Welcome to WilderNest Family Daycare

Immersive Learning in Nature

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Welcome to WilderNest

Hei!

My name is Emily and I am the educator here at WilderNest in Kittilä just a short drive from Levi. I first moved to Finland eight years ago to study and have now made it my forever home. I have both a Bachelor of Education (Birth to Twelve Years) from Australia and a Master of Arts (Education and Globalisation) from Finland. I have years of experience working in Australia as an early childhood teacher, primary school teacher and also as a casual teacher at university. I am passionate about using children's strengths and interests to help them grow and develop and it is at the core of all aspects of the care I provide. Having three children of my own has further deepened my love of education and given me a new perspective on the importance of this care. Read below to learn more about how the program here at WilderNest will support your child!

I look forward to meeting you,

Emily Jokela

Meet Amelia

Family Daycare

What does family daycare look like here at WilderNest? At WilderNest, family daycare is all about exploration, learning and connection. I am licensed to care for up to four daycare aged children, plus one preschooler outside of preschool hours here at my home. The main language used by me as an educator is English.

Our days are mostly spent outdoors, discovering nature in Kittilä and Levi and learning through play. Indoors, we have a bright, spacious playroom filled with endless opportunities for creativity and development. With a small, mixed age group, children thrive in a family like environment where they can learn from and support one another. Meals are prepared right here, and whenever possible, the children love to get involved in the cooking process!

This intimate setting allows me to truly understand each child and their family, creating a nurturing and flexible space that adapts to their individual needs. Read in the next section how the care provided in WilderNest will support your child!

Why Naturopathy

Why Choose WilderNest?

Nature Immersion

Spending time in nature has numerous benefits for children’s physical and mental well-being. It encourages exploration, imagination, and a deeper connection to the environment. We spend our mornings walking and exploring the same nature paths. The video above shows this experience over the course of a year. Endless questions, learning experiences and fun has been had!

Holistic Development

We focus on holistic development by conciously providing activities that promote cognitive, emotional, and social growth, laying a strong foundation for future learning.

Family Partnerships

Family partnerships are essential in our daycare, creating a supportive environment that respects and celebrates each family's culture. Collaborating with parents ensures child's needs are met, fostering community and trust.

We actively engage with the local community, organizing events and visits to enrich children's experiences and foster a sense of belonging and interconnectedness. We regularly visit the Kittilä library which is only a 5 minute walk, spend time with the elderly in a nursing home, visit local parks and events and we also have a good relationship with the other private family daycare Linnunpoika where we spend time all together - often out in nature.

Community Engagement

Open-Ended Play

Open-ended play stimulates creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, allowing children to express themselves freely and develop a sense of independence.

English Language Immersion

Our English language immersion environment provides children with an early foundation for language learning, promoting bilingualism and cultural diversity.