The day starts at 8:30 and ends at 15:30 or 17:30 (with free extended care)
There are two recesses during the day and classes are sometimes held outside. The morning starts with social circle time together with the teacher, including sharing and social games. We have very healthy lunch offerings in the school cafeteria. Learning-by-doing and play-based activities are run both before and after lunch. Lunch time is from 11.30 until 12.15.
There is no compulsory nap time, but sleepy kids can always lie down and have a rest.
There are five school holidays during our academic year.

2025/2026 themes

Fostering creativity

Building models, including musical instruments, houses and animals.

Our senses

We explore how a person perceives the world, play sensory games, and conduct playful perceptual tests.

Substances and materials

Finding out what happens to snow when it’s warm and to water when it’s cold, making paper, building a volcano and more.

The wonder of nature

Learning about plants and animals. The kids themselves choose which plant or animal they want to learn about in depth. They can grow their own flowers or tomatoes, for example, teaching them about plants.

Children’s development

We hold appraisals twice a year. The one in spring is child-led: the teacher only has a supporting role. In January and June, parents receive a written overview of their child’s progress from all of their teachers.
You can see what your child is getting up to every day via the secure SEESAW programme, in which teachers post photos of kids’ work and experiences and you can leave comments, ask questions, download photos and more.

Events & fun

The International School of Estonia is constantly organising fun events which preschool and kindergarten kids can also take part in.

We have a MUSIC DAY CONCERT, an INTERNATIONAL DAY, an ESTONIAN DAY, a EUROPEAN LANGUAGES DAY, a BOOK WEEK, a SCIENCE DAY and our fun annual SPORTS DAY.

Plus, regular field trips and excursions!

Fees